Purston Infant School Governing Body for 2022 – 2023 is as follows:
Mr A Johnson – Chair –
Hello my name is Alan and I am a retired Chartered Surveyor with almost 50 years experience in construction – the last 23 years spent in the Estates Departments of Huddersfield and Leeds Universities.
Purston Infant School to me epitomises everything a local community school should be. All the staff employed there have the children’s interests at the forefront of all they do. I particularly like the reference to ‘children’s voice’ repeated in all the school’s strategic documents.
Outside of school I am a keen rugby league fan and like to keep fit by walking and attending a local gym
I love being part of this school and am really looking forward to taking on the role of Chair of Governors.
Mr P Barnett – Headteacher
Hello.
My name is Philip Barnett and I am lucky to be the Headteacher and one of the Governors who are responsible for ensuring the children of our wonderful school get the absolute ‘best start in life.’
I have been involved in education for the last thirty three years with experience in both Infant and Junior schools as a teacher and Headteacher. I love my job as the children make me smile and I learn something new every day, often from them.
During the last sixteen years I have been a governor at 4 different schools as a parent governor, staff member, co-opted member and a Vice Chair. I have been the governor responsible for special educational needs, finance / resources and learning.
The role of a school governor is essential to the successful leadership, safety and progress of a school and more importantly to the children who learn in it.
I have two grown up children and love walking my dog and watching local football.
We have to be the best we can possibly be so the children in our care have every chance and opportunity that they deserve.
Mrs A Attwood – Teacher – Staff representative
Mr A Duncan – Co-opted
My name is Ash Duncan and I am proud member of the Purston Infant School governing body. I am a senior leader at a local primary school that is part of a large multi-academy trust. I also live in the local community and know first hand the impact the school has in the area. I hope to help support the children, staff and wider community as best as I can.
Mrs A Gascoyne – Deputy Headteacher – Associate member
My association with Purston Infant School began over 25 years ago when I came as a student from college. Fast forward to now, and I am Deputy Headteacher of our wonderful school. We pride ourselves in providing a warm, friendly and stimulating learning environment which is fully inclusive and strives to support our children to ‘be the best they can be.’
Alongside my Deputy Headteacher role I am also EYFS Lead teacher and have a real passion for Early Years education.
Out of school I am mum to a teenage daughter who keeps me very busy and I enjoy going to the gym and keeping myself fit. I am proud to say I work at Purston Infant School.
Cllr Mrs M Isherwood – LA Governor
Mrs H Newbould – Co-opted
I have been a Parent Governor at Purston Infant School since 2017. My association with Purston Infant School goes back to my own childhood and now my daughter attends and my son will be starting shortly. I enjoy playing an active part in helping the school and as a governor, I look forward to supporting Purston Infants in the excellent work it does in providing the best education for the children. I have attended and enjoyed numerous courses in relation to safeguarding, attendance and the importance of being part of the governing body. I work in a firm of solicitors dealing with litigation and have done so for over 20 years. I look forward to carrying on being a parental voice in the school and contributing as a governor.
Mrs N Tonkinson – Co-opted
My name is Nichola Tonkinson, I have two children aged 14 and 10 and I am the EYFS lead for a primary school in Pontefract.
Ever since I started primary school, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. I am passionate about education and strongly believe that every child deserves to be provided with the opportunities to become the best they can be. As the mantra for Purston Infants, I was keen to be on board when I found out there was a chance of becoming a governor.
Being a school governor at such a warm, friendly and inclusive school as enabled me to assist in the school to run as effectively as possible, working alongside senior leaders and supporting teachers to provide excellent education for children. It is a pleasure to be part of a school classed as ‘one big family’ and has allowed me to bring some expertise from my professional life whilst benefitting from working with such skilled volunteers.
I am proud to be a governor and proud to be part of the learning journey at Purston Infant School.
Mrs A Upton – Parent Governor
My Name is Amanda, I have two children who attend Purston infant school currently and I work in the hospitality/brewery industry. My interests are walking, going to the gym and keeping myself fit and healthy, but most of all I enjoy helping people and making a difference in our community. I am one of the founding members and a trustee of a local homeless charity and have been for the past three years, we do not just help the homeless we help anyone that is in need, by providing food, clothing, toiletries and much more. Being a part of this charity has led me to want to help in other areas, so when the opportunity arose to becoming a parent governor I jumped at the chance. I am hoping that being more involved within the school will allow me to help support the staff, children and encourage the children to be the best possible versions of themselves.