Dave Worley

Dave Worley

Kirstie Watkins

I became a governor in January 2015. I have lived in Haringey for the past 37 years and have worked with children and young people with special needs and their families. With a background in school improvement and special education, I am committed to ensuring that all young people have the best possible educational experience. My children both attended schools in the area and I wanted to put my skills to use in supporting a local special school. I am Chair of the Governing Board. 

I have undertaken training in safeguarding and child protection. I take part in staff appointment panels, and I attend school events regularly. I feel that it is very important that, as governors, we listen to students, parents and staff so we can ensure that the school continues to improve.

Martin Doyle

Throughout much of my teaching career of 40 years (35 years in special education), I have taken on a governor role in the schools in which I have worked. As Riverside's headteacher, I remain committed to playing a full part as a governor effectively engaging in monitoring and evaluating the school's performance.

The Governing Board is a very effective group of stakeholders who play an active role in the life of the school. They have the best interests of all our students at heart and ensure that their well-being is promoted and that they make good progress in their time at Riverside. I feel very proud to be part of this dynamic group of supportive and engaged people who give generously of their time to help us in our drive to continuously enhance the quality of our wide range of teaching and learning programmes.

Martin Doyle

Headteacher Governor

 Irene Mansfield

I lived in Haringey for over 40 years, and my children (now grown-up and parents themselves) went to school there, so I have great pride in our borough’s education.  I am a fairly new governor at Riverside, but I have been a governor before, in a local primary school, although the challenges and decisions were different from those at Riverside. My background is a varied one, with experience after university in the legal work of Human Rights NGOs, a break looking after my family and then a complete change of direction, working with my husband in our business. I was also Chair of the Classes at a Haringey synagogue, and I am involved in interfaith activities in Haringey. Those paths each gave me an opportunity to acquire the different skills needed in the organisation of a voluntary body, overseeing family life and running a commercial enterprise.  I was a magistrate for many years, in later years specialising in the Family Courts, enabling me to gain knowledge of problems and challenges faced by children and parents in difficult circumstances.  As a governor, I use those skills to contribute to the work of the Governing Body and thus to support our wonderful school and its staff.

Irene Mansfield

Local Authority Governor

 Despina Moutafis

I was delighted to be invited to join the Governing board. I have been a teacher at Riverside for 3 years. Prior to that, I managed Team Spirit, the after-school and holiday club provision for Riverside School. I have learnt so much throughout the years. I have had wonderful opportunities as a lead, or by being part of many projects within Haringey that support our young people in a variety of settings. This has given me great insight to what matters to our students and their families.   I find myself in a very privileged position to be part of this body to help support the great work we do here at Riverside.  We have the unique opportunity to see our students grow to the best of their abilities in all aspects of their school lives. I am enjoying being an integral part of this school and seeing it grow to its full potential.

Despina Moutafis

Co-opted Governo

Heather Back

I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to join the governing board as a parent governor at Riverside. I have been living in Haringey since I moved here in 2001. I have 7 children 2 of which are currently in special education at Riverside, 1 in Woodside and the rest either working or in further education.

Before moving to London, I worked with children with special educational needs and since moving to London I have worked in a primary school with children on SEN.

These past and current experiences give me a unique understanding of the different individual needs in children and young adults.

Heather Back

Parent Governor

Ryan McClelland

I’m really happy to be joining the Board of Governors at Riverside. I am a practicing artist who has been involved in education for 23 years predominantly teaching in SEND schools but also lecturing in Universities as well as running projects in Galleries and Museums.

I joined Riverside as the Art Teacher in 2019 having previously worked at the Bridge School in Islington as a Senior Teacher. From 2010-17 I was a Trustee of Intoart an Arts Studio that supports Artists with learning disabilities.

I believe strongly in the power of creativity and its ability to empower young people with SEN providing them with the opportunity to learn through activities that provide sensory, skill and conceptual development opportunities. Riverside has a rich culture of promoting all the art forms which drew me to work here, no day is the same and every day is fun thanks to the amazing staff and students at the school.

I’ve been a Haringey resident for 18 years where I live with my wife and nine-year son who attends a local primary school, and our dog “Barbara”.​

Ryan McClelland

Co-opted Governor 

Heather Boardman

Driven and committed to accountability and standards in order to make a difference to children and families for those with additional needs, having had the experience in my own family.

My qualifications include counselling and mediation training as swell as a MBA.

• A successful Headteacher of three special schools with Outstanding recognition by OFSTED.  Supported parents successfully navigating through the SEND systems in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for their children. 
• Has been involved with the following:

• School leadership in strategic, planning, SEND and development via mentoring and coaching in mainstream schools.
• Supporting schools with the issues they face re the COVID 19 pandemic.
• Independent Visitor for a large Special School in Kent for Boarding.
• Project management in schools including the establishing of schooling provision alongside a West London Care Home for children and young people with additional needs
• Advised on staffing matters in special and mainstream schools
• Mental Health training for schools
• Undertaken liaison with The Pudong Special School Shanghai, China for development of international working practice.

Heather Boardman

Co-opted Governor 

Ruth O'Sullivan

I am delighted to join the governing board of Riverside School.  Having been born and brought up in Haringey, I am pleased to have the opportunity to serve my local community in a meaningful manner.

I have always taken an interest in education and previously worked for educational charity Ambitious about Autism, as well as TreeHouse School.  I, therefore, have some understanding of provision for children with special educational needs but look forward to learning more.

I am currently a  solicitor working for the Government Legal Department.  I used to be the Public Affairs and Campaigns Officer for youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint, advocating for homeless young people who rely on state support for their housing, welfare and educational needs.  I hope to bring my experience of both the public and third sector, as well as advocacy skills, to Riverside’s governing body.

Ruth O'Sullivan

Co-opted Governor 

 Camille Lee

 I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to become a parent governor at Riverside School.

As a mother of 3, I have gained valuable experience in looking after children through my parental care duties. Nurturing and developing my children’s physical, emotional and cognitive needs and this has been a different journey for each child, due to their individual needs. I am currently working as a special needs assistant in the Brook Primary school where my youngest attended due to her complex physical and medical needs.

I have over 20 years’ experience working in the corporate banking and investment industry.

In the role of Parent Governor, I will strive to work proactively with the Board of Governors to highlight and improve aspects of the children’s educational needs.

With my experience I am confident that I would be an asset to the Board in the development of the school and its various projects to further enhance the learning and opportunities available to the students.

Camille Lee

I am extremely excited to join the governing board of Riverside School and look forward to contributing towards the brilliant work already taking place.

Having taught English in a mainstream secondary school, I understand the potential of carefully differentiated, creative education to empower the learner’s voice and sense of identity. I was always most motivated by instances of enhanced need, ensuring all learners can access and be inspired by their education, a value which is clearly core to Riverside.

Currently, I am a civil servant within the Department for Education. My work focuses on assessing the current Careers Education offer, developing potential improvements and ensuring that these pathways are accessible to the widest possible pool of users. With this experience, I hope to bring a live knowledge of educational opportunities and policies to Riverside, with an understanding of how these can be best implemented within this unique setting.

 Naomi Cust

Co-opted Governor