Governor Information

As a governing body, all of the Governors of Glasshoughton Infant Academy are passionate about ensuring that the provision and education of each and every child is the best and stand by our school motto of:

'Everyone deserves the best, Everyone deserves respect.'

Although we all have many other commitments including jobs, hobbies and families, we dedicate time to visit school regularly where we meet the children and staff, attend 6 meetings a year and are present at events to support the hard work of the staff, children and parents.

Please see below details of our current Governors, a little about us, our role as a Governor and, if needed, how we can be contacted.

Governors List

Phil Wagstaff

Community Governor

Chair of Governors

Finance & Premises Committee

Date of Appointment: 19.9.2017

Term of Office end date: 18.9.2021

I have been a governor at Glasshoughton Infant Academy for over 6 years and have been the Chair of Governors for the last 3 years.  I am passionate about ensuring children are given the best possible opportunities and develop to their full potential in a safe environment.

Being the Chair of Governors is a key role in the leadership and management of the school. I work closely with the Headteacher to promote and maintain high standards of educational achievement, working alongside the other members of the team of Governors and staff.

I find the role as a Governor very rewarding to help, support and challenge it in all areas of school life.

Anna Walker 

Headteacher

Teaching & Learning Committee

Finance & Premises Committee

Date of Appointment: 9.12.16

I am Headteacher at Glasshoughton Infant Academy where I began my teaching career in 2005. I am passionate about giving children the best possible start that I can, with a great belief that children only get one chance at school and therefore they deserve the chance to be the best they can be.

I am currently Literacy subject leader, a subject a feel passionate about. For children to be able to access all other areas of the curriculum they need to be able to listen, to ask and answer questions, to read and to write. Literacy is the gateway to learning and we have to get it right.

Paul Phelps 

Local Authority Governor

Teaching & Learning Committee

Date of Appointment: 19.9.2017

Term of Office end date: 18.9.2021

The role of a school governor has changed so much over the years .

But the aims to provide the best education for our children has been the driving force . Planning the strategic direction of school while maintaining compliance with good educational standards. The continuous evaluation of pupil standards to ensure the school is challenging itself in delivering high standards of learning and life long skills. The compliance of our legal responsibilities and overseeing our financial performance is also another part of our role within the school, following best practices in order to direct towards pupil education.

These areas I see as part of my role and along with regular training I will continue to work with my fellow governors and school staff to continue in giving our pupils the best start possible.

Kevin Patrick 

Community Governor

Vice Chair of Governors

Training Link Governor

Teaching & Learning Committee

Date of Appointment: 19.9.2017

Term of Office end date: 18.9.2021

Other governance roles:

Governing Body of Castleford Park Junior Academy

My association with Glasshoughton First School goes back to my own childhood! I attended the old school on School Lane in Glasshoughton back in the sixties. Then my younger sister came to the new school when it first opened in the mid 1970's, and my own daughter, Laura attended this school from nursery in 2004. I enjoy being part of the school family and working in the community. I have been a governor since 2009. We are now part of the Castleford Multi Academy Trust and as governors we will maintain our individual strength as an outstanding school and continue to build a stronger and vibrant school community for the children of Castleford.

Claire Gordon 

Staff Governor

Date of Appointment: 16.1.2018

Term of Office end date: 15.1.2022

I am the Assistant Headteacher at Glasshoughton Infant Infant Academy. I began my career at the school in 2012 as a supply teacher. I quickly realised this was the school for me, sharing the passion all staff have for providing our children with the highest quality teaching and learning. I am fortunate in that I have had the opportunity to teach in every year group from nursery to year 2, providing me with a clear understanding of the beginning of our children's learning journey and where we are aiming for them to get. In my role I am responsible for whole school teaching and learning. I spend time coaching teachers in order to address their bespoke development areas and I work collaboratively with them to ensure they are the best teachers they can be for our children.

Paul Beckett 

Community Governor

Date of Appointment: 14.7.2015

Term of Office end date: 13.7.2019

I am currently the store manager of the Co-op store in Castleford town centre. I have been actively involved with Glasshoughton Infant Academy since the Co-op launched Green Schools Revolution back in 2006. This is an educational programme that aims to inspire school children to engage with sustainability issues and think differently about the world they live in.

Through the role of community governor I hope to help the academy continue to produce excellence in education. Also with living and working in the same community gives me greater opportunities to build relationships with parents as well as the children.

Kathryn Law 

Community Governor

Date of Appointment: 17.5.2016

Term of Office end date: 16.5.2020

 Other governance roles:

Governing Body of Castleford Park Junior Academy

 I am Headteacher at Castleford Park Junior Academy and I am passionate about making sure the children of Castleford receive a worthwhile, inspiring education. As part of this commitment, I enjoy working with Glasshoughton Infant Academy to ensure this can happen right from the start of school life. Glasshoughton Infants School is a fantastic place of education that our Community is lucky to have. I am really pleased to be able to support and help with making it an even better place to be!

Charlotte Probert 

Associate Governor (no voting rights)

Date of Appointment: 1.9.2017

Term of Office end date: 31.8.2021

My name is Charlotte Probert and I am the School Business Manager at Glasshoughton Infant Academy. I have worked in school for over 10 years and am a qualified accountant.

I have lived in Castleford all my life and attended the schools within the Castleford Academy Trust. I was delighted to become a Governor at Glasshoughton Infant Academy as it gave me another opportunity to support the school as a member of an enthusiastic and committed Governing Body.  I hope to help the school continue to provide excellence in Education.

I am married with two children and enjoy family activities, traveling and reading.

Barbara Hughes 

Community Governor

Date of Appointment: 9.12.16

Term of Office end date: 8.12.2020

I have been a Governor at GIA since 2016 and have responsibility for Pupil Premium and Attendance.  I am Glasshoughton born and am proud to be be a Governor at GIA, it is a forward thinking school, with dynamic staff and leadership and a wonderful place of learning for the children within the community.  I have long ties with the school, being a former pupil at the old school, and having had a daughter who attended the present school.  I am a former manager for Wakefield Council and have a knowledge of working within education and young people's services.

I am a keen walker, enjoy travelling to broaden my own horizons, musical theatre, local history, watching Cas Tigers, spending time with my family, and becoming absorbed in a good book.

I believe GIA provides a broad, rich curriculum, evidenced by the vibrant displays around school and outstanding examples of children's work.  I firmly believe that all children deserve the best start in life and should experience as many varied opportunities as possible to prepare them for a fulfilling and enriched adulthood.    

Faye Pease 

Community Governor

Date of Appointment: 21.11.17

Term of Office end date: 20.11.2021

My objective as a Governor at Glasshoughton Infant Academy is to help all children to reach their potential by providing the best opportunities possible, and help the school to continue to provide Excellence in education.

As a governing body we strive to continuously improve the high quality standards of teaching and learning experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

Jennifer Catch 

Parent Governor

Date of Appointment: 21.11.2017

Term of Office end date: 20.11.2021

I have worked and studied in education for many years. I have a degree in this subject and have supported schools in the area in a teaching assistant role, whilst I also have lots of community work experience. I have promoted reading and literacy through work in libraries. I worked with Wakefield Council Museums to deliver holiday activities and educational workshops.

Part of my new role with Castleford Heritage Trust is to connect, inform and inspire people about our town's heritage through activities and festivals. I am a mum with two boys and want to contribute to our school's success.

Carly Isherwood 

Parent Governor

Date of Appointment: 21.11.2017

Term of Office end date: 20.11.2021

As a mum of two children under five, one of which requires extra help and understanding, I know what commitment and perseverance is.

Until I became my sons carer I was a director of my own business, and now I have time and enthusiasm to put into this new role. In my spare time I am part of a local Christian church. I enjoy working with a voluntary troubled youth project and being part of a team running a mother and baby group in Wakefield. I look forward to putting the same dedication into being a Governor for Glasshoughton Infant Academy.

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Jayne Clarke 

Associate Member - Primary Director of Education

Date of Appointment: 1.9.2017

Term of Office end date: 31.8.2021

Jayne began her teaching career by transferring her Primary expertise into a new Comprehensive school. She later reconnected with Primary learners in the deprived pit villages of South and West Yorkshire, advocating for children least able to engage successfully in education before she joined a 3-19 special school in Doncaster. Subsequently working in the Batley area, she specialised in removing barriers to learning for multi-lingual children.

Promoting a multi-agency approach to raising aspirations, she opened 2 Surestart hubs on school premises and mentored teachers in promoting positive learning cultures. In January 2008 she became Headteacher at Ryecroft Primary School, which serves one of the 1% most deprived areas nationally and a place which had experienced 10 heads in 11 years. Instability in the school was very tangible and distressing but by July 2010 OFSTED recognised the school as Good and by April 2014 Ryecroft was Outstanding. As a result of this transformation work, Jayne was awarded TES Primary Headteacher of the year in 2014. Now an NLE, prior to joining Castleford Multi Academy Trust Jayne supported schools via the Bradford Birth-19 TSA. She also chaired a partnership of 10 schools in the BD4 area of Bradford and sat on the Bradford Primary Improvement Partnership (BPIP) Executive.

After taking up Executive Principle posts in Bradford schools requiring additional support, Jayne has joined Castleford Multi-Academy Trust as Director of Primary. She has already steered Three Lane Ends Academy through a challenging OFSTED and is working closely with local Headteachers to improve outcomes for children. 

 Link Governors

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 Full Governing Body Meeting Dates and Attendance Record 2018/2019

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​Full Governing Body Meeting Dates and Attendance Record 2017 /2018

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   Glasshoughton Infant Academy Governing Body Register Of Interests/Pecuniary Interests 2018/19

​If you have any questions or any comments you would like to raise or share with the Governing Body they can be put in writing and addressed to:

The Governing Body
Glasshoughton Infant Academy
Newfield Avenue
Castleford
WF10 4BH

Alternatively you can send an email to:
admin@glasshoughtoninfant.co.uk
This will then be passed on to the Governing Body, which they will deal with at their earliest convenience.

If you are interested in how to become a school governor and would like more information, please click on the following link:

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Documents/schools-children/school-governors/become-school-governor.PDF​​