I have lived in Pontefract all my life and I am married with two adult sons. I have worked for Wakefield District Housing for over 30 years in a variety of roles – currently working with children and young people, helping them to maximise their potential. I am also a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.

I was previously a Governor at a school in Airedale, however, I moved to Orchard Head and Halfpenny Lane in order to work with the community I know best.

I play football every week, enjoy running (having completed the London Marathon and the Great North Run seven times) and I am a keen supporter of Featherstone Rovers.

Having been to school in Castleford,  I went on to study a teacher training degree with History at Leeds Trinity University. After a four-year degree course, I started working at Orchard Head J, I & N School. At the beginning of my career, I worked in several years groups. I have been an Early Years teacher for the last 10 years, which I am extremely passionate about.

I believe that all children are entitled to the best start in their education. I have been part of the Senior Leadership Team at Orchard Head for the last 5 years and I am committed to ensuring that outcomes improve rapidly, that all children attend school and that we have high expectations of them. Recently, I have become the Inclusion Lead, which has enabled me to support our children and families.

My areas of specialism include Early Years, safeguarding culture and practice, improving attendance and managing behaviour to create a positive climate for learning. I joined the SPRB in June 2019.

I am a retired Headteacher of a school in Leeds. I have interests in music, fishing and motor biking. I am also part of an amateur dramatics society and I enjoy performing different plays. As I am able to, I enjoy coming into the schools to work with the children and support in any way I can.

Before joining Orchard Head J, I & N School, I was a Headteacher in Leeds. During my career, I have taught in a number of schools in different authorities and in a range of different year groups. From my experience of working in education for 17 years, I know that a successful and happy school depends on all of us working together and I am extremely excited about the challenge that lies ahead of us all.

Coming soon

Having lived in the Pontefract area for most of my life, I have a real interest in the education and experiences available for the children in our area.  I have served on the governing body since 2014 in various roles as Chairs of committees and Vice Chair.

My particular interest is Early Years as I am an Assistant Head and Early Years Leader at a school in the local area and wish to use my expertise to support my children's school as a SPRB Member. In my leisure time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and baking.

I joined the Trust in September 2018 as part of the Executive Leadership Team and am delighted to work with the pupils in our primary educational phase as Director of Primary Education. My educational background is in the field of science, particularly neuroscience and pathology, in which I hold an MSc and BSc respectively.

I am passionate about teaching and learning and supporting pupils to be the 'best version of themselves possible'. I am genuinely excited about the future for our pupils in Pontefract. Our work is rooted in ensuring they have the right skills, knowledge and behaviours to be a success in whatever endeavours they pursue.

I have been lucky enough to have worked in four types of educational phases throughout my career, including primary, secondary, sixth form and university settings. It has been a wonderful personal and professional journey for me as I have experienced pupils' first day in nursery and last day in university.

My mantra is simple - we are in the 'changing lives' business. There is no greater pleasure as an educationalist than being able to support the academic and personal development of a pupil.

I have lived in Pontefract for over 10 years. I have two young children at Halfpenny Lane J, I & N School and now that my youngest is at nursery, I have more time to get involved with the schools.

I am a qualified accountant and have worked for the NHS for 17 years in various roles. I currently work at NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group as Senior Finance Manager supporting their NHS contracts.

In my spare time I love spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy swimming, music and theatre.

I went to Larks Hill J & I School and The King’s School, and have lived in Pontefract all my life. I am married and have two daughters who attend Halfpenny Lane.

I am an Early Years teacher and have been for 16 years. I have always worked in the same school (Snaith Primary School) and have taught in both the reception and nursery classes.

I really enjoy music and singing, and playing the piano. I also like to go on bike rides with my family.