Norristhorpe Junior & Infant School

• Current Term - 24.11.21 to 23.11.25
• Resources Committee (Chair), Head Teacher Appraisal,  Equality and Attendance Governor, Link Governor for DT and Music

I’m thrilled to be a co-opted Governor at Norristhorpe, having initially joining the team as a parent Governor in November 2013.  I’m dedicated to working with the Norristhorpe team to ensure we maximise resources and facilities, so that all children have every opportunity and the support required to be the best they can be.

• Curriculum and Standards Committee, Resources Committee

I have been a School Governor for 15 years now.  I was a Governor at the last school I worked in where I was Deputy and later, Acting Headteacher. I am also a Governor at a Primary Academy within the Wakefield area.

Throughout my career I have taught across the primary phase and have led most subjects and Key Stages. I was predominantly a Key Stage 2 (Junior) teacher.

I was brought up and educated locally in Kirklees schools and have taught in various primaries across the Local Authority.  I thoroughly enjoy my role at Norristhorpe and have worked here longer than all the other schools added together!

I am keen to work with the Governing Body to help move our school to ‘Outstanding’.  I believe we are making great strides towards this goal.  I feel privileged to work with such fantastic children, staff, parents, Governors and wider community.

I am passionate about children’s happiness and are keen for children to enjoy and embrace their time in our school.  I believe that if pupils are happy and safe, we can support them to be the best they can be. I place a huge emphasis on pupils’ effort and expect them to always try their best.  Similarly, I expect pupils to be a good person and to get on well with others. I feel these life skills give them a great grounding for a positive future.

Outside of school, I am married and have two young children.  I enjoy days out as a family, shopping, eating out and going on holidays.  

• Current Term - 18.05.22 - 17.05.2026
• Curriculum and Standards Committee

I am currently a Year 6 teacher at Norristhorpe School. I started my career here as an NQT in 2018, as a Year 3 teacher. I lead History across the whole school.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I studied at Huddersfield New College as I began to volunteer in various schools local to where I grew up, in my free periods. I studied Early Primary Education (QTS) at Northumbria University, in Newcastle, for 3 Years. I specialised in mathematics but having always been an active individual, I was also interested in P.E.

I enjoy being active out of work, attending the gym multiple times a week and going on walks with my dog. This may be controversial… but I am a Huddersfield Town supporter. From a young age, I have followed Town (I had a season ticket for many years) and I still attend matches frequently.

I thoroughly enjoy my job at Norristhorpe and am keen to work with the Governing Body on the school’s journey to be ‘Outstanding’.

• Current Term 28.3.21 to 27.3.25
• Curriculum and Standards Committee​ (Chair)

This is my second experience of being on a Governing Body, as I was a Staff Governor at my previous school.

I am Assistant Headteacher of Lower School, which means that I lead Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3.  I lead French across Key Stage 2 and am also an SLE (Specialist Leader in Education) for Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Teachers. I have also been a Key Stage 1 Moderator for the Local Authority.

I thoroughly enjoy working at Norristhorpe and as a Governor and teacher I am keen to make sure the school continues its journey from ‘Good’ to ‘Outstanding’.

I have previously taught at Millbridge J, I & N School, Crossley Fields J & I School, where I was Year 2 Leader and spent time as Acting Assistant Head teacher and also Crowlees J & I School where I was English Co-ordinator.

Outside of school I love spending time with my family and friends, going out for meals and shopping.

• Curriculum and Standards Committee, Link Governor for Geography and Phonics
• Current Term 24.01.24 to 23.01.28

I have been involved in the governing role for over 5 years with Norristhorpe now. I worked alongside other leaders in education and I am currently taking up the post of Deputy Headteacher in a North Yorkshire school.

Throughout my journey in education, I have worked in most year groups across the primary phase. I am passionate about developing a staff team which delivers the most positive outcomes for pupils. When a school’s culture and environment is as its best, the children thrive and Norristhorpe truly demonstrates this; the leaders, staff and governing board have been unrelenting in their pursuit of greatness and a tour of the school truly shows this.

I am proud to serve my part in Norristhorpe’s incredibly journey and would encourage any stakeholders to see the magic that happens here.

Outside of school, I enjoy days out with those closest to me, going to the gym and travelling as much as I can.

• Current term - 16.11.2022 to 15.11.2026
• Curriculum and Standards Committee, Link Governor for Computing and PE

I am a mother of two, my eldest is now at University and is making the most of his student life in Newcastle and my youngest is in Year 1 at Norristhorpe. I especially enjoy spending time with my husband and family, having children with a 15 year age gap certainly keeps us busy. From spending time at swimming and dancing lessons and play gyms to attending various sporting events as well as hosting their friends most weekends. I enjoy travelling with family, going to the theatre, seeing comedians and anything that involves food with friends.

I have been teaching for 18 years now and work in a local primary school. I currently teach Year 4 and I am the leader of PE and Science. I always knew that I wanted a job where every day would be completely different. After graduating with my teaching degree, I applied for the fire service and was accepted onto their training programme. The plan was to teach for a few years then move into a different part of the public sector. Whilst feeling nostalgic about that plan now and again, nothing could offer the same job satisfaction as seeing children make progress and develop their maturing personalities with my guidance. I have also previously been a Key Stage Leader and Deputy Head but stepped down from both roles to spend more time teaching in the classroom.

I wanted to join the Governing Body at Norristhorpe to not only offer my support as a parent, but to share good practice and lend an understanding ear to the fantastic staff. Norristhorpe is an amazing school and I am excited to be joining them on their journey to ‘Outstanding’.

• Current term - 16.11.2022 to 15.11.2026
• Vice Chair, Resources Committee, Wellbeing, Link Governor for Science

I grew up locally and have lived in Norristhorpe since 2008 with my wife Lucy. Our two children attend Norristhorpe and love going to school here. I want to help the school to continue to be a place that children can thrive in and that they look forward to attending, as a recently elected co-opted governor I am in a good position to be able to do that. I expect the role to be challenging but have already received brilliant support from the school and the governing body members.

I have been a police officer for 15 years. I have worked in a number of departments including a training/education posting through which I gained qualifications in teaching adults. My current main role is supervising a team of officers and planning and managing large scale search operations. This centres around missing people and major crime. There are a number of skills I have learned through my career that I can bring to the governor role. I hope to use these skills, along with my time and experience to the benefit of the school, the staff and most importantly the pupils.

Outside of work I have a keen interest in outdoor activities including walking, running, paddle boarding, kayaking and rugby union.  I also enjoy spending time reading, writing and doing woodwork.

• Current term - 04.07.23 to 03.07.27
• Curriculum and Standards Committee, Link Governor for English 

I am a mum of two children, my son who left Norristhorpe in July 2023. He is enjoying high school and continues to remember his years at Norristhorpe as a very happy time. My daughter is in Year 5 and loves coming to school.  Both children have attended from Reception and as parents we thoroughly love the small community type feeling and the important school motto ‘Norristhorpe Together’. It feels like a big supportive family.

My main reason for becoming a Governor is to provide support and as a parent I am excited that I can hopefully can be a part of their journey to becoming an Outstanding school. I am looking forward to spending time within the school and especially time within the classroom setting. I have seen firsthand the wonderful teaching when my children were in Reception by attending the look and learn sessions. My children are loving their time here at Norristhorpe.

I have been a Qualified Veterinary Nurse for over 20 years. I work for a large veterinary charity providing veterinary care for pets whose owners can’t afford the full cost of their veterinary treatment. I Team Lead 10 nurses. I don’t have an educational background within a school setting, but within my job role I am responsible for the training of student nurses. I teach and assess their clinical skills. I am also part of a team responsible for clinical audits and quality assurance. Showing how we can change various working procedures and protocols to make sure our daily practice runs smoothly and efficiently as it can. I help with the standarised training of all individuals that take a position with us. All this helps to make a great working team.
In my spare time you’ll find me weight training and attending Pilates. We love family walks with our Cockapoo Nellie. Eating out, theatre trips, shopping and I do love a sunny holiday destination. Above all making those all-important family memories. I am really looking forward to the new challenge and experience being a Governor will bring.

• Current term - 09.10.24 to 08.10.28
• Curriculum and Standards Committee, Link Governor for RE, SEND and British Values

Hello! I am a retired teacher and have been a part of the Norristhorpe family, in one way or another, since 1999.  I originally joined the school as an educational teaching assistant and then was privileged to teach at Norristhorpe, for 17 years, mainly in Years 1,2,3 and 4. Everyone who works at Norristhorpe is dedicated to providing the children with the best experience of school life and are lovely people. It was a wonderful time and over the years, I have taught fabulous children and met great parents, some of whom I am still in touch with.

In the past, I have served as Staff Governor and prior to that, when my children were young, I was a parent governor at Roberttown School for a number of years. My own sons came here for work experience and they both felt welcome and enjoyed their time here.

My main reason for becoming a Governor again is to provide support and as a former member of staff, to give something back to the school, as well as keeping in touch, where I have made many happy memories.  Whilst teaching at Norristhorpe, I was the RE Coordinator and also had responsibility for Assemblies, British Values and SMSC, so I am looking forward to being able to bring my experience to help, if and when required.

Retirement has meant that I now have a little more time to volunteer, which is another reason for becoming a governor.

In my spare time you might see me walking around Roberttown, trying to keep fit.  I enjoy gardening, reading and am currently helping to update the RE Curriculum with Pennine Learning. 

I am really looking forward to the new challenges that being a Governor will bring.  I hope that I can do the position justice and be an asset to the school.

• Resources Committee

I have been the School Business Manager at Norristhorpe since April 2014, the third school I have held the position in. My background prior to this is in Financial Services in private industry. I am proud to be part of the team at Norristhorpe and enjoy working alongside our Governors to ensure that every Norristhorpe child receives a first class education.

Outside of school I am a mother of three, all sporty, and so spend a large part of my free time supporting them in their interests. When not at the side of a pitch of some description, I love to travel and enjoy cooking and entertaining.