Meet the Governors
Governors are a very special part of our school. The purpose of the governing body is to work in partnership with the school to provide the best possible educational experience for its pupils. Governors can be contacted via the school. Letters and emails are forwarded to the chair upon receipt.
COLIN LIHOU
Chair of Governors
Health and Safety
I live very near the school and all my three children attended. I originally became a Parent Governor for the usual reasons - I wanted to make sure my children were at a good school. They all had a great time at Craneswater and I felt I should carry on as a Governor. I became Chair of Governors in September 2022 after being vice Chair for a number of years. I also have responsibility for health and safety. These roles relate to my job as a manager with BT where I worked locally for many years, but I’m now retired. In my spare time I enjoy what Albert Road has to offer, playing golf, supporting Portsmouth FC, and travelling.
ADAM CLOW
Co-opted Governor
I am a Co-opted Governor at Craneswater Junior School. My working background is information technology, have worked for a large computer company for 28 years. I live in Southsea with my wife and two children who went through Craneswater School themselves. I was impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff who are committed to both excellent teaching and the all-round development of children. They provide a nurturing environment in which children can grow into happy, confident and caring young people. I am keen to support the school along this path in my role as Governor and ensure they continue to deliver the same opportunities to all children in the future. My main leisure interest is scuba diving (but only in warm water!).
SUZY HORTON
Co-opted Governor
I moved back to Portsmouth (my hometown) in 1993 after a 15 year teaching career in East London. At the time I was making a shift from Primary School Teacher to University Lecturer and wanted to stay involved with schools in some way and becoming a governor at Craneswater seemed a great way to do that. I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone and the fact that I am still here reflects how much I feel a part of the school and its development. What I really like about Craneswater is the happy atmosphere and the range of activities that go on in and outside of the classroom; especially the school play!
My own career has taken me into local politics and I am a city councillor in Central Southsea ward, where many Craneswater children live, so I engage a lot with the families and support the local community in any way I can. I am currently the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education as well as being Deputy Leader of the Council. Nothing is more important to me than supporting every child to have high aspirations and attainment in all that that they want to achieve.
Rachel Fry
Parent Governor/ SEND Governor
I am very proud to be a Parent Governor. My son completed four happy years at Craneswater before moving onto Secondary School; my daughter is currently in Year 4. We have been so happy at Craneswater and I want to ensure that the fantastic work continues. Originally from Australia but now love living in Southsea, I am a teacher at a Portsmouth secondary school. I specialise in working with pupils with Special Educational Needs. Prior to this I lived in London and worked at a large inner-city school. I hope to use my experience working in education to benefit Craneswater.
JON MARKS
Co-opted Governor
I live 10 minutes walk away from Craneswater and two of my grandchildren currently attend the school, with a third joining in September.
I am employed as an adviser to a consortium of colleges in the South of England who support each other through peer reviews. Before my appointment to that role I was an assistant principal at The Sixth Form College, Farnborough. I have also held positions at colleges in London and Cambridgeshire, together with others undertaken at South Downs and Highbury. In my teaching career, I taught, amongst other subjects, English, media and film studies at GCSE, BTEC and A level.
My interests are varied and, in particular, I enjoy watching football, rugby and cricket. In addition, I have a long standing love of the cinema. I am a volunteer ‘crewmate’ for The Pompey Pirates, via The Literacy Hub and also a marshal for the Southsea parkrun.
I care passionately about the development of children and young people. I offer my support to the school and its staff in maintaining the highest of aspirations for all our pupils, including my grandchildren, and to each and every child in order that they may achieve all their personal goals.
ANDREW PRISMAL
Co-opted Governor
I live within a 5 minute walk of the school and value it as a vitally important part of our local community. The vibrancy and excitement of the children at such a happy place breathes very refreshing life into the area, and I think we all miss it when it’s not there in the holidays.
I run a small local business in Southsea and wanted to give something back to the community by supporting the wonderful school that both my step daughters attended and thoroughly enjoyed. I also sponsor the local cricket clubs' women and girls teams and I’m often found at St. Helens Cricket ground cheering them on.
NIKKI PINNOCK
Co-opted Governor
Inclusion
I have lived in Southsea for 25 years and love the community spirit. Both my children attended Craneswater for their Junior school years. Since my first visit to the school, I have been impressed by the atmosphere. The teachers are dedicated and nurturing and the children are happy, respectful and thriving, which I believe is a reflection of the hard work from all the teachers, staff and support network. My husband and I run our own business. I also volunteer for Portsmouth Business Support Bank as I feel it is important to give back to the community. I thoroughly enjoy being a governor and I hope I can assist in the governing body's development and future success.
RUTH LIHOU
Clerk to Governors
I have been involved with Craneswater Junior School for a number of years. All 3 of my children thoroughly enjoyed their time here and have made lifelong friends. I was a teaching assistant previously but have been an accredited clerk to governors since 2014 and also clerk for 3 other schools in the city.
Staff Governor
Headteacher Governor
Parent Governors