I have been working in education for 24 years. I have taught across the age range in six different primary schools in Leeds and I am currently on my second headship. I have also led two schools through three successful Ofsted inspections. I became a Local Leader in Education in 2013. This involves me working with other local schools in developing their leadership skills across the primary phase. I have also been a Chair of Governors of a local primary school too. I joined Beeston Primary School, as Headteacher in 2015. This is by far my favourite school to work for in Leeds. There is something so special about our Beeston community. We have fantastic pupils, talented staff and many supportive families. The life of our school is driven by enthusiasm and a desire to achieve. Outside of school, I am a proud father to two children (Lucas and Emilia) who attend a local high school in Leeds. I also have a fat ginger cat called Thomas!

 Andrew Scopes is the Chair of Governors. He lives locally and represents the area as an elected Councillor for the Beeston and Holbeck ward. He became a parent Governor when his daughter started at the school in September 2012 (she is now at Secondary School but his younger children are now at Beeston Primary) with a desire to ensure the school was the best it can be. He is passionate about encouraging the love of learning!

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Monitoring Duties: Performance Management and Pay, Pupil Premium and Catch up, Maths

Term of Office: November 2020 to – 2024

 

Interests to declare: Elected Councillor

 I joined the Governing Board in 2015, originally as a Co-opted Governor and more recently as a Parent Governor.  Professionally, I am the Business Development Director for Robertson Construction supporting the Managing Director as part of the Senior Leadership Team and accountable for the delivery of the Company’s budget and the management of the business.  Transferable skills from my professional career are proving to be beneficial in my role within the Governing Board.  Of the roles I cover on the Governing Board, ensuring that Beeston Primary School has a child centred and co-ordinated approach to safeguarding is my top priority.

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Monitoring Duties: Child Protection, Children Looked After, Health and Safety, Pay Appeals 

Term of office: 19/11/2020 - 18/11/2024

 Register of Interests: Nothing to declare (unless I need to declare my son at school)

I have been the Deputy Headteacher at Beeston Primary School since 2008 and been instrumental in driving school improvement.  I have led the school through three 'Good' Ofsted Inspections as well as successfully supporting its expansion from a two to a three-form entry school; there have been significant changes to the building and the staffing structure throughout this time but the heart of the school has remained strong and passionately focussed on the wonderful children and ensuring that they are safe, engaged and ready to enjoy and achieve.  I love working at Beeston Primary School and I am always so proud of the children, staff and parents who make it an exciting and happy place to learn.     As a Local Leader of Education and Lead Moderator for Leeds Local Authority, I am also able to use my skills to support school improvement across the city of Leeds.     Outside of school, I am a Mum to two girls (Ella and Millie).  Technology is changing and advancing at such a fast pace, it is certain that they will grow up in a very different world from the one which I grew up in.  My hopes are that they develop the resilience, independence, collaboration skills and the Growth Mindset needed for a lifelong love of learning.     School forms the foundation and building blocks for the future.  I know how important my role as part of the Leadership Team and Governing Body is in shaping the future of the children at Beeston Primary School and remain focussed on giving all children the very best start in life.

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Monitoring Duties: Training

I have worked at Beeston Primary School for 10 years now. When I first arrived, I taught Year 6 for several years and have since taught across school. I have played an instrumental part in leading Curriculum, Computing and English across the school and have worked closely with many key advisors across the Local Authority. Prior to Beeston Primary, I worked for Kirklees Council and taught Years 3, 4 and 5 and lead PE across the whole school – I have absolutely loved teaching all of these year groups and believe that these experiences have provided me with excellent foundations in order to lead and drive whole school improvement. I am currently in my second year as Deputy Headteacher and was Assistant Headteacher in KS1 and KS2 for a number of years prior to this. I have built strong relationships with many of our families, having taught many of your children over this time. I believe that Beeston Primary supports children to be wholly rounded individuals, ready to be life-long learners and to make a positive difference in an ever-changing world. I strongly believe that school is the opportunity for children to discover and unlock hidden talents and I am looking forward to seeing your children flourish here.

I qualified as a teacher in 2016 and completed my NQT year in Year 3 at a Merseyside school before moving across the Pennines; I have been at Beeston Primary ever since. I am very proud to work at such a special school. Since starting here in 2017, I have led Science and raised standards in teaching and learning, working with a range of Science experts along the way. I now also lead DT and Lower Key Stage 2, having previously led Upper Key Stage 2. Part of this role includes mentoring new teachers and ensuring there are consistently high standards across the year groups, giving our young people the very best start to their education. My colleagues elected me as Staff Governor in October 2023. At home, I am a very proud cat Mum to two ragdolls, Ivy and Gracie.

My first connection with Beeston Primary School was via a volunteering programme which I arranged through my employer. This was a reading programme supporting Year 1 and Year 2 pupils. I was so impressed by the school’s culture and ethos that I continued to volunteer on my non-working day and ultimately, this led me to a governing role. I am a co-opted governor with monitoring responsibility for SEND. This entails me liaising with the SEN co-ordinator and her team and reporting back findings to the full governing board. Although I am not employed within the educational sector, my varied skillset evolved from 34 years working within the banking sector is proving useful and the school’s governing board is enriched by a diverse set of skills, backgrounds and views. The staff at the school are exceptional, committed professionals, eager to ensure all pupils thrive and achieve to the best of their ability which is why I am delighted to support the school in a governing capacity.

 

Monitoring Duty: Pay Appeals, Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

 

Term of Office: 22/5/2019 – 21/5/2023

Register of Interests: Nothing to declare

II am a HR Business Partner currently working for Leeds Community Health Trust supporting Children’s Business Unit. I am interested to know and understand how the work  of community health supports children and families. Prior to my current position I worked for over 30 years for Leeds City Council, latterly providing HR services within schools across the city. My HR experience developed my interest in becoming a school governor, using my skills and knowledge to support the Headteacher and his team to deliver the best outcomes for all children. I have specific Governor responsibility for Formal Complaints and Data Protection within school.

 

Monitoring Duty: Performance Management and Pay Appeals, British Values and Equality, Data protection and Formal Complaints

 

Term of office: Term of Office:  2017 – 2025

Register of Interests: Nothing to declare

I am a local resident and former pupil of Beeston Primary School. My career has been in the information technology sector, defining solutions in the financial services sector. I currently work for a Leeds based charity that helps people with problem debt. I recognise Beeston Primary School as a tremendously valuable part of the fabric of our community. I have joined the governing board as a co-opted member in the hope that I can provide some support and assistance to the school as it strives to deliver successful outcomes for our children.

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Register of Interests: Nothing to declare.

I am a parent governor with two children at Beeston Primary School and another in high school. I'm also a mature Law student with a keen interest in Education Law. After many years of education and raising children, including kinship and SEND children, I have much experience of the trials and triumphs of the education system from the perspective of a parent/carer and a student. I believe that every child deserves to learn in an engaging, supportive and impartial environment that encourages resilience and curiosity

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Register of Interests: Nothing to declare.

I am Reverend June Cockburn. I am the Vicar at the local Church, St Mary the Virgin in Beeston. I have been in post since January 2024. Before training to be a Priest I was a primary school teacher for 25 years. I worked mainly in Years 5 and 6 for most of my teaching career and specialized in Reading and Writing and Speaking and Listening in Primary school children. I taught SATS Booster groups in Reading, Writing and Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation for many years and pupils in my care always made good progress. I was also trained as a Reading Recovery/Every Child a Reader (ECaR) specialist teacher. I believe children should be taught to become independent learners and teaching and learning should be enjoyable – even if it is hard at times. My mantra regarding children’s learning is: “If a child can, they must.” I have served as a Governor in schools across Bradford, Leeds and Huddersfield over the years, covering monitoring responsibilities in Community Engagement and Reading and Writing. Monitoring Responsibilities: Early Reading Term of Office: July 2024 – July 2028 Register of Interest: Nothing to Declare

I am a Co-opted Governor, joining the Governing Board in September 2025. I have two grandchildren who attend Beeston Primary School, one in Year 6 and one in Early Years. I’ve always been impressed with the school whenever I’ve attended events of a varying nature over the years. The ethos of the school is fabulous, the staff are caring and highly professional, committed to the wellbeing and academic progress of their pupils. Hence, I am delighted to have this opportunity to support the school in my capacity as a governor.   I am currently semi-retired and work as an academic tutor for English and English Literature. Previously, I worked in secondary education as an English teacher for over 30 years. During that time, I was head of department in two schools for over ten years and Assistant Headteacher for fourteen years. I had a wide range of responsibilities as a Senior Leader but most significantly I led on Teaching and Learning and Literacy across the curriculum, my passions. I was also responsible for Primary Transition on curriculum matters for a number of years. Hence, I have a wealth of experience and expertise with regard to leadership and monitoring in the quest to secure school improvement. I am hoping that I will have much to offer Beeston Primary School as a member of the Governing body in terms of my skills set, my energies and my enthusiasm. I am passionate about child centered education with inclusivity as a high priority. I believe strongly that every young person has the right to receive a fully rounded educational experience of the highest quality. Monitoring Duties: Register of Interests: Nothing to declare.