Chris Emsen - Chair Of Governors & LA Governor

“I am a Local Authority appointed governor and I am delighted to have been appointed as the Chair of Governors in November 2018. Together with other Snaith Primary School governors and the Headteacher we form a team responsible for the governance of the School. We endeavour to establish a safe, creative, working environment for children and staff and continually improve the performance of the school. I am a member of the Personnel/Staffing Committee. This position involves an active participation in the selection, recruitment and retention of school staff. The responsibility may also include dealing with individual personnel issues which may arise. I also have a responsibility as the designated governor for Safeguarding, Child Protection and Health & Safety at Snaith Primary School. This role includes offering advice on any Health and Safety issues and carrying out termly audits with the Headteacher. The audits include an internal and external survey of the school and verification that the school is compliant with its statutory duties in regard to Health and Safety.”   

Cath Harrison - Vice Chair & Parent Governor

I have been a parent governor at Snaith Primary for over 5 years and have three children, two of which have had the privilege of attending Snaith Primary School and my youngest is currently in year 5.

Prior to having a family, I worked for both Bradford and Leeds LEAs supporting schools as a Human Resources Business Partner. I was lucky enough to work with over 400 schools where I got to provide specialist recruitment and retention support. I rolled out the Remodelling the Workforce Agenda across Bradford, and supported Leeds schools in developing extended services. I was also principal lead in rolling out the “Restructuring the Workforce” agenda for Leeds schools. In my HR role I was able to deepen my understanding of both the opportunities and challenges schools face and develop a real solution focused approach to support schools.

I am passionate about education and feel very privileged that I can make a contribution to such a wonderful school.

Helen Calpin - Voting Headteacher

Holding the position of Headteacher and Governor at Snaith Primary School is a tremendous privilege.

I started my teaching career in 1994 and over the years have held a number of senior roles, including SENDCO, Key Stage Co-ordinator, Deputy Headteacher and Acting Headteacher in a range of schools prior to joining Snaith Primary in September 2006 as Deputy Headteacher, before undertaking the role of Headteacher in April 2017. In 2019 I was also appointed to the position of Local Leader in Education.

My philosophy is always one of being reflective and analytical, taking time to look and listen, then research the best practises and current educational thinking to lead the school and support its continuing development in an ever-changing world. One thing that does not change however are children! They are at the heart of all we do.

As a Governor Headteacher, I have the honour of working with and representing the whole school community; children, parents, staff and fellow governors, as well as the Local Education Authority and as a result this provides me with a holistic view of education in the context of the needs of our own community.

Together with the team of governors, we recognise that children only have one childhood. Our aim is to ensure that the children in our care get the very best opportunities possible.

Angela Jones - Co-opted Governor

I volunteered to become a school governor in November 2014 as I interested in supporting Snaith Primary. I have the responsibility for EYFS and assessment and also arrange governor training as required.

I currently work for the East Riding as an Early Year's Adviser as part of the School Improvement Team and this enables me to ensure that the EYFS staff remain fully updated and supported.

As the Training Link Governor I work with the LA to identify and implement training events in school and for the cluster area schools. I am also part of the Personnel Committee dealing with staffing and recruitment.  This is a very important role in creating the best staff team possible.

As a governor I am keen to support and challenge the Headteacher and staff to ensure that Snaith Primary remains an outstanding school and the children reach their full potential in all areas of the curriculum.

I feel privileged to be part of such a wonderful and hard working team.

Clare Donnison - Co-opted Governor

I am passionate about education and as a result became a parent governor at Snaith Primary School in January 2017. At present, I am involved in Initial Teacher Training and hold the post of Module Leader on the 3-7 P.G.C.E. program at Leeds University. This role involves selecting/interviewing potential trainee teachers, preparing them for class based work and assessing and monitoring their progress in terms of practical teaching. Prior to this, I worked as a primary teacher for over 20 years in the age ranges Foundation through to Key Stages 1 and 2. My particular subject specialisms are in PSED/PSHCE, Children’s Rights and Dyslexia and as such believe that all children should receive a broad and balanced curriculum that prepares them for future life. In addition, I am also a strong advocate of pupil voice. My particular skills are in accessing young children’s attitudes, views, and opinions as I possess a Master’s Degree in Social Research Methods. Before I became a governor, I carried out voluntary work at Snaith in Nursery and Upper Key Stage 2. As a result of this experience I knew, without doubt that it was a wonderful school and one that I would like to become much more involved in.

Ruth Dickens - Co-opted Governor

"Having served 25 years as a Police Officer, 20 years of which was in the mounted section, in 2014 I retired and became a Teaching Assistant at Snaith Primary School. At Snaith I particularly enjoy helping students on a 1:1 basis, and have worked in years 5 and 6. In this role I am able to use my confidence building abilities that I have honed in my private business, confidence coaching horse riders.

I became a School Governor in February 2016, and hope to bring experience from my previous role, which includes recruitment, training and health and safety. As head trainer for our department, national assessor, and a member of the national training committee I also have experience in designing and implementing policy changes and assessing their success.

As the holder of a dual role, that of support staff member and School Governor, I hope to bring my day to day knowledge of the school workings to the fore as a bridge between strategic planning and practical application."

Sadie Emsen - Co-opted Governor

As a child I loved my time at Snaith Primary. I hold very happy and fun-filled memories. Memories spanning from the novelty of wet play times, the flattening of the hill on the school field, the building of ‘Diamond Ground’ playground and the exciting day when the first computer suite was declared ‘open’.  Since then, a time spanning more than 25 years, I have continued to live just a stone’s throw away in Gowdall. My Mum has worked at the School for over 10 years as the Nursery Teacher and my Dad has held Governor responsibilities since 2005.  I have 3 children, 2 are already enjoying their time at Snaith Primary. I am Recruitment trained and until recently have enjoyed 12 years working within the Recruitment sector. This included both specialist Recruitment Consulting as well as Onsite Account Management. 

Due to my background links I have a feeling of affinity with Snaith Primary School in particular. It is exciting to be welcomed back to the School family and I enjoy investing time and contributing at the heart of the local community. I joined the team in 2019 and as well as being personally rewarding, hopefully it’s a great way to ‘give back’ to the School. 

Emma Blackwell - Parent Governor

I joined the governing body in February 2020 as a parent governor.

I have two young children, one of whom has special educational needs, and I am passionate about inclusive education and working with children to get the best from them, ensuring they have the right amount of support.

I am confident that I can make a valuable contribution to the strategic direction of the school, drawing on my solid commercial, planning and problem-solving skills which I have built over the course of my career.

Jason Boasman - Co-opted Governor

I became a school governor in November 2020 as I wanted to support Snaith Primary School. I am hoping to use my professional experiences in Engineering, construction, and health & safety in my role as a governor. This is with the aim of maintaining the school’s high standards. My interest in supporting the school is because my eldest started at the school in September 2020.

I work for Network Rail as a senior construction manager within the Eastern Capital Delivery team. This role is focused on the delivery of renewal and enhancement projects to support and enhance the operational infrastructure. Through Network Rail I am also a STEM ambassador and act as student mentor via the career ready scheme and enterprise advisor for the South Axholme Academy.

I am looking forward to working with the rest of the governors and the challenge the role will bring.

Nicola Roberts - Parent Governor

I am a new parent Governor recently joining in November 2021

I have 2 daughters one of which is currently in year 3 at Snaith Primary and thriving so I know her sister will love it all the same when it is her time.

I have had no previous experience as a governor but I look forward to the challenge, I feel my experience of working in a primary school and the training I have received will allow me to make a positive contribution and understand the daily pressures schools face. Also my previous roles in  Global Travel and IT have allowed me to to develop various skills I feel will help in my role in supporting the school.

I feel it is important that every child at Snaith is happy, safe, confident and strives to become the very best they can be. Each child will grow and learn in their own way and pace and I see it as a privilege to be able to support the school any way I can in this. As parents we need to support the school in its journey to stay as exceptional as it is. For me, it has always been important that school is more than just a place of learning. It’s a community that we can all be part of, support and friendship are key.

Melanie Ryan - Parent Governor

I joined the governing body as a parent governor in 2021. I have 3 children and live in Snaith, so have a vested interest in supporting the Headteacher and Staff to maintain high standards of education. 

I qualified as a nurse in 2004 and have worked in various locations across Yorkshire in Respiratory Medicine and Emergency Departments.  I currently work as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in urgent care, working with both adults and children.  

I believe my experiences in my career will help me offer support with a different perspective and I am excited about the challenges and opportunities where I can help. I feel very privileged to be joining the governor team at Snaith Primary School.