Gledhow Primary School

Gledhow was the school I chose for my two younger children as a school that focuses on its pupils’ social and emotional development as well as driving up academic achievements. It is inclusive, caring and pupil-centered. I have worked in the NHS and Higher Education Sector for 25 years in management roles and joined the governing body in 2014 to contribute to maintaining the ethos and high academic standards of the school and was appointed as chair in July 2016. There is a lot happening at Gledhow: the school’s expansion to three-form entry, a new building programme, senior staff appointments and new performance assessments. I am committed to working with the governing body and senior management team with input from parents, carers, teachers and pupils to ensure that these changes have a positive impact on the ongoing success of the school.

I am married with one daughter at university. I moved to Leeds in August 2016, after 31 years in teaching and education across Tyneside and beyond. As Headteacher, I consider it a great privilege to be able to strategically influence and promote our exciting collective vision for the school.

Hi Everyone. I'm Alex, a co-opted governor. I'm married to Tony and have two lovely sons - Henry at Roundhay and Arthur in Year 4. As an accountant I'm able to use my skills to assist in the financial running of the school - particularly useful in the current economic climate! I think Gledhow is a really great school that celebrates the individuality of each and every pupil and I feel proud to be part of the school community both as a parent and governor.

I am a co-opted governor and I have lived in the local area for 35 years. Both my grandchildren are pupils at the school. I worked for the City Council for nearly thirty years, most recently as Director of Planning and then as Deputy Chief Executive until I retired. After retirement I worked in the private sector advising on planning and regeneration. I am committed to supporting the excellent ethos and the future development of Gledhow Primary School.

I have been a co-opted governor since September 2016 and my son is a pupil at Gledhow. I am a lawyer by training and am working in a legal, corporate governance and general management role in an international chemicals company. I hope to contribute my knowledge and experience to the continued growth of Gledhow as an outstanding and inclusive school within the community.

I’m Sarah and having lived in Leeds for the past 7 years, I have recently moved into the surrounding area to the school. I am a Chartered Accountant and have 12 years’ experience working in both a financial and operational capacity, within Internal Audit currently but previously spending 9 years in practice as a Statutory Auditor within the Financial Sector. It is a privilege to have joined the governing body and I am keen to contribute to this incredibly important part of the community. I will use the experience and skills I have to contribute to the governing body’s role over the school’s finances.

I am Kate Blacker and I was elected as a Parent Governor in March 2016. I have two children at Gledhow, a daughter currently in Year 3 and a son in Year 1. I stood as a candidate in the parent governor election as I feel strongly that the inclusive and supportive ethos and culture of Gledhow Primary should be preserved during and beyond its expansion to a three form entry school. I also believe I possess the necessary skills to contribute towards the strategic role and functions of the governing body and to offer the perspective of the parent community in relation to this. I work part-time as a Child Protection/Social Care solicitor for Leeds City Council and I am also able to use my knowledge and experience of the law, policy and procedure relating to child protection, safeguarding, children looked after and children with special educational needs and disabilities when performing my role as a governor. In September 2016 I was appointed as the chair of the newly formed Pupil Support Committee. I am also actively involved in Gledhow's PSA which is a registered charity and regularly organises many fantastic fund-raising events, enjoyed by the whole school community.

I have been a member of staff at Gledhow Primary School for over 27 years and a co-opted Governor since September 2012. I currently hold the post of Deputy Head Teacher.

I’m Sarah Clayton, an LEA governor. I am married to George and have two children now at Roundhay High School. I work full time and I am Director of Modern Languages for the Gorse Academies Trust. I hope that my experience in education will be useful to the governing body and help the school in maintaining its excellent standards. I wanted to become a governor in order to support the fantastic work that goes on every day at Gledhow.

I'm Awa Lynch and I have been a co-opted Governor since March of this year. Both my children came to this school and had a great experience here at Gledhow. They are both currently in university; my daughter is doing her masters and my son is in the second year of his degree, so I have been part of this school for a very long time. Professionally I have been involved or worked at this school for approximately 15 years and therefore I have seen many changes within the school and have now worked under 3 head teachers. Having this depth of experience should enable me to make a valuable contribution to the governing body. As everyone knows my passion is sport, health and fitness and along with my role as Inclusion Mentor, I organise and manage a number of the school sports teams.

I am a co-opted governor with two children at Gledhow: my son, Dominic, in year 6; and my daughter, Grace, in Year 5. I strongly believe in their right, and that of every other child, to have equal opportunity to a quality education. As well as being a parent, I am also an experienced company director with broad‐based commercial knowledge and experience; leadership, managerial and financial skills; considerable committee experience; and drive and determination. These will all be put to good use as a governor, particularly during what promises to be a crucial and challenging time: the substantial changes to the Board and senior management, the school’s move to three-form entry, and not least the ongoing works and issues with the school’s buildings and grounds, all of which pose considerable opportunities and challenges! For these reasons, and to give something back to the community, I agreed in the latter half of 2016 to become a co-opted Governor in order to help continue and develop the school’s excellent work. There’s a lot to be done!

My children, Leah and Luke, attend Gledhow Primary, just as I did. As a former pupil I feel deeply connected to the school and the locality. I firmly believe that the school is the heart of our community and I am honoured to have been elected in December 2016 as a parent governor. I work in the public sector as a finance officer so I have a good understanding of the importance financial accuracy, reporting, analysis and scrutiny. As a parent governor I will take into account parents’ opinions when contributing to decision making. Gledhow has always had a strong reputation as an excellent school and I aim to assist in ensuring that the schools ethos and values are maintained, so that as the school grows in size it is also grows in strength.