Dan Argent -Parent Governor

I moved from London to Whitley Bay in 2019 when my wife and I started our family. I have a son who started Reception in 2023, having attended Marine Park Nursery previously and he continues to love his time at school. I believe that school is much more than an education; it is about preparing our young people for the rest of their lives and I’m hoping my contribution as part of the governing body will continue to drive the success of MPFS.

I work as a senior leader in the Banking sector, where I sit on various governance committees challenging myself and others to achieve the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders.

 In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit, spending quality time outdoors with my family and volunteering at Rockliff Rugby Club.

Jack Christophers-Parent Governor

I moved to Whitley Bay in 2017 and feel very fortunate to be raising my two young children here – they love living by the coast and exploring everything the local area has to offer. After graduating from Newcastle University, I completed my Primary PGCE and have been working in primary schools since 2012. Throughout my career I have been passionate about ensuring every child has a positive and nurturing school experience and I am especially committed to helping children develop a lifelong love of reading.

I am looking forward to using my knowledge and experience to support the continued success of Marine Park First School.

In my spare time, I enjoy all sports and love spending time outdoors with my family. When I’m not out and about, you’ll usually find me at St James’ Park where I have a season ticket!

Laura Cooksley-Parent Governor

I moved to Newcastle in 2001 to study Psychology at Newcastle University and the North East has been my home since then. I live in Whitley Bay with my husband and our two daughters. My eldest daughter started at Marine Park First School in 2021 and I have been really impressed by how welcoming, caring and inspiring the school staff at Marine Park First School have been. Mental health is something that I am really passionate about and I hope that I can use my knowledge and skills from working in a Children’s Mental Health Service in my role as a Parent Governor. In my spare time I love to travel and spend time with family and friends.

Bob Dunn- Parent Governor

I grew up in Whitley Bay and moved back to the town in 2015. I have a daughter who started in Reception in 2021.

Professionally, I am a primary school teacher at another school in North Tyneside where I lead on P.E. and Science; these are areas I am very passionate about. I also have a keen interest in outdoor learning and hope to use my experience to support Marine Park.

In my spare time you'll find me walking our dog along the sea front, taking part in the Park Run or falling off my paddleboard. 

Hamde Nazar- Parent Governor

I am a mum of four children, all of whom are currently or have attended MPFS. Their positive experience at the school has been a key motivator for me to volunteer as School Governor.

I am an academic pharmacist, which means I have always worked in the education and training of undergraduate healthcare students at various universities. I have an appreciation of the need to create and facilitate environments and learning communities which support the development of healthy values of young people within an educational setting. I have leadership, governance and management roles within various levels of the School of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University that are essentially dedicated to this.

As a family, we are really active in various sports and exercise clubs and enjoy taking advantage of being by the seaside all year round. I am an avid crossfitter, very amateur netballer and coach kids’ Olympic lifting and Karate classes. I otherwise love cooking Lebanese food for family, friends and sometimes cater for the odd
event.

I share a mixed ethnic and cultural background with my children. This has been interesting to explain and contextualise to our children as they grow up. I think this has helped our children understand diversity, appreciate and respect differences and
also be proud of their own growing identities.

Emily Stanyon- Parent Governor

I first fell in love with the North East when I came here for University. After travelling overseas, my husband and I knew we wanted to return and make this region our home. In 2019, we chose Whitley Bay as the perfect place to start our family, and we now feel so fortunate to live here with our two children and dog!

 My professional background is in Risk Advisory and in my current role, I promote best practice in financial and risk management across government to help deliver better outcomes for taxpayers.

 I’m passionate about ensuring everyone can access and utilise excellent public services, with schools at the heart of that. Every child deserves a nurturing, inclusive, and aspirational education. As a Governor, I aim to bring my expertise, experience, and commitment to help Marine Park remain a school of choice for parents, where parents have a strong voice at the centre of decision-making.

 Outside of work (and when I’m not chasing after two young children!), I love spending time with family and friends, crafting and cooking, and exploring new places. Whether travelling to experience different cultures or enjoying the outdoors on foot, bike, or paddleboard, I try to make the most of life’s adventures!

Jill Bates –Co-opted Governor—Chair of Governors

I worked at Marine Park First School for many years before retiring in August 2014. I wanted to continue my association with the school and so joined the Governing Body as a Local Authority governor. I have seen many changes at Marine Park over the years, not least a school site move, however it has always been a successful, warm and friendly school that has kept children at the heart of everything it does. I look forward to contributing to the school in my new role. I am married to a local GP and have 2 (very grown up) children both of whom have continued into postgraduate education having started at Marine Park. I enjoy swimming, Pilates, reading and tea!

Elizabeth Souter-Co-opted Governor

I joined Marine Park in 1999 as a newly qualified teacher and have been proud to remain part of the school ever since. I’ve always loved working in Whitley Bay—a welcoming community with supportive parents, carers, and enthusiastic pupils.

At Marine Park, I hold several key responsibilities: I am the English Lead, Key Stage 1 Lead, and the Lead for our bespoke SEND intervention, The Haven. I am particularly passionate about Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and firmly committed to promoting inclusion throughout the school.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. I keep active through running, and on most Saturdays, you’ll find me taking part in the Parkrun at the Town Moor. I’m also a strong supporter of local businesses and enjoy discovering new places to eat out.

Hilary Waters–Co-opted Governor

I was lucky enough to grow up in Whitley Bay and after leaving for University, I just couldn’t stay away - returning home in my twenties. I now live in the heart of Whitley Bay with my husband and two children. My son is loving the warm, challenging and supportive environment at Marine Park and I am so happy to be able to play a tiny part as a Parent Governor for a school which provides the best possible start for local children.

I am a commercial litigation lawyer helping a wide range of clients solve a variety of problems and issues working alongside their legal, financial and HR functions. I am also a Trustee and Company Secretary for a national charity which works home and abroad supporting disempowered girls and women to challenge the injustice of inequality linked to poverty, violence and education. Known for my energy and enthusiasm,  I hope to bring these traits to my role. Outside work and my role as Trustee, I love spending quality time with my children, family and friends, especially outdoors. My other interests are my book and film club, travel and keeping fit, together with a new love of Lego!

Sally Williams-Co-opted Governor

I have been a staff governor since 2008. I am employed as an HLTA which involves me teaching in class while teachers have time out for planning, preparation, assessment and management duties. I work from Reception right up to Year 4. I also run a Nurture Group and assist with Eco Club. I am married with 3 children (one girl and 2 boys) and a dog! In fact my history with Marine Park began in 1997 when my eldest daughter started in Nursery. I began working here in 2001 so I have experience as both a parent and a member of staff. Outside of school, I enjoy walking my dog, running, going to gym classes and socialising! I love Marine Park. My children had a fantastic, fun education here and I want to help make sure all other children do too.

Amy Armstrong–Staff Governor

I have always lived in the North East and I joined Marine Park in 2014, after completing my NQT year at a first school in Northumberland. It is so nice to drive along the coast to get to work each morning! I am currently teaching in Year 4 East and co-ordinating science across the school. I feel very lucky to have the pleasure of working in such a nurturing, happy school, teaching fantastic children and having fun each day! I am proud to be part of such a supportive, encouraging staff at Marine Park and I hope that being a governor will allow me to contribute further, whilst seeing school life from a different perspective. Outside of work, I spend my time walking my beloved dog, trying to keep up with my fitness and most importantly, spending time with family and friends. 

Louise Carbado-Co-opted Governor

I grew up in Whitley Bay and returned to live here in 2010 after 10 years in the Midlands and have two daughters at Marine Park First School, with the eldest starting in 2020.

Having joined as a parent governor, I am now a co-opted governor and chair of the staffing sub-committee with a background in HR. I work as a School Business Manager in a primary school.

Duncan Thurlow–Co-opted Governor

I have been a science teacher at Whitley Bay High School since 2005, holding a number of positions in that time including Head of Science, Head of Year and, most recently, whole school IT system coordinator. It has been a pleasure over that time to have imparted my interest and love for Science to a generation of students from the local community some of whom are now teaching colleagues! 

 With both of my own daughters now at Marine Park First School it's a pleasure to be part of the governing body and to be able to give further to the community by supporting the school through my passion for education as well as the insight and perspective I have gained from working in the secondary sector.

Stephen Easton-Headteacher

I joined Marine Park First School as Headteacher in September 2011, having previously led Grange First School in Gosforth from 2006 and, before that, worked at Walkergate Primary and Ravenswood Primary in Newcastle. I feel very fortunate and exceptionally proud to be Headteacher at Marine Park First School.

Marine Park First School has an excellent reputation as a successful, large, and happy learning community. I am committed to working collaboratively with our positive staff team, supportive governors, parents/carers, and—above all—our engaging children. My aim is to promote achievement and the personal development of all pupils while continuing to build on the school’s successes.

Outside of work, I have lived in the North East since 1993 and enjoy spending most of my time with my family. I have a very patient and supportive wife and two grown up sons. I enjoy running and try to complete parkrun most weeks. I also enjoy playing basketball, though I rarely have time to play—and I’m getting too old to keep up! These days, I’ve increasingly swapped playing sport for watching it and am a proud season ticket holder at Newcastle United Football Club.