Meet Our Governors
Governors play a full and active role in the life of our school. Our Governors meet regularly to discuss all aspects of school life. As well as attending full Governors’ meetings six times a year, Governors also meet as required as specific committee members. As a governing body, all of the Governors of Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary School are passionate about ensuring that the provision and education of each and every child is the best it can possibly be, working hard to secure our schools mission statement. Although governors all have many other commitments including jobs, hobbies and families, they dedicate time to visit school regularly to meet with the children and staff.
All Governors have a link to a class and a subject responsibility, see each governor for details below. Governors are also invited to fundraising and social activities. They also attend school at least one day each term on our Governor Days, when they attend Breakfast Club, Assembly, have lunch with the children, go onto the playgrounds to talk with the children and watch them at play, as well as spending time in the classrooms.
“Governors, leaders and staff share the same vision to provide all pupils with a rich and exciting curriculum. Governors fully support the school and are closely involved in its work. They hold leaders to account, which, in turn, helps leaders focus on school priorities. Leaders know the school well and regularly review all aspects of the curriculum."
Ofsted 2020
Chair of Governors,
Councillor Richard Forster
Safeguarding Governor, Looked After Children Governor, Year 6 Governor and CORE subject team Governor
My Statement
I have lived in Castleford all my life and I am committed to ensuring that children get the best possible start in life so they can reach their full potential.
I have had a long career in local government and am a professionally qualified housing manager. Throughout my career, I have seen the challenges that families have to endure and I have always been committed to making a difference and increasing opportunities. I have continued this in my role as a local councillor and chair of Governors.
As chair of governors, I see my role as one of facilitating challenge amongst the governing body by seeking out external information about school performance. This enables Governors to challenge the Head and SLT and work on school improvement.
As a Local Councillor, I understand the difficult backgrounds many of our children come from. I use my position to facilitate access to support packages and the services our children and their families need.
Furthermore, I also use my knowledge and personal contacts within other schools to seek out new ideas and approaches to teaching and engaging parents. I have also facilitated the children's involvement in democracy through personal involvement, discussion and arranging visits into Council meetings.
Jo Pollitt
Vice-Chair of Governors
LA Governor
Year 5 Governor and Governor for ASSESSMENT
My Statement:
I became involved with Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary School through my work with the Smawthorne Welfare Action Team (SWAT). I helped to organise bulb and tree planting with the pupils and worked with the pupils during litter picks in the Welfare. I was so impressed with the attitude and behaviour of these pupils that when the opportunity came up to become a governor and to be a part of the school’s journey, I jumped at the chance!
I live in the Smawthorne area of Castleford, but was born and brought up in Airedale, the daughter of a miner. I was a teacher of English for almost 30 years, working in Leeds, Doncaster and Wakefield. By the time that I retired, I was Senior Vice Principal of a large secondary Academy. I now spend my time travelling and working for community groups such as SWAT. Not surprisingly for a teacher of English, I love reading and do not go anywhere without my Kindle!
I passionately believe that we have a duty to ensure that all young people get the best possible life chances through high quality education. I am committed and hardworking, giving of my time freely and getting involved whenever I can.
Sophie Dixon
Headteacher
My Statement:
Part of my role as headteacher is to work closely with the governors. I report important updates about attainment and progress of the children and make sure that I let them know of the wonderful things we do in school, as well as let them know about things we need to do to improve further. The governors read the information I send to them and they ask me many questions about the information, this is all recorded and the minutes go to the Local Authority. I update the governing body noticeboard and talk to the children about the governors and their role. I plan for the governors to come into school to visit the children and see what their day to day experience is like. I am proud to work with the governing body to make our school as special as it is.
Joanne Watts
Staff Governor
Reception Governor, HUMANITIES Team Subject Governor and Health and Safety Governor
My Statement:
I have lived in Castleford with my husband and two sons for over twenty years. I have had the privilege of working at Smawthorne Henry Moore for fifteen of these years. During my time at our school, I have gained a vast knowledge and experience of our children, our school and its needs.
My roles have included; working in special educational needs, teaching assistant and as a nursery nurse. My current role is Pre-School Manager. Early Years is my passion and I firmly believe that a good foundation is the key to a good education.
I hope my knowledge and experience of our school will put me in good stead to work alongside fellow governors and our Headteacher to make our school not just good but outstanding.
Co-opted Governor
Year 4 Governor, Educational Visits Governor and CORE Team Subject Governor
My Statement:
I have lived in Castleford with my husband since 2002 when I moved from the North East of England for a job opportunity; I currently work full time as the Financial Accountant for the British Library based in Wetherby.
My spare time is spent enjoying family time, doing things like travelling, days out and taking my daughter to her gymnastics and swimming classes. As well as spending time with friends.
My first interaction with the Smawthorne Henry Moore Primary school was attending a baby group in 2009 with my daughter at the Children’s Centre within the school building, I got to see a bit of the school in operation during this time and I liked the feel of the school atmosphere. Therefore, when it was time for my daughter to start school I applied for a place at Smawthorne Henry Moore and she started in 2012.
As a parent I expect high standards, and support to achieve the best for all pupils, from all staff at the school and in my role of co-opted governor, I will work with the staff to achieve this.
Katrina Baker
Parent Governor
Year 1 Governor
SEND and Inclusion Governor
My Statement:
I have lived in Castleford for the last 7 years and have 2 children currently at SMHPS in Years 5 and 2. Both our children love their school and the school community. I think that it one of the things that makes Smawthorne special; the school plays an active part of the wider community and it has its own community within, which the children feel part off.
Becoming a governor for the school is a privilege and something I aim to give 100% to. Working close-by in Castleford, and only working 4 days a week means I can dedicate time to visiting school and supporting as many school events as I possibly can.
My day job is working as a production planner for a global company which I have been doing for the last 16 years. Recently I have decided to study and have completed Level 2 Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties and Level 2 Understanding Children’s Mental Health. I have recently started Level 2 Understanding Autism.
In my free time, we spend a lot of time taking our children to their after school groups, but we also like long walks, going to watch the rugby and spending time with family.
Becky Cooper
Parent Governor
Pre-school Governor, and the ARTS Team Subject Governor
My Statement:
I wanted to be a parent governor to help the school I attended and also my two children.
I found myself getting involved in school life and being a governor allows me to be more hands on. As I am local, I can be at school whenever I am needed, spending time with the children and helping behind the scenes.
My spare time is dedicated to my family; my children enjoy sports, dancing, football, rugby and swimming and when we are not taking part in these, we genuinely enjoy just having fun.
It is important for children to get the best out of school, making friends and memories within school is what makes you the person you are. I will be doing everything I can to help this happen.
Nadine Cowell
Parent Governor
Year 3 Governor and Governor for Pupil Premium
My Statement:
I have always lived in Glasshoughton, completing my education at local schools and then, after gaining a BTEC in Nursery Nursing, I began my career on the children's ward at Pontefract General Infirmary.
Apart from time spent as a Nanny, I have always worked within the NHS and I am very proud to work for this organisation.
My two children attend Smawthorne Henry Moore and as a former pupil myself, I have a great interest in the school's development. Like many parents, I really enjoy getting involved in the school events and I fully believe in the importance of a great working relationship between parents/carers and the school to achieve the best positive outcomes for the children.
The role of Parent Governor sounds rewarding and valuable in terms of learning about how the school works and being able to assist in its progression and this is something I am very much looking forward to doing.
