Staff
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Headteacher SENCO and Safeguarding Officer Mrs H Cuddy Hello my name is Hannah Cuddy and I am the headteacher of Kirk Smeaton C of E School. I love my job, the best bit is getting to know the children and parents. I am very blessed to have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children. In my own time I love to spend time outside, going for walks and afterwards enjoying a cup of coffee along with a treat! I have travelled to many places and lived in Australia where I worked as an apple packer and a home school teacher. I have handglided and sky dived in Canada and New Zealand aswell as swam with fresh water crocodiles in Australia.
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School Business Manager Mrs A Marner My name is Anita Marner and I'm the Business manager at Kirk Smeaton CE Primary School. I love my job and am very lucky to work with such a great team. I am also fortunate to live in the Village with my lovely family - Husband, Daughter (13 Yrs) and our Chocolate Labrador Cocoa! During my spare time I love to run and cycle and am a member of a local cycling club. One of my favourite places is the Lake District - we visit as often as we can as a family and love walking the many Mountains and Fells. I've travelled to many interesting places including Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Singapore, Hawaii, San Francisco and Florida. I loved Australia so much that My Husband and I actually married there on the Gold Coast on Valentines Day! One of my most exciting experiences was heli-biking down the Remarkables Mountain range in New Zealand. |
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School Administrator Mrs J Maltby Hi, my name is Jay Maltby and I’m the School Administrator here at Kirk Smeaton CofE Primary School. I came to the school in 2016, from an accounting background, but was ready for a change of pace after having my little boy. I absolutely love it here at the school, and have felt at home from the beginning thanks to all the amazing staff and children. As much as I love my job, my favourite role is being mum and wife at home, well, at least on a good day! I have a great love of music and spend any free time playing the piano, (attempting) the guitar, and singing, as well as writing my own music. I also love to travel and have lived in Canada for 2 years, explored America, from New York to Vegas, and spent lots of time in Europe wishing I could say more than ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Hola’ - particularly embarrassing in Italy! |
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Starfish and Starfish Explorers Class Teacher (Nursery and Reception) Miss C Ghent Hello, my name is Catherine Ghent and I am the teacher of Starfish Class. I absolutely love being a teacher because we have so much fun trying new activities and learning new things. My favorourite subjects to teach are Art, Music and English – especially when we have the chance to be really creative. In my own time I love listening to music and playing the piano and ukulele, as well as walking my two dogs and reading. I also really enjoy visiting family and traveling, so far I have visited France, New York, Canada and Australia. |
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Dolphins Class Teacher (Years 1 & 2) Miss A Yardley Hello my name is Amanda Yardley. I teach year 1/2 here at Kirk Smeaton Primary School. I began teaching Dolphins class in March 2019 and have loved every second of it. I have enjoyed being part of such a wonderful and friendly team in a fantastic school.
Prior to teaching, I worked in a small private day nursery, of which sparked my love for working with children and inspired me to become a teacher.
The best part of my job is seeing how much the children grow and develop throughout KS1. And of course listening to the many (often humorous) stories of which they love to tell me.
In my spare time I enjoy being outdoors with my three beautiful children (2 boys and a girl), eating lots of delicious foods and going to the gym.
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Lions Class Teacher (Years 3 & 4) Mrs B Hursthouse My name is Beth Hursthouse and I teach Year 3/4 at Kirk Smeaton Primary School. I came here in 2012 from a much larger primary school and instantly fell in love with the village setting and the 'family' feel of a small school. Before I became a teacher, I worked in the world of media as a Concept Designer and Manager. However, I had always known that teaching was in my blood and eventually I followed in the family footsteps! I still get to try out my creative skills though, when it comes to doing displays and art projects! Outside school I am sports mad and spend every spare evening playing badminton or running. I play in a Yorkshire league and several local leagues so I'm always dashing off to matches with a pile of marking in tow! Life is very busy, with my two children at school too, but I love my job and wouldn't have it any other way. |
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Lions Class Teacher (Years 3 & 4) Ms C Brear
Hi my name is Colette Brear and I am the new teacher in the Lions Class. I started in January 2019 and work Wednesday afternoons, Thursdays and Fridays. When I am not at work, I spend my time running around after my two very young children (a boy and a girl).
Before I became a teacher I worked as a family law solicitor. I decided to retrain to be a teacher and completed the Schools Direct teacher training scheme where I trained to be a teacher while working in a school. After I qualified I worked as a Year 3 teacher in a two-form entry school in West Yorkshire before having to leave when we moved to North Yorkshire. In my spare time I love to exercise and enjoy running and pilates. I also enjoy cooking (to offset the exercise).
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Eagles Class Teacher (Years 5 & 6) Deputy Safeguarding Officer Mrs M Holmes Hi, my name is Michele Holmes and I am the year 5/6 teacher for Eagles class. Previous to working at Kirk Smeaton School, I have taught for many years in various schools, authorities and even abroad in Namibia S.W Africa. One of my passions is dancing and in the past I have run a dance school part- time and taken part in many performances. I also love athletics and spending time in the countryside walking and cycling. However, I spend most of my time being a taxi driver - ferrying around my children to different activities and clubs! I have three children -a girl and two older boys. My husband is a caretaker at the school too. I am really enjoying teaching at this lovely village school, along with the lovely children and the dedicated and enthusiastic staff team here. |
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Teaching Assistant Miss L Harrison Hello, my name is Lyndsay Harrison, I joined the staff at Kirk Smeaton C of E School in April 2016 as a teaching assistant working in Lions class alongside Mrs Hursthouse and Mrs Wilkinson. I also work with other year groups in the school delivering one to one maths interventions. I can honestly say this is the most rewarding job I have had, I really do love it, the characteristics of the children are fantastic and it is a pleasure to work along side them, you never know what to expect each day! Whilst at Kirk Smeaton, I have gained a Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning. I live with my partner and our two children, Jake and Lydia. We enjoy going on family walks and are all keen cyclists. My other interests are reading and baking. |
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Teaching Assistant Mrs F Holt |
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Teaching Assistant Mrs M Whittles Hi, my name is Margaret Whittles. I am a Teaching Assistant at Kirk Smeaton C of E Primary School. I transferred here when Womersley school closed some years ago. I feel so lucky and extremely privileged to work at such a great school. The children and staff are second to none! I love working here. |
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Teaching Assistant Miss A Greenaway |
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Teaching Assistant Ms N Holmes My name is Nicola Holmes. I enjoy working in Starfish class and have been here since November 2018. I am married and have a 12 year old son, Jack. We love walking our dogs as a family and last year we walked the Yorkshire and National three peaks. We love our holidays and try to get away as much as possible. |
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Teaching Assistant Mrs S Sheen
Hi, my name is Sadie Sheen. I work alongside Miss Yardley and Mrs Whittles in Dolphins class. As well as supporting in the classroom I support children from Dolphins on a one to one basis through targeted interventions.
I love working at Kirk Smeaton, both the staff and children are a pleasure to work with. I find working with the children so satisfying and fun, and not one day is the same. Previously I worked in the NHS but decided to change career and retrained so I could work supporting children in school.
I have three children, two boys and one girl and love spending time with them, we enjoy gardening, visiting national parks and wildlife parks. If I have any spare time I love relaxing with a good book
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Caretaker Mr D Holmes Hi, my name is Darren Holmes and I am the Caretaker for Kirk Smeaton School. I have three children -a girl and two older boys. My wife is a teacher also at Kirk Smeaton School. I enjoy playing football once a week and having been born and bred in Leeds, I am a life- long supporter of Leeds Utd! I enjoy watching films, when I have the time and get access to the remote control! I also like camping, cycling and hill walking. |
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School Cook Mrs K Helstrip Hello my name is Mrs Helstrip and I am the kitchen assistant. I have a busy life with two small children. My interests and hobbies are cycling, music, cinema and days out! |
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Assistant Cook Mrs H Spink Hi my name is Holly Spink, and I am a Midday Supervisor. I love working with the younger children - they can teach you so much and be so much fun. I have worked at Kirk Smeaton since about 2008, first starting in the kitchen and supervising at lunchtimes before moving into the classroom, and I have just recently changed my focus solely to the role of Assistant Cook. I have a level 2 qualification in Specialist Support for teaching and learning, and a level 3 Diploma in the same. My background is customer services as I worked for Leeds Met Uni for 6 years in their facilities Management departments helpdesk. I am married with 3 children and I enjoy lots of long walks when I get the opportunity. I love dancing and listening to music. I have never travelled on an aeroplane but enjoy nothing more than travelling around our beautiful country staying at Youth Hostels. I am a member of English Heritage, enjoying looking at castles, forts, and houses, and I have a passion for history. |
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Midday Supervisor Mrs S Rixham |
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Playworker and General Teaching Assistant Mrs K Humpreys I'm Mrs Humphrey I am married with two children a boy and a girl. I live on a farm, with horses, goats, chickens, dogs, and a cat. I love to walk my dogs and go horse riding, I also enjoy gardending, sewing,and making things.
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