Meet the Governors

Appointed Chair of Governors 13 July 2021.

I have worked with the Governors of Scholes School to support staff, parents and pupils for the past five years and 2022 – 23 is my second year as Chair. This a year of opportunity for Scholes school and I am proud to have been elected to remain as Chair of the Governors and to work with the new Head to move the school forward.

I live locally and recently retired from the University of Huddersfield where I developed and led the Pharmacy courses, working with the University and professional bodies to ensure high standards and to enable students to achieve their ambitions.

Prior to the move to full time teaching and academia, I juggled teaching postgraduates at Leeds University and working as a prescribing advisor for the GP practices in the South Huddersfield area with the demands of my own family.

I have lived in Holmfirth for 24 years, so I am no longer a newcomer. Prior to moving to Yorkshire, I worked as a pharmacist in NHS hospitals in Cheshire and the Midlands for 20 years so I offer a range of experience from some very different organisations.

My motivation for being a Governor is to use my skills and experience to ‘put something back’ into local education. Both my grown-up children have been educated in local schools and have had every support and opportunity to develop both personally and academically to meet their ambitions. I want to contribute to every child having the early education which will support them to achieve anything to which they aspire.

My husband and I have lived in Scholes for nearly 40 years and both our children went to Scholes J &I School during which period I was an active member of the PTA. 

After graduating in English Language and Literature I taught English, French and art in Cameroon for 2 years with the International Voluntary Service. I then resumed my studies, completing a Master of Arts degree in archaeology. My first career was in Museum Education in Kirklees and then, after starting a family, I joined the Inland Revenue (HMRC). I retired in 2010.

 Since then I have continued as a magistrate on the W Yorkshire Bench in both Family and Adult courts. Other interests, apart from family responsibilities, include volunteering with the National Trust, walking, art, local history and going to the theatre, often with members of the Holme Valley U 3a, reading and singing in a local ladies choir.

I am keen to encourage children to involve themselves in all the arts, which have the potential to enrich the whole of their lives one way or another, and delight in their natural and historical environment.