Staff

Headteacher

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 beautiful little girl.   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.  

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.

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! 

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. 

Dolphins Class Teacher (Years 1 & 2)

Mr R Coulthard

Hello, my name is Richard Coulthard and I am the teacher of Dolphins Class. I have recently completed my PGCE and feel very lucky to have secured my first teaching job in such an amazing school. Before I trained as a teacher, I worked in a number of roles in Local Government, both here in North Yorkshire and in Leeds. Alongside working, I have also obtained a degree in Biomedical Sciences.

I love being a teacher, it gives me the opportunity to contribute to so many children’s lives. As I’m sure you can tell from my degree, Science is my passion and I would love to inspire the next generation of young scientists. I also love to teach Maths, History and Geography.

Outside school, I live in Leeds with my partner and our two dogs, Jake and Bouncer, who are quite the handful. I love being outdoors, at 6am on a typical Saturday morning, you can find me on top of Otley Chevin walking my dogs whatever the weather. As well as this, I have a passion for music, I have been lucky enough to play guitar in international touring bands, in fact I have spent the summer touring in Europe and japan.

I am very grateful to work here at Kirk Smeaton and I am excited for year ahead.

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. 

Lions Class Teacher (Years 3 & 4)

Mrs K Wilkinson

Hello my name is Kirsty Wilkinson and I'm part of the Year 3/4 teaching team.  I've been teaching for 11 years and have been at Smeaton for 9.  I coordinate Maths within the school and I love numbers and data!  If I've been teaching 11 years, with an average of 30 children in the class how many children have I taught?  Have you remembered they're mixed aged classes , meaning I taught children over two years? Ooh there's a good problem for you to solve.
I have a husband and two little girls and we spend our weekends visiting castles and eating scones.  I enjoy knitting and reading, I'm doing a Good Reads challenge to read more books this year as apparently the maximum books one reads in their lifetime is 2000 so I'd like to beat that!  I also like travelling, a life goal would be to visit every capital city in the world; how many would that be?

Eagles Class Teacher (Years 5 & 6)

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.

HLTA

Mrs Y Garside

Hello, I'm Yvonne Garside HLTA at Kirksmeaton Cof E school.  I have the privilege of working, at sometime in the week, with most of the children in school, whether in a whole class situation, a one-to-one session or in the school choir.  As a mum of 4 boys (now grown up) and a gran to my precious grandaughter, my life has always been full and very busy.  Music is my passion, especially singing choral music with others. When I am not singing I love my garden, from the first tip of the snowdrops in the Spring to the last rose in Autumn.  After a busy day I like nothing better than a cup of tea, a good book or knitting/sewing, to relax me for another busy day.

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!   

 I am currently studying a Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning.  I live with my partner and our two children, Jake aged 10 and Lydia aged 3. We enjoy going on family walks and are all keen cyclists.  My other interests are reading and baking.

Teaching Assistant

Mrs F Holt

Teaching Assistant 

Mrs H Spink

Hi my name is Holly Spink, and I am General Teaching Assistant currently working in Dolphins Year 1 and 2 class.

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. 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.

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. 
I get the best of both worlds in my job working in key stage 2, Y5/6 (Eagles) in the mornings and early years Reception and Explorers (Starfish) in the afternoons. Both great!

My husband and I live in Womersley and have two daughters aged 25 and 28. One wedding planned for this year! Excited!
In my spare time I'm kept busy with voluntary work as a Parish Councillor, Chairman of Womersley PC and Joint Burial Board, I also love my Zumba and Kettle bell classes, cooking and baking (if I get the time). My parents live in Ireland so I try and visit them as often as I can. 

Teaching Assistant

Miss A Greenaway

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.

School Cook

Mrs T Evans

Hello my name is Mrs Evans. I am the school cook. Fortunately I love cooking and baking so a perfect job for me! I also like music and singing, and am part of a group who play hand bells which I enjoy enormously.

Assistant 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!

Midday Supervisor

Mrs S Rixham

Playworker and General Teaching Assistant

Mrs K Humpreys

Administrator

Mrs Bainbridge

Hi, my name is Julie Bainbridge and I work as an administrator at Kirk Smeaton Primary school

I have enjoyed a long career with a well known bank for the past 23 years and am now following my passion of working with children in a wonderful environment

I have a beautiful daughter who is a Primary school teacher.

I love to travel and have visited many countries

As a young girl I was a professional dancer, competing at the Winter Gardens ballroom at Blackpool, I still dance whenever i get the opportunity

I enjoy reading, fundraising and spending quality time with family.