Our Governing Body

On 1st September 2018 North Rigton CE Primary School entered into a formal collaboration with All Saints CE Primary School. On 1st January 2019 the Governing Bodies of the two schools merged with Governors taking responsibilities across both schools.

The new Governing Body is made up of 14 governors:

  • Two ex-officio governors
  • Two parent governors
  • Two staff governors
  • One foundation governor
  • Six co-opted governors
  • One Academy/Trust governor

As part of the Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, the Governing Body is strongly committed to promoting high standards and expectations and ensuring that every child gets the best possible start to their education. The Governing Body reports to the Board of Directors of the Trust.

Key functions of the Governing Body include:

  • Setting the vision and strategic direction of the fellowship
  • Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the schools
  • Ensuring financial resources are well spent
  • Carrying out all statutory duties such as safeguarding.

The Governors

  • Joanne McCudden – Chair (Co-opted Governor)
  • Rosemary Hunt – Vice Chair (Co-opted Governor)
  • Amber Andrews – Headteacher (Ex-officio)
  • Sophia Gardiner – Staff Governor
  • Sarah Honey – Staff Governor
  • Emma Littlewood – Co-opted Governor
  • Fiona Parish – Co-opted Governor
  • Mark Wilkinson – Co-opted Governor
  • Emily Wilson Boughan – Co-opted Governor
  • Vacancy – Foundation Governor
  • Sarah Barnett – Parent Governor
  • Helen Laflin – Parent Governor
  • Rev’d Stroma McDermott – Ex-officio

The Chair of Governors can be contacted via either school office. Click here for contact details.

ASNR Fellowship – Constitution

ASNR Fellowship – Declarations of Interest

ASNR Governor – LGB Details

Jo McCudden –  Chair

Joanne is an investor in small start-up companies, focussed on female and minority-led businesses. Prior to this she was a commercial head for a number of biotech companies and has a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Warwick. She has been in school governance for 7 years across schools here and in NW Leicestershire, has 3 sons and lives in Huby. She has been Chair of the Local Governing Board since September 2023 and is the current SEND lead for our school fellowship and Chair of the School Development Committee.

 

Rosemary Hunt – Vice Chair

For over 25 years Rosemary was a primary school teacher in South London and then became a Primary ICT Advisor. On retiring in 2014 she moved to North Rigton to be nearer to her daughters and grandsons. Rosemary became a governor at North Rigton School in 2016 and was Chair of the School Development Committee after All Saints and North Rigton became the Fellowship Schools. She has been the Vice Chair since September 2023 and as such is a member of both the School Development and Resources Committees.

 

Sarah Honey – Staff Governor

Sarah has worked at All Saints Primary School for 20 years and is currently a year 5/6 teacher and Base Leader of the school.  She has taught across all year groups during her time at All Saints and has taught many families of children.  She is the subject leader for English, History and Art across both fellowship schools and leads on curriculum development.  She is also the designated safeguarding lead at All Saints and wellbeing lead.  She is passionate about the role of the arts in a pupil’s development and takes a leading role in the Kirkby Overblow Arts Festival as well as directing end of year performances.  Sarah works closely with the school community in organising events.

 

Mark Wilkinson – Co-opted Governor

Mark is presently Vice Chair of the Fellowship Local Governing Body. He has been a Fellowship Governor since its inception, prior to which he was a Governor of North Rigton. He has had 2 children attend the school. He chairs the Fellowship Finance Committee and is also a member of the Multi Academy Trust’s Strategic Real Estate Committee.

Mark is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a Professional Associate of the Chartered Governance Institute.

 

Sophia Gardiner – Staff Governor

Sophia has worked at North Rigton Primary School since 2019 and is currently the Assistant Headteacher, SENDCo In School Link and Year 5/6 teacher of the school, working all day on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and mornings on both Thursday and Friday.  Within her teaching career, Sophia has taught children from Year 1 all the way through to Year 6 and has also worked in a variety of small village schools and larger town schools. She is the subject leader for Maths, Wellbeing of Pupils and Staff, Educational Visits Coordinator for the Fellowship and leads on the strategic development of the schools. Sophia is also currently completing her NPQH qualification. 

Sophia is also the staff wellbeing lead across the Fellowship. She is particularly passionate about the support she offers as a trainee teacher mentor and ECT lead, helping students and newly qualified teachers who are at the very start of their careers in education. She works closely with the F.O.N.R. (Friends of North Rigton PTA) in organising events for the children and community which she very much enjoys.

 Emma Littlewood – Co-Opted Governor

Emma has been a governor since 2011, when her son was at North Rigton school. She is passionate about helping to provide the best education we can for our children by supporting the staff and being a ‘critical friend’. She has a special interest in music and supports musical activities such as recorder club, school productions and Kids Aloud. She was the Special Educational Needs governor for several years and has now taken over the Safeguarding role. She serves on the School Development committee and is class link Governor for Y5/6 at North Rigton.

 

Helen Laflin – Parent Governor

Helen Laflin

Helen became a parent governor in 2021. Her 3 children have all attended North Rigton, and her youngest is currently in Y1/2. Helen is a primary school teacher who previously worked as a School Improvement Consultant for Leeds City Council. She now works as a maths consultant and author for Oxford University Press which gives her access and insight into teaching and leadership in schools across the UK and internationally. Helen has previously been a teacher governor and a LEA governor for inner city schools in Leeds.

 

 

Fiona Parish – Co-opted Governor

Fiona became a co-opted governor in 2023. After moving to Huby she was keen to become involved in the community and as an ex-Science teacher becoming a governor was an ideal opportunity to fulfil this.

Fiona worked for many years as an Advanced Skills teacher and developed Leeds School centred initial teacher training scheme. She also led the new teacher training and Performance Management for the school. This experience and her commitment to providing the best education and opportunities will enable her to support the school’s development.

 

Emily Wilson Boughan – Co-opted Governor

Emily became a co-opted governor in 2024. Emily has four children, three are currently attending North Rigton. After moving to Huby, Emily became the Chair of Huby and Weeton Preschool. This role ignited her strong interest in children’s wellbeing and education.

Emily is a ACA certified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Emily is looking forward to using her financial and leadership skills to support the school’s development.

 

Sarah Barnett – Parent Governor

Sarah joined as a parent governor in November 2024. She has one son at All Saints who joined the school in April 2024 and another son who is due to start in Reception in 2025. With a background in law and business, Sarah is looking forward to helping to support the school’s development.