Staff
 |
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.
|
|
 |
School Business Manager Deputy Safeguarding Officer 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) 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.
|
|
 |
Lions Class Teacher (Years 3 & 4) Mrs H Jones
Hello, my name is Helen Jones and I am the the year 3/4 teacher in Lions Class alongside Mrs Peart-Minter. In Lions Class I teach every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
I have been a teacher for 28 years and I have taught in various schools both in Yorkshire and Birmingham where I started my career. I am fortunate to also live in this beautiful village with my family - husband and daughter. When I am not at work, I enjoy long walks with my family and friends. For the last two years, I have been learning BSL ( British Sign Language) and I have recently achieved my Level 2 qualification.
|
|
 |
Lions Class teacher (Years 3 &4) Mrs S Peart-Minter Hi, my name is Mrs Sarah Peart-Minter and I am the new Y3/4 teacher in Lions class alongside Mrs Jones. I teach on a Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday. I got married earlier this year after being with my partner for 14 years! I live in Eggborough with my husband, Steven and our children - Benjamin, who is 18 and starting university, and Lucy, who is 11 and just started high school. In my spare time I love walking my two dogs, Dave and Eric. I also have a Ragdoll cat called Sid, who often follows us on our walks! I love reading and really enjoy reading to children an putting on silly voices! I have worked in a few schools in the Wakefield area over my 22 years of teaching, but I am really happy to now be here in this lovely and friendly school in the beautiful village of Kirk Seaton. |
|
 |
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. |
|
 |
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. |
|
 mrswhittle |
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. |
|
 |
Teaching Assistant Miss A Greenaway |
|
 |
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
|
|
 |
Teaching Assistant Mrs H Smith Hello, my name is Hayley Smith, I am a Teaching Assistant at Kirk Smeaton C of E school. I started working at Kirk Smeaton in 2021, after previously working in a private day nursery. I work alongside Miss Ghent and Mrs Sheen in Starfish class. I am very fortunate to work in such a welcoming, friendly and nurturing school. I am passionate about working with young children, I love helping children flourish and develop new skills through their interests. I particularly enjoy listening to the children’s fascinating stories and helping them to get creative with their ideas. During my spare time I love being outdoors, walking and playing hide-go-seek with my daughter. I also enjoy planning days out with my family – mainly to the seaside! I love traveling (I have various places to visit on my bucket list) and cooking for friends and family. |
|
 mrholmes |
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. |
|
 |
Playworker and General Teaching Assistant Miss C Whittles Hi, my name is Cassie Whittles and I’m the Play Worker for the after school club. I started working with children when I was just 17 as an apprenticeship in a private day nursery, from then I’ve always enjoyed working children as no day is ever the same, I love to see the children grow into their own little personalities! And I’m excited to start my new journey working in such a lovely School. I spend most of my spare time with my little family at home… We have a little boy called Ethan and he is full of energy so keeps us very very busy with our little dog Lola |
|
Mrs K Alton General Teaching Assistant |
||
 |
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! |
