Meet the Governors

Shaun Haughey

Headteacher

As both Headteacher and a Governor of our school, I am proud to play a central role in shaping our vision and values. I have worked in education for many years across a number of local authorities. I have taught and led in a range of settings with various responsibilities. I have previously been a chair of governors of a primary school and have a secure understanding of governance.

Throughout my career, my passion has always been inclusion and supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.

I hold a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and am currently studying for a Doctorate in Education.

Teaching and learning remain at the heart of everything I do and I am committed to creating an environment where staff, pupils and families feel supported and valued.

Wendy Cheetham

Co-Chair of Governors & SEND Governor (Co-Opted)

My name is Wendy Cheetham and I am very happy to be a Governor at Marshside Primary School. I was appointed as a Co-opted Governor in September 2017.

My career background is in education. I have been a teacher since 1980, working in a variety of Sefton schools. I worked at Marshside Primary School as the Reception teacher for 13 years, including 6 years as the Deputy Headteacher. I left to become a Headteacher in another Southport school and I hope that my experience will be useful in my role as a governor.

I am a firm believer in the rights of children and young people to an excellent education, to feel safe and secure in their school environment, to be listened to and respected and to be part of a thriving, caring community. A child’s life chances and the choices they make when they are adults are truly enhanced by a positive experience at primary school.

I grew up in Marshside and still live in the local area. I remember when the site of the school was still a field at the side of the marsh. As a child I watched the coast road being built and I absolutely love the sound of the geese as Autumn approaches.

I am married, have two grown up children and four wonderful grandchildren.

I have really enjoyed getting to know the school again and working with the Headteacher, the school staff and the team of governors. I can see how committed they all are to the children and families in this community and I hope to fulfil my responsibilities as a governor of this school.

Joanne Swift

Co-Chair of Governors & Safeguarding Governor(Co-Opted)

Originally from Liverpool I moved to Marshside, Southport in 2016 but I have worked in Birkdale for 18 years as a Senior Project Manager in the Civil Service.

I joined the Governing Board for Marshside Primary at the height of the Covid Pandemic in 2020 and as I was new to the area, I wanted to be an active member of the community and become involved with the school. I feel that my project manager’s experience of communication, planning, risk management, staff wellbeing and stakeholder engagement would be helpful to support Marshside Primary School achieve its vision..

In my spare time, I love to read and I’m a member of a couple of online book clubs. I also enjoy going to beer festivals with my husband and experiencing new cuisines. I am also a volunteer at the Southport Flower Show and have recently acquired an allotment to start growing my own fruit and veg

Ian Moth

Vice Chair of Governors (Co-Opted)

I am a co-opted parent governor and joined school governing body in November 2020 and of September 2022 now the vice chair of governors.

My professional background is I am the Head of IT Desktop & Audio-Visual Technology Support for a Greater Manchester University with my duties also including technology based specialist projects, IT procurement and implementing innovative ways to enhance the teaching spaces across the University with technology to give a better learning experience. That sometimes includes thinking out of the box to provide a solution.

Outside of professional & family time my past time activities include cycling, hill walking, landscape photography, motor sport & amateur radio. In terms of football teams, I support these days its FC United which might give you a hint of where I am originally from.

The school has a fabulous learning environment ever improving, along with a great ethos to prepare our children for the next stage of their development. My aim is to support the school with my skills and professional experience (plus a few new ones in governance) to become a better more inclusive environment for the staff & pupils to achieve their goals. By supporting the head, my fellow governors and the school’s senior learning team in any way I can, hopefully this will lead to our children having the best education possible given the resources available and leading to formal recognition of the hard work done by all connected with the school.

Leo Evans

Co-Opted Governor

Having originally grown up in Northern Ireland, I moved back to England for University and moved to Southport shortly after graduating. I spent 18 months working for a Member of Parliament, firstly in Westminster and then back here in Southport.

I now work for the University of Liverpool, linking up academics and researchers with the public policy process. In 2019, I was elected to Sefton Council and I represent Cambridge Ward, which covers most of Marshside. I sit on the Children’s Services and Safeguarding Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

I have been a Governor at Marshside Primary School since 2018 and have loved watching our school develop into what it is today. I’m incredibly proud to be a Governor at Marshside and find it a very valuable way to give back to the community.

Alex Doyle

Parent Governor

My name is Alex Doyle and I’m a Parent Governor. I started the role in September 2022.

I’m a local driving instructor and I own a carbon neutral driving school – sustainability is a real passion of mine. I am proud to have assisted well over 200 hundred people pass their driving test, many having attended Marshside Primary School several years earlier! Prior to being a driving instructor, I worked in Halfords in various roles, latterly as a Store Manager and briefly as an acting Area Manager. I was in the company for 18 years, and the various roles I undertook gave me a valuable grounding for understanding buisness management, including the people and financial management. These skills have proved invaluable in my Governor role.

I live locally within the Marshside community, with my wife Kate and our two girls. (who attend the school)

When I’m not on the roads, I enjoy going to our caravan in the Scottish Boarders, and I feel holiday time with the family is especially important. I’m also a real book worm, and can often be found deep within a classic Fleming Bond novel.

I feel passionate about supporting the school, Head and my fellow Governors in delivering positive impact within the school community.

Lucy Owen

Staff Governor

I’m Lucy and I work here at Marshside as the Learning Mentor and Mental Health Lead. I have worked here for nearly 13 years now and my current role encompasses many aspects of school life including attendance, safeguarding and the wellbeing and mental health of our school community. I feel so lucky to be able to carry out this role in such a wonderfully welcoming and inclusive environment and I can truthfully say ‘I love my job’, if people ever ask me!

Chatting to our families on the gates at the beginnings and ends of the day are really important to me and I feel that building these relationships is vital to being able to support our children and families holistically.

Of course, the time I spend with our children, whether in the Hub at lunchtime, general catch-ups during the day or my 1-1 work with them, is the best bit of the role (most of the time!) and I feel honoured that they share their worries and triumphs with me on a daily basis.

I have two teenagers and a husband and my eldest has just hotfooted it off to Paris for university – a big adjustment for the family, but an exciting one!

As a long-time Beaver leader at a local Scout group, I have always felt that volunteering has added an extra dimension to my life, having also previously served as a governor for 10 years at my children’s primary school. I look forward to serving our wonderful school as we see where this new chapter takes us.

Linda Heap

Local Authority Governor

When I retired as a Chartered Accountant I knew that I wanted to spend some time giving something back to the community, having lived in Southport for over 30 years. I also spent more than 30 years as an accountant and I know how difficult financial information can be for the lay person, so I was also interested in using my years of experience.

I have 3 children myself and, although they are all adults now I still find the practice of education fascinating. I also have 2 grandchildren who live in the North East, so I can only watch their schooling from a distance.

But, in Marshside Primary School I found the perfect vehicle for both using my expertise and indulging in my interest in education. A wonderfully welcoming, child oriented school I couldn’t wish for anything better.

One of the other activities I found to undertake during my retirement was as a reader for the Beanstalk Charity. Luckily I do this reading at Marshside as well and find this very rewarding.

Jennifer Johnson

Parent Governor

My name is Jennifer Johnson and I have been an elected Parent Governor since January 2024.

My career background is in Children’s early years and Children’s Social Care, in particular safeguarding and SEN.

I have worked as a Social Worker for over 15 years, during this time, I have worked for several different local authorities and I am currently employed as a Children’s Social Care Team Manager. I am also a Practice educator and have a keen interest in supporting new practitioners with their own development and learning, I believe education, hand in hand with personal development enables individuals to achieve their maximum potential.

I grew up in Southport, left to go to university and returned in 2018 to be near family, I am married and have two beautiful daughters, one of them attends Marshside currently and the other has just ventured off to university.

In my spare time, I like to bake, cook and just be creative. This includes, drawing, painting and once in a while, finding a good book to read, I also enjoy going to art galleries and musical shows and trying new places to eat with my husband.

As a Parent Governor, I have seen how inclusive and supportive the school is towards all the children who attend and I hope to continue to support the school with their vision and development for the future.

Clare Stansfield

Parent Governor

Hi I’m Clare Stansfield. I’m a parent governor for Marshside and am immensely passionate about the school and the core values in direct link to the schools purpose essentially embracing rooted cross transferable skills for the pupils.

I was born in Southport and have never left this wonderful community. I have worked proudly in the NHS for the last 18 years, developing the autonomy of my role throughout –originally starting out at a health care assistant which inspired me to go to university to complete my physiotherapy degree. Following on from a developed career path specialising in respiratory physiotherapy, I now work in the community as a practitioner, supporting hospital avoidance and completing thorough assessments of our elderly population.

I also have a side business making primarily wedding cakes. Other precious time is spent with my two little ones and partner making happy family memories to cherish.

I joined the governing body in 2024, wanting to add a little nourishment, as able to my children’s journey and all their peers.

Anna Taylor

Parent Governor

My daughter, currently in Year 4, joined Marshside at the beginning of Year 3 after transferring from another local school. Her experience here has been exceptional — she now has a genuine love for school, which is wonderful to see.

I have worked as an Accounts Administrator for a company in Stockport for 14 years, where I manage purchases, oversee Health and Safety, and coordinate a fleet of vehicles.

Before becoming a mum, I was an experienced organiser and commissaire for British Cycling, where I organised and officiated hundreds of cycle races across the Northwest and nationally. I was fortunate to volunteer at some of the most prestigious road and circuit races in the country, from grassroots events to the UCI Europe Tour, often serving as Chief Judge. I was also proud to have judged the Tour of Britain several times. However, my favourite events were always organising the junior races for 4–16-year-olds, including the NW International Youth Tour (3-day event) and the CDNW Youth Races across the Northwest.

During the cycling season, volunteering often meant dedicating up to 50 hours a week from March through to late September — something that doesn’t blend easily with family life. While I’m not currently volunteering with British Cycling, I would certainly love to get involved again in the future once my daughter is grown up.

As Co–SEND Link Governor, I’m enjoying learning about this important area and am committed to supporting our school community.

Volunteering has always been a true passion of mine. It’s incredibly rewarding, and I encourage anyone with an interest and a little spare time to get involved — it’s good for the soul!