Nazia Iqbal – Chair of Governors

 I have been a governor at Middleton and Primary school since 2020 (first as a parent governor and now co-opted) and Chair of Governors since October 2022. All three of my children currently attend the school. I am the link governor for PSHE and am part of the Pupils and Strategy committee. 

I studied at the University of Manchester and completed a BA Honours in Religion & Theology and then completed a PGCE enabling me to take up a career in teaching.  I have held several posts including Head of Department,  Director of Faculty and Lead Teacher of Teaching and Learning.  During this time I also worked closely with the Local Education Authority on a number of projects for local schools and communities.   

I have continued to work as an exam moderator  throughout this time and  in most recent years have taken a career break to spend time with my young family, focusing on them but still allowing myself the flexibility of continuing to moderate. 

In my spare time I thoroughly enjoy baking, spending time with and entertaining family and friends on the weekend, going for long walks and reading. 

Kathryn Jakubiak

I’ve been a member of the governing body since 2012, initially starting out as a parent governor. My son is now in secondary education but I still have a keen interest in the school. One of my key link roles during the last 10 years has been to monitor progress with our School Improvement Plan which identifies the key priorities for the school. I never fail to be inspired and motivated by the commitment to driving improvement across the whole of Middleton and for every pupil.

I am the Customer Experience Director for a manufacturing company, a role that is heavily focused on people, driving improvement and embedding a customer focused culture across the whole organisation. 

I love walking in my spare time and have recently challenged myself to a couple of marathon length charity walks (that’s a lot of laps of Wollaton Park in training!). I also like spending time in the garden but most of all I love spending time with my family and friends.

Samia Ishaque 

I have been a governor since 2020 (first as a parent governor and now co-opted). I became a governor because I am passionate about children and how their needs are addressed in an evolving world.

I am a link governor for the Rights Respecting Schools and International Schools Awards.

I studied Social Sciences then went on to do a PGCE for post 16 education, teaching mainly Psychology and Sociology. Currently, my focus lies with my young family. However, recently, I have also been studying Psychology further, Counselling and Islamic Psychology. I also enjoy going on adventures with my family and spending time with friends.

Zafran Khan

I have been a local authority governor at Middleton Primary school since 2020. Being born and raised in Nottingham and having lived in Wollaton for several years has given me a great understanding of local people's needs and issues. I have completed a BSc in Computation from the University of Manchester. Many of my family work in primary schools as teachers and teaching assistants so it’s something I’m really passionate about. Ultimately, I am delighted to be a governor at the school because the first time I visited the school, it felt like a place that really cared, just like a big family where everyone looks out for each other. Finally, as one of the local councillors for the Wollaton West ward, it's my commitment and determination in making the area an even better place to live, learn and work for everyone. 

My hobbies include football, cricket and spending time watching Netflix.

Rachel Dekker (Dr R Whittaker)

I have been a member of Middleton Primary school governing body since autumn 2021 and I am the Safeguarding link governor. 

I am a proud mum of three children who all currently attend the school. I qualified as a doctor in 2009 from Manchester Keele University.  I spent my foundation training in Bristol before relocating to New Zealand for 2 years, working as a junior doctor within a different healthcare setting.  I commenced paediatric training in 2013 and I am a paediatric registrar working in the North East Midlands Deanery.  I sit on the board of the North East Midlands Educational Training Committee as one of the wellbeing reps.

I have been passionate about child health for many years. I bring a different perspective to my safeguarding role having been involved with this in my job as a children’s doctor.    

Most of my spare time is spent with my family and friends. I enjoy being out in the fresh air and watching my daughter’s football team at the weekends.

Chris Sadler

I have been a parent governor at Middleton Primary School since April 2022. I feel very lucky to have three children attending Middleton.

I grew up and studied in Nottingham, qualifying as a chartered management accountant in 2012. I currently work as an accountant for a global technology firm. I am honoured to be a governor at Middleton and with my understanding of finance, I am expecting to contribute to the continued success of the school.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with the family, gardening, cooking, walking and watching films.

Sophia Ahmed

I was elected as a parent governor in May 2023. I am very excited to take one this role and to help make a difference in the school. I have two daughters currently at Middleton. 

I studied for a BA Hons in Marketing and Communications at the University of Greenwich. I have worked as a Fundraising Manager for several leading cancer charities. My work involved marketing and promoting the charity and organising national and local events. I acted as a school speaker, delivering assemblies in both primary, secondary and colleges. I have experience in working with large multinational companies who had selected a charity of the year to fundraise for. On a local level I represented the charities work with organisations such as scouts, golf clubs and religious groups. 

I am currently a stay at home parent with my young family. This has given me the time to spend with my children but also the opportunity to volunteer including being a parent reader in Year One.

In my spare time I enjoy baking, reading history books, spending time with my family and friends and travelling whenever I can. 

Rizwan Ahmad

I am an accomplished educator and leader with over 16 years of experience in education. I have served in various senior leadership roles since 2013, including Assistant Principal, Deputy Principal, and Acting Principal in inner-city secondary schools. I have supported leadership teams through Ofsted inspections and consistently promoted high expectations. I have spearheaded transitions through excellent leadership, improved collaboration, and realigned procedures.

I am a former pupil of Middleton Primary and all of my children have attended/currently attend the school. I am passionate about supporting the school to be the outstanding institution I believe it is.

I have a BSc (honours) in Information Systems at the University of Derby and completed a PGCE at Nottingham Trent University, enabling me to begin a career in teaching. I have also undertaken an MSc in Educational Leadership at Buckingham University as well as a Senior Leader Level 7 Apprenticeship in Educational Leadership at the National College of Education. I am currently supporting senior leaders nationally in their leadership journeys as a leadership coach in my current role.

In my spare time, I thoroughly enjoy playing/watching/coaching cricket as a qualified Level 2 coach. Additionally, I love spending weekends with family and friends and reading about educational leadership.

Judith Morgan

Ali Watson

I have been a parent governor at Middleton since May 2024 and currently have two boys at the school. Having played hockey to a high level my particular area of interest is sport and am a strong advocate for sport and exercise as a medium for developing key life skills such as teamwork, communication and resilience as well as the physical benefits it can bring.

I have worked for the NHS for nearly twenty years, starting as a physiotherapist and progressing through various roles,  including research, project management, operational management and service improvement. I currently work for the ambulance service leading projects to improve the experiences of patients and staff. Within this role I work with and on behalf of the directors to deliver the organisations strategic and financial objectives within the challenging environment of the NHS.  I am also part of the Nottinghamshire ICS Quality Service Improvement and Redesign (QSIR) teaching faculty – delivering training across all NHS organisations in Quality improvement methodology and tools.  I hope to utilise these skills in my parent governor role and see how I can apply some of these skills to education.

 In my spare time I enjoy going for walks or bike rides with family and friends, running, playing tennis, playing the odd game of hockey, and going out for meals/drinks with friends.

Heather Tucker

I have been a parent governor at Middleton since Spring 2024 and I feel lucky to have all three of my children currently attending the school. 

I’m delighted to be a governor of the school  and bring to the role experience from my 20 year career in the private sector in Marketing and Communications. My vested interest in the school means I’ll remain focused on the ongoing success of Middleton and on driving continuous improvement. 

I also have a specific interest in addressing and protecting the needs of our children in a changing world. 

In my spare time I love to get outdoors with family and friends and can usually be found taking the kids to various football, gymnastics, cricket and swimming lessons - but I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Hifzah Khalil

I was elected as a parent governor at Middleton in May 2024. I have three children currently at the school. I am really pleased to have joined the team of governors and hope to support the school progress and achieve excellence.  

I was really touched by the warm feeling I left with after the first time I visited the school. I had heard so many good things about it, and I'm delighted to be part of the team of governors and hopefully able make a difference for the our next generation

Claire Sadler Penn

I am the deputy head teacher at Middleton and take a lead on pupils’ achievement, safeguarding and all aspects of pastoral care and behaviour.      I feel privileged to have worked at the school since 2007 and been part of the amazing journey that Middleton has taken to become a UNICEF Rights Respecting Gold school. I believe that being part of this journey has transformed the school so that children’s rights and respect are now embedded in every fibre of all that we do here.  I think RRSA has also developed me as a practitioner and a person and feel very passionate that a child’s primary education should be about achieving their academic potential and learning about themselves, their rights and how they can help to shape our global community moving forwards. 

I previously worked as an assistant head teacher and SENCO at two schools. I am an avid reader and enjoy leading the Y5/6 book club, reading and appraising the most recent children’s literature and ensuring that Middleton’s fantastic fiction library is well stocked. I really enjoy exercise and my weekly run with my Year 5 running club. Outside school is all about family time with my two primary aged sons and husband and involves a lot of swimming, football and climbing, with a bit of relaxing with friends. 

Sarah Cole

I am a Class Teacher at Middleton Primary School as well as being part of the Senior Leadership Team as Key Stage 1 phase leader and Maths Subject Leader. I have taught at Middleton since 2017 and have been part of the Governing Body since then.

I am responsible for the development of Middleton's curriculum, teaching and assessment of Maths across the school. I also support with our provision of Phonics in EYFS and Key Stage 1.  

In my spare time, I like to watch my football team Coventry City, spend time outdoors with friends and family and read (lots). 

Jenna Widdowson

I am a Class Teacher at Middleton Primary School based in Early Years. I have taught in F2 and F1. I am passionate about Early Years and giving our children the best start to their school life.

I have been at Middleton since 2013 and have been part of the Governing Body since 2021.

In my spare time, I like to spend time with my family, go on walks, read and travel as much as I can!