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.

Meet our Governors'

Jessica Horseman (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.

David Percival (Headteacher)

I have the honour of leading Riverside School, working with an exceptional and dedicated team of leaders and professionals.

I have a wide range of experience having worked in both big inner city and small rural schools and been fortunate to spend time working abroad.

My hobbies include cycling, running and spending time with my family and little dog Scarlet who occasionally likes to go for a walk.

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.   

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.

Emma Lawson

I am a qualified Recruitment Consultant, Learning Support Assistant, EFL Teacher, Forest School Leader, Certified Outdoor Mental Health Practitioner and Outdoor Therapist. In my free time, I serve as one of the Directors and Trustees of the Forest School Association (FSA) and as a Cadet Leader for Humberside Police. Working at Riverside, I witness the incredible work of my colleagues as they support and enrich the lives of our pupils. My role as a governor provides me with the opportunity to support our wonderful pupils, staff and school.

Janet Huscroft

Originally from Hull and a long time resident of Goole, I worked in education for 42 years. As headteacher of an Ofsted graded outstanding school, I was committed to ensuring success for every child. Success was achieved by providing a unique child-centred curriculum, nationally recognised as one of the best in the country.

Since retiring in 2017, I have continued to support education by offering voluntary advice on school improvement and teacher training. I am passionate about helping schools thrive, ensuring every child has access to high-quality learning opportunities.

In my personal life, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren one of whom is a pupil at Riverside Special School.

I am proud to support and serve the school community and remain committed to supporting staff, pupils and families in achieving their full potential. I am honoured to be a governor at Riverside Special School.

Governor Information

Governance Structure and Remit

Governors Attendance

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