Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

The Governors at Riverside are a motivated and committed body who strive to support and give encouragement to the school wherever they can. They offer themselves as a critical friend to the Headteacher and staff and provide valued and challenging opinions at meetings.

The experience and variety of skills that these individuals bring to the school is welcomed by all the staff at Riverside. Although many of the Governors live some distance from the school they strive to visit the school as often as possible and are welcomed at a variety of events in school.

 Helen Caldwell (Co Chair)

I've just finished my second year as CoG which has been a busy time with Ofsted visiting & the move to the new building.

The role of CoG is very responsible & involves working closely with the senior staff & making decisions that are for the benefit of all the students at the school. At times I get to work closely with other members of staff & I really enjoy being in school, seeing how happy the students are & that they are settled in the new building.

When I can, I get out on my road bike or often during winter my mountain bike & I have recently started open water swimming. I also enjoy a good book & going to the cinema or on walks with my family.

Jessica Horseman (Co Chair)

My professional background has been in customer service and office management. My son has attended Riverside School since September 2019. Within a short time of him starting Riverside, it was very clear to everyone who knows him, his development, confidence, and happiness was improving greatly, and it was then I decided that I would like to do what I could to contribute and support the school therefore, I put myself forward to join the governing body. I have been on the board of governors since January 2020, and I have recently become co-chair of governors. I am very passionate about being a governor as Riverside is such a big part of my family’s life and I am delighted to be a part of a dedicated team who strive to ensure every child/young person receives a positive and happy experience at Riverside.

Annette Benstead (Vice-Chair)

I was honoured to be asked to be a governor in such a lovely school with such a dedicated staff team. It is a pleasure to come into school on governor business but also to various events involving the children.  

I have 24 years of experience in SEN in the voluntary, public and private sectors. I have been on the Governing Body since 2017 as a Co-opted Governor. I sit on the Progress and Achievement Committee and the Personnel and Wellbeing Committee as well as the School Development Plan Group. In addition, I am the Link Governor for Science and the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Governor.

My interests are walking the dogs (3), horse riding, cycling, Hull FC (rugby league/black & white) and fitness training. My favourite holiday destination is the Lake District, going on long walks, climbing mountains, cycling and going fell running whilst at the same time enjoying the scenery and the tea rooms.

Andy Hall (Headteacher)

I am proud to have served the staff, pupils and parents as Headteacher of Riverside for 9 years. However, I have actually been on the leadership team here for 19 years now, having started initially as Assistant Headteacher.

During this time I have taught most subjects, but I still take the most enjoyment from teaching Design Technology.  Although I have worked in three other schools during my career, Riverside will always be my favourite and I love playing my part in helping provide the best possible learning experience for our young people.

When I am not at work I enjoy getting into the countryside with my family and our dog.  I also try to get to sports events when I can (mostly football and rugby) and I can often be found at music concerts.

Jonathan Watkin

I am a Chartered Certified Accountant and work for a manufacturing company in Hull. I have been an accountant for many years and have worked in various industries including construction, haulage, NHS, milk processing and financial services. I became a school governor because I wanted to give something back to the school using the skills available to me, in return for the great help they have given our son with his education. In my spare time I enjoy gardening, the gym, paintballing (at which my sone takes great delight in getting me covered in paint), theatre, Steampunk Morris Dancing and walking the dog.      

Tricia Ward

I have worked in the Education Sector for 22 years and still love it. It is truly an inspiring place to be. My background is in Finance having previously work in the Banking Field. I have gained over the years qualifications in Accounting and Finance and more recently a Diploma of School Business Management. I feel that being part of the Governor helps support the school and the pupils not only on a day to day basis but long term too.

 Nicola Dixon

I’m a mother of 2 children aged 9 and 13.  I work at Junction in Goole, the arts centre and cinema in the centre of town, where my role is youth and community arts co-ordinator.  My work is mainly with schools, community groups, children and parents.  I’ve been a governor before at Kingsway and currently a governor at Parkside.  I’ve undertaken governor training in Ofsted readiness, GDPR and Aspire.  I take time to read documents sent to me as a Governor and see my role as to support, understand and challenge.  With my work at Junction we already have excellent links with Riverside and I’d be interested to explore how my skills could be used to support Riverside into the future.  My areas of expertise are performing arts, English, visual arts, community links and inclusion and access.  I’ve already been involved in Riverside’s Artsmark work and hope to further strengthen this.  I already have an ERYC Enhanced DBS check. 

 John Speight

My name is John Speight, I am 64 years old.  During my working life I have been a soldier and a fire-fighter serving South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for thirty years until my retirement in 2008.  Following that, I worked as a Health and Safety Officer at a Special School in South Yorkshire.  I have previously served as a Governor at Riverside School starting in the early 1990s through to 2014 and left at around the same time that my wife retired from teaching. 

My interests are spending time with grandchildren and going away in our caravan.  I also enjoy wood carving and spend many hours whittling.   

 Karen Davenport

'Making a difference' has always been my mantra, what better way than becoming a Parent School Governor.  I can utilise my skills and experiences to make a tangible impact to help provide the best outcomes for the Pupils.

Having previously worked in the Private sector for National Grid and Telecommunications companies, I have also worked for 10 years at East Riding Council in Environmental Health and most recently at Citizens Advice and 'blogging' for Family Fund.

My son attends Riverside School and I want to give something back to the school that's made such a huge difference to our lives.

Megan Marr

I have recently joined the governing body (December 2023).

I would describe myself as a caring individual with a passion for working and providing care for children and young people with SEND. I work as a specialist practitioner doing exactly this. I did my work experience at Riverside School when I was a teenager, little did I know that less than a decade later I’d be back but as a parent.

 I am mother of three, my eldest child was fortunate enough to be offered a place at Riverside School in 2020. Over the past 4 years he has begun to thrive and progress, not only in his knowledge and learning but his behaviour too, this is thanks to the hard work and determination of the dedicated school staff at Riverside.

In the role of Parent Governor, I would like to offer my assistance as well as my professional knowledge to Riverside School. Riverside holds a huge place in my heart and as a family has helped us massively and it would be nice to be involved more as a parent governor.

Please note that the minutes of full governing body meetings are available on request.