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 

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.  

AMY HOYLE, STAFF GOVERNOR

• 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’.

• Curriculum and Standards Committee, Link Governor for RE, Geography and History
• 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
• Resources Committee, Staff Dismissal, Looked After Children, Safeguarding and Child Protection

I am very proud to hold the role of elected parent Governor at Norristhorpe.

I live in Mirfield with my Husband and our two daughters, aged 5 and 3. Our eldest daughter is in Year 1 at Norristhorpe and has adapted well with the transition to her academic journey, she loves coming to school and learning. I am eager that her younger sister will follow in September, so I have a vested interest in supporting the school to provide an excellent and well-rounded education for all pupils (both present and those still to come).

I have been a Police Officer with West Yorkshire Police for 16 years and I currently work in Safeguarding specialising in serious sexual offence investigations.

I feel that my skills and knowledge around safeguarding hold me in good stead which is why I put myself forward as the lead Governor in the areas of safeguarding, child protection and looked after children.

I have extensive experience of working closely with partner agencies and understand the importance of working together to influence and drive positive change.

Being a full-time working mum with two children, I am truly passionate and have a desire to ensure that every child gets the best possible education and opportunity to succeed in life. I have a strong belief in giving all children the maximum opportunity to discover their full potential through education as well as extra curriculum activities, whatever their background.

Out of work, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I also have a real passion for keeping fit and take part in Crossfit. In addition to this, I am a keen runner and currently training for the London Marathon.

I am looking forward to developing myself in this role and further supporting the school as parent Governor. I feel that a lot of my skills and abilities are transferable to the role, and I am eager to help steer the direction of the school for years to come.

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

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, Staff Dismissals, 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 - 04.07.23 to 03.07.27
• Resources Committee, Link Governor for MFL 

Hello, my name is Mark.  I am privileged to have been accepted as a Governor at Norristhorpe J&I School.  I am a Dad of two girls; Emaline, who is already a Norry girl and Genevieve who hasn't started school yet. 

I worked in the NHS for 24 years, dealing largely with corporate and clinical risk and more recently employed in the National Medical Director’s office at NHS England. I have a legal background in healthcare and have worked regularly with Courts, Coroners and the legal industry in managing claims and inquests for various NHS providers and commissioners.  I am passionate about the public sector and the fabulous work done across all aspects of the sector.  Now I work for a charity called Howlands in Dewsbury.  We facilitate arts and crafts sessions and other social events for people with physical and/or mental health challenges and for those who are suffering with loneliness, are isolated and/or marginalised from their local communities.  My main role is to seek out and secure funding and grants.  I am really enjoying the role as it heightens my passion to make a difference and engages my understanding of the diverse world we live in.

I am severely sight impaired, so you may see me walking with a long white cane at drop-off or pick-up times and I am lucky to have survived a stroke in 2019.  Both these lived experiences have introduced me to communities that are striving to improve the experience of disabled people.  I am currently engaged with the local NHS Integrated Care Board to support co-production of services to support stroke survivors.  I am keen to continue to encourage change in how we live so that difference or diversity is no longer an issue for anyone.

Away from work I am a staunch Bradford City fan, am currently enjoying discovering new music and am rekindling my passion for reading.  I also like to garden where time allows and am at my best in nature, surrounded by trees.

I look forward to further learning and growth in this role as Governor and hope to add value to the collective work of pupils, staff and parents in the excellent delivery of education and general life experience at 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.