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Cliffdale Primary School

Meet Our Governors

The membership of the governing body of Cliffdale Primary Academy is determined by the Terms of Reference.

There are three types of governors:

· Co-opted Governors

· Parent Governors

· Staff Governors

Co-opted and Parent Governors are all volunteers who are not paid. The staff governors are all paid members of staff but do not receive any additional payments in connection with being a governor.

There is also a Clerk to the Governors who arranges and attends meetings and helps with legal and constitutional matters, but cannot vote on any matter at any meeting. This is a paid post.

Statutory information about the current governors and resignations can be found in the Governance Documents section below.

Minutes from meetings of the Academy Committee are available on request.

To contact our Chair of Governors please email:

charlotte.smith@solentacademiestrust.info

Cliffdale Primary Academy Academy is part of Solent Academies Trust.  To view our Governance/Financial and Gender Pay Reports please click this button 

 Statutory Information 

Academy Committee

  • Nicola Payne
    Principal

    Nicola Payne

  • Charlotte Smith
    Chair of the Academy Committee

    Charlotte Smith

    I'm a former journalist and CIM qualified marketing professional with an MBA from the University of Portsmouth, currently assistant director of Corporate Services at Portsmouth City Council, responsible for services including marketing and communications, market research and engagement, digital customer, and customer services.

    My parents were both teachers and headteachers, so I've been around education throughout my life. I think that is the foundation of my passion for the public sector. I was also educated in the city, as were my two daughters, and I am keen now to use my professional skills and experience to contribute to a school in the city as a governor.

  • Louise Matthews
    Staff Governor

    Louise Matthews

    I have worked at Cliffdale Primary Academy for 15 years, across all ages and abilities.

    I have enjoyed everyday from choir, sports activities, Christmas and summer shows, summer fayres where it is lovely to meet the children's parents.

    I relish in seeing each and every child become more independent.

    I enjoy walking my two Dalmatian dogs, gardening, reading, listening to music and spending time with my family and friends.

  • Helen Lawrence
    Staff Governor

    Helen Lawrence

    Employment/career
    Teacher on the Early Years site at Cliffdale Primary academy. I entered the teaching profession in 1992 and have been a teacher within Early Years for 15 years. Throughout my teaching career I have taken on a variety of roles including DSL, Head of Early Years and leading parent workshops. I am passionate about all stakeholders working together to support the whole school community.
    Hobbies/interests
    I enjoy being outdoors, especially when camping or walking with my family. I also enjoy trying to keep fit by attending a variety of gym classes and running.
    What I hope to contribute and how I will make a difference
    I enjoy being able to be a part of the whole school development. I believe I can make a difference by employing my Early Years' experience and expertise, and by utilising leadership skills established at a variety of settings.

  • Adelle Spindlove
    Parent Governor

    Adelle Spindlove

    I have a background teaching English through drama and currently work for a language school in Southampton, designing drama projects within the marketing department.

    I enjoy reading, sea swimming and live with my partner and two sons. I recently wrote a children’s picture book about my sons helping to teach typically developing children about disability and inclusion.

    I look forward to becoming more involved with the Cliffdale family, using my skills can support the school

  • Lucky Choudhury
    Parent Governor

    Lucky Choudhury

    I am currently a Patient Safety Partner working for Solent NHS Trust Adult Mental Health Services. I have four children, two of whom are neurodiverse.

    I would like to be a voice for parents, especially those from the ME communities and look forward to being able to support our children while supporting families.

  • Linda Turner
    Co-opted Governor

    Linda Turner

    I originally qualified as a nursery nurse and worked in residential and day nursery settings.

    When I returned to work after having my children I worked at East Shore School as a TA and developed an interest in communication. I proceeded to gain a MAKATON regional tutors qualification which enabled me to deliver training to staff and parents as well as outside groups including mainstream college and day services staff.

    I studied with Plymouth University to gain a Foundation degree and when Mary Rose School opened, I was appointed Head of 6th form a role which I continued in until I retired in 2015. In this position I was committed to develop life skills, offer work experience and enterprise activities alongside “Student Voice”

    I enjoyed leading the senior students participation in Rock Challenge which was an important event each year for students to develop their confidence alongside mainstream schools.

    After retirement I enjoyed supporting pupils at Cliffdale in Junior Rock Challenge and Arts Week.

  • Gabriella Aiyegbeni
    Co-Opted Governor

    Gabriella Aiyegbeni

    I have over 6 years’ experience working with nonprofit organisations and charities, locally and internationally, focussing on improving the lives of children and families, as I have volunteered and interned with them.

    I also run a charity back in my home country, Nigeria called Brace Up Africa, because I am passionate about supporting and empowering children and families to live independently as well as working with them to improve their wellbeing both personally and socially.

    Over the years, I committed myself to community engagement using volunteering as a tool to impact lives in any way possible. I have a background in social work as my first degree was in social work. I am currently studying at the University of Portsmouth to obtain a master’s in social work. In the course of this, I completed my first placement at Cliffdale Academy as a Student Social Worker where I supported the family support workers unit to cater for the needs of children at the school and their families, advocate for children and families to help them get the support they need to function as independently as possible in the community.

Governance Documents