Meet the Governors
During the course of this most recent work experience, I was invited by one of the schools I worked upon – Mortimer Community College in South Shields – to become a Community Governor and I have served for approximately six years until earlier this year, when I resigned in the hopeful anticipation of being able to join the Governing Body at Gosforth Park First School, where my daughter Katie now attends in Reception.
Whilst I currently work for a large multi-national company. I have also worked in private practice at a senior level and owned my own services engineering company.
I currently serve as a Justice of the Peace, sitting upon the Newcastle and Tynedale Adult Bench
I am a proud father and north easterner and I want to see the school do well, so I am really excited about the opportunity to contribute to individually and collectively to this. I think that the experience that I have gained both working with schools, as a Community Governor, as businessman and as a Magistrate may provide some specialist knowledge, especially relative to estate management.
I’m married to Claire. We have one daughter Katie, our golden retriever Maizey and our black and white cat Bishop.
I am very passionate about the work I undertake and will try to bring enthusiasm and a smile into everything I do.
When I first left school I joined Texaco Overseas Tankships as a Deck and Navigation Officer, then after a few years I realised I'd earned enough academic points to qualify for university. I graduated in 2001 and became a Software Engineer. Throughout, this second career, I have predominantly designed and implemented software for embedded computers. Those are the little unassuming, forgotten and invisible computers that do a specific and dedicated job and there are billions of them around the world. My personal contribution to this vast pool of devices includes; a factory floor touchsceen data collection system for the food and drinks sector, a large scale public sector cloud system, a network router for the rail sector, an in-car speed measurement system used by a number of police forces around the world, an engine diagnostics system for automobiles, a battery management system for industrial and robotics use and now I am working in R&D for satellite monitoring equipment.
I have two daughters who are both at the school and am a keen advocate of STEM subjects, particularly for girls and work with the STEM Community to promote this where I can.
Being a governor is a great way to be involved in the school and with the community of parents and teachers and to be able to bring some of my meandering experience to the table is a privilege.
I am a secondary mathematics teacher myself (for 23 years now) and also a Head of Year for 21 years and have been actively involved in all areas of schooling and support. I firmly believe that education is fundamental to future success and hope to use my extensive experience to help in any way I can for pupils, parents and staff.
Rachel Hiles
Parent Governor
I am a parent of two young boys, both of whom now attend GPFS (nursery and Year 1). I am delighted to be a newly appointed member of the governing body, and to actively contribute to the school community.
In my day job, I am a qualified Educational Psychologist, working closely with children, their families, and schools across the North East Region. I have worked at strategic and individual levels within Newcastle Local Authority for 14 years. Prior to this I was a teacher in both mainstream and specialist schools. I have a comprehensive understanding of educational legislation, and particularly in relation to SEND. My passion is about helping to provide the best education for the whole child, focusing on Early Years education and social and emotional well-being. I am particularly keen to ensure that all children are safeguarded well and can fulfill their full potential whatever their background, or SEND. I hope that my role allows me to be an approachable advocate for the voice of children and families in the school community.