Summerfield Governor Profiles

Kath Halliday, Chair of Governors

My name is Kath Halliday and I was appointed as a Local Authority Governor in 2007 to Summerfield Primary School. I was educated at Upper Wortley Primary school, West Leeds Girls High, Lancashire College of Agriculture/Reading University. I retired in 2012 following a career of 45 years in Agriculture. I became Chair of Governors at Summerfield in October 2017. My specific areas of responsibility can be found on the Summerfield website. I am also a Library Governor at the school. Apart from enjoying being a Governor I also enjoy reading and gardening. I also have an allotment.

Fiona Kirkwood– Head teacher

I am now in my 1st year of Headship following on from 23 years’ experience progressing from being a Class Teacher through to leadership responsibilities. I joined the Summerfield team 10 years ago as Assistant Head. I always wanted to teach and feel I have been in a very privileged position in being able to do so. I qualified as a teacher in 1997. I joined the Governing body in October 2018. I am enjoying this role, working alongside an enthusiastic and committed team. I have two children. My son is 18 and my daughter is 14. Both my children are very active and as a family we have recently started Kickboxing together. My favourite hobby is spending time with family and friends. My approach to having the privilege of this responsibility is based on taking a whole child perspective to secure positive emotional health and well-being in order to support the most effective learning experience - and children achieving to their true potential, being the best they can be and valuing life-long learning. I love my job!

Miff Howarth- Deputy Head teacher 

I am the Deputy Headteacher at Summerfield and started this role in January 2021. I have been a teacher for 18 years and prior to starting at Summerfield I was the Maths Subject Leader for 14 years and held various leadership roles. I am deeply committed to ensuring that all pupils and staff have the opportunity to thrive and have a strong interest in pupil and staff wellbeing. I am passionate about the teaching of maths and believe that children should have a deep conceptual understanding of maths through the use of practical equipment and models and images. I am an avid reader and want to instil a love of reading in all the children at Summerfield. At home I live with my husband and my 11 year old son. We recently bought a campervan and we are looking forward to exploring Yorkshire and further afield in the UK this year. My main hobby is gardening. I have a large allotment and spend as much time as I can there to support my own wellbeing and to have a connection with nature. I am looking forward to connecting the pupils and staff of Summerfield to nature through developing our school grounds and making sure outdoor learning is a part of all curriculum areas. I’m very excited about working at Summerfield and I am thrilled to be a member of the team.

Wendy Rhodes

I started volunteering as a Governor in early 2018. I work for a financial services Outsourcer with sites across the UK and Ireland and am responsible for managing risk across a large range of projects. I believe it's important to be an active member of my local community and want my 4 children to grow up to do the same. I am a Committee member of Farsley in Bloom and was thrilled that I was asked to be a Governor at Summerfield. I look forward to being able to help Summerfield continue to be a school that's enthusiastic, committed and passionate in supporting pupil's growth and learning.

Paul Sayner

Governor since 2006, originally as a parent Governor as my two children attended Summerfield. I am class Governor for FS1. I mainly support Governance of school as a member of the Resources Committee with a particular interest in the premises to ensure that safeguarding is good and that the school is also well maintained. I complete health and safety walkabouts with the Superintendent Mr. Wood each half term and support any action needed. From September 2017 I have expended my role to meet with the PE Leader in school, Mrs Wood, to discuss the PE curriculum and how we spend our sports premium money. I enjoy my role in school and I have been on trips as a class governor and I visit my class each term. My job outside of school is electronic security and my interests include DIY, snooker and golf - when it isn't raining.

Louise Sanderson

 I am a former pupil of Summerfield, and look back at my time at School with happy memories. I work for the Council in HR & payroll administration and was interested in doing some volunteering so when the opportunity to support Summerfield came up I was thrilled. After leaving School I studied and also worked for the NHS prior to joining Leeds City Council. I enjoy supporting School, helping out where I can and am proud to be part of the largest volunteer workforce in the UK. I look forward to continuing to support Summerfield, and its wonderful children in the future. Outside of work I am a mum and step mum and my son has recently started in the Foundation Stage in Summerfield.

Jo Purdie Cole

 I started as a Governor at Summerfield Primary in May 2018. I moved to Leeds in 1997 to train to be a teacher. I have experience of working in mainstream primary and secondary schools. 13 years ago I started work as a teacher at the West SILC (Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre) in Stanningley. I have progressed from class teacher to middle leader and senior leader. I feel passionately about the education of all children and young people, especially those with SEND. My personal qualities that apply to this role are; integrity, good sense of humour, friendly and good communicator. I am married with 2 amazing step children aged 16 and 13. Personally, a work/life balance is really important, particularly time with my husband and step children. I enjoy reading and have been a member of a book club for nearly 10 years. I love walks along the canal and opportunities to travel, especially to European destinations. When I get the time and opportunity I really enjoy being creative, making things or sketching.

Governor Declaration of Interest

Governor roles and responsibilities 2020-21

 All Governors attend full Governing Board meetings (four per year).