Nazia Iqbal – Chair of Governors

I have been a parent governor at Middleton and Primary school since 2020 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. 

Andrew Hall

I have been a governor at Middleton Primary and Nursery School since 2010, joining the governing body in the same term as my daughter started in Foundation 2.  In my first two years I focussed on the school’s work in modern foreign languages, maths, humanities and school improvement.  In addition, I took a particular interest in the development of the Rights Respecting Schools award as a core part of celebrating the school’s diverse community and supporting learning around rights, values, behaviours and the understanding of different cultures.  I took on the role of Chair of Governors in January 2013 and, during my time as chair until October 2022, have supported the school’s expansion along with the necessary investment in new facilities to deliver this whilst maintaining the culture, ethos and educational attainment of the school. 

I grew up in Norfolk and came to the East Midlands in 1996 to study economics at Loughborough University.  Following graduation in 2000 I remained in the area and worked in various roles at Nottingham City Council where I attained an MSc in Urban Regeneration.  I moved into the NHS in 2009 and currently manage the Surgery Division of the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, as well as being a Non-Executive Director on the Board of the ‘NEMS’ out of hours primary care service in Nottinghamshire.  I have three children, all of whom have attended Middleton and are now progressing through secondary and sixth form education.

In my spare time I enjoy watching my sons play football, long walks in the country (especially if they involve a decent pub meal) and occasionally finding time to play the guitar.

Sarah West Valstar 

I have been a parent governor at Middleton School since 2018 and currently have two children in the school. I chair the Pupil and Strategy committee and am link governor for SEND. 

I completed a BA in Theatre and then a PGCE at the University of Birmingham before embarking on a teaching career. I have been Head of Performing Arts/Drama in secondary schools and colleges, both private and comprehensive. During this time I also examined for GCSE and A-level exam boards, as well as for the LAMDA Speech and Language qualifications. In more recent years, I began working for the theatre industry and now work for Nottingham Playhouse as a Participation Producer, project managing and delivering on community and school programmes. 

In my spare time, I like to direct theatre, dance, play Capoeira, go to see live music, walk in the countryside and read fiction books.

Ghufran Shah

I’ve been a governor at Middleton Primary and Nursery School since 2014. In 2012 I co-founded a global software company to provide customers with a comprehensive strategic IT roadmap, which allows them to tie investment in IT services directly to business outcomes. 

I’m a co-author of many IBM books  in enterprise service management, and take a keen interest in school governance around policies and optimisation and also community engagement. I am also on the Academic Advisory Board of Bluecoat Wollaton Academy.

Most of my spare time is spent with my family, and I try and squeeze in my passion for cycling, traveling and reading. I also regularly engage with the University of Nottingham by setting real-world employer challenges to law students.

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’m also a member of the Pupils and Strategy committee. 

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 parent governor since 2020. I became a governor because I am passionate about children and how their needs are addressed in an evolving world.

I am on the Pupils and Strategy Committee and the Pay Committee; I am also a link governor for the Rights Respecting Schools Award and now a link governor for the Early Years education at the school. 

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 am in the early stages of setting up my own business related to wellbeing. 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.

Shashi Bhogal

I have been committed to the Education sector for the past 18 years which has led me to become a Governor at Middleton, where my daughter also attends. I am one of the two governors with a responsibility for Safeguarding. My background in Education started with teaching and learning in Primary Schools across the East London Boroughs and the City of Nottingham.  My current specialism is in advocacy for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities for pupils aged 3 - 18 years and I am soon to qualify as a Specialist Dyslexia Assessor.  In my previous experience of being a Designated Safeguarding Lead in a Primary School, I quickly learned that keeping children safe in education is crucial to enable all pupils to succeed in a safe, settled and valued environment.  Therefore, being a part of the Governing Body would certainly help to support our school in ensuring that the needs of our pupils are met with the highest level of care and diligence.  I believe it is important for me to champion and continue to support the fantastic work that our school community are already doing.  My other interests, when time allows, are spent discovering England's National Trust sites with my daughter, admiring classic cars (would like to own), along with swimming, ice skating, reading blogs about mindfulness and catching up with the occasional Netflix series.  

Rachel Dekker (Dr R Whittaker)

I have been a member of Middleton Primary school governing body since autumn 2021 and I am one of the Safeguarding governors and part of the Pupils and Strategy committee. 

I am a proud mum of three children, two of whom attend the school and a younger one still at nursery. 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.

Sylvia Oates

I have been a parent governor at Middleton since spring 2022 and currently have two daughters at school. My particular areas of interest are special educational needs and disabilities, and pupil and staff wellbeing.

Children and young people are my passion; for all of my adult life I have undertaken voluntary roles working with or in support of children, including setting up a homework club for children with English as an additional language and a project that took children from low income families on residential weekends away when at university in Leeds, to running a Brownie group in London. More recently I have had the privilege of being the Chair of Wollaton Park Preschool for four years, as well as the safeguarding lead on its committee.

I am MD of a company that supports towns and cities to be safer and more attractive places to socialise. I work closely with the Home Office and am on an advisory committee to UK Government in relation to the hospitality recovery strategy. I work with local authorities, police forces, businesses, trade associations and third sector organisations across the country to encourage closer partnership working.

In my spare time I enjoy live music and performances, going out for a meal or a drink and spending time with my family and friends.

Chris Sadler

I have been a parent governor at Middleton Primary School since April 2022. I feel very lucky to have two children attending Middleton with a third starting in a few years’ time.

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.

Hanzey Brown

I have been a parent governor since April 2022 and I have a son who is attending Middleton.

I was born in Istanbul and have been living in Nottingham since 2002. I studied Econometrics at the University of Istanbul and completed my Masters in Strategic Financial Management at Derby University in 2006. Since then, I have been working in finance and currently I am working as a Finance Manager of a global technology company that provides technological solutions to schools.

I am very happy to be part of Middleton and one of its parent governors. I am honoured that I have been given the opportunity to contribute to the school and its decision-making to give the best education to its pupils. 

In my spare time I enjoy exercising, visiting historical places around the country with my family, cooking with my children and taking part in different charitable events. 

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 and English 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 Reading and Writing across the school. I also support with the leading 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!