Pen Portraits

Minutes of the governing body meeting are available on request from the clerk – admin@sotterington.dalesmat.org

You can contact the Chair of governors at: cofg@sotterington.dalesmat.org

 The Governing Body

Miss Amanda Gledhill – Headteacher

I was delighted to begin my appointment as the Headteacher at South Otterington Church of England Primary School in September 2017. Every day I am very thankful to work in our fabulous school, where everyone is so committed to ensuring that our children have an engaging curriculum and fantastic opportunities every day.

Mr Damian Chubb – CEO

Damian Chubb is the Chief Executive Officer for the Dales Academies Trust.

More information is available on the Trust website.

Mrs Andrea Jenkinson – SENDCo

I have been working in Early Years education for thirty six years initially as a nursery nurse in Sunderland and North Tyneside and currently as the EYFS Lead and SENDCo.

I have two children Peter and Illy, Pete is a mechanical fitter working for a bus company in York and my daughter Illy has just returned to university in London where she is training to be a teacher herself. I am super proud of both of them and their achievements.

I am very proud to be part of the South Otterington team as we move the school forward with our aspiring vision.

Mr Terry Cane

Currently apart from my role as chair of governors at South Otterington, I am chair of governors at the Cornerstone group of schools, also part of the Dales Academy Trust. I am also a governor of a school in another trust.

I supported over 30 schools as a National Leader of Governance, including primary, secondary and schools with different Ofsted gradings. The role has included supporting chairs of governors, facilitating governing board self-evaluations and leading effective governance training sessions.

I have undertaken various governor training, mainly for N L G designation , External Reviews of Governance, Safeguarding, Safer Recruitment, School Finance, school admissions and oversubscription.

I have served as a school governor from 2002, as chair of governors since 2006

I am a keen golfer play regularly in club competitions, I enjoy gardening walking and when necessary, D I Y.

Not sure if it’s a hobby, I prepare the parish accounts for the 2 parishes where I attend church.

Mrs Jackie Lee

I was appointed by the Diocese of York as a foundation governor in October 2021. It is a pleasure to work with the staff and pupils at the school. As foundation governor I have a special interest in the relationship between the school and the church.

I previously served as a school governor when I was a teacher of maths and science and Head of Chemistry at high schools in Bradford and latterly in Middlesbrough. At South Otterington, I have specific responsibility for science and mathematics.

One of my two daughters is an Education Welfare Officer in the Kirklees district and my granddaughter is a primary school teacher. I also have grandchildren in full-time education, some with special needs.

I am secretary for the Thorntons and Otteringtons PCC (the governing body for the church) and am involved in the running of the village hall and St Leonard’s Church at Thornton-le-Street.

My hobbies include gardening, and crafting. I walk regularly as a member of a local walking group.

Deanne Howell

My name is Deanne Howell. I am a Parent Governor.
I qualified as a Nursery Nurse in 1990 and have spent my career working in different childcare establishments.
I raised my four children and became a Foster Carer in 2005. I have looked after 34 children and specialised in caring for sibling groups.
I am interested in disability and disadvantage and how that impacts on education and learning.
I am married to Steve, and we moved to Thornton-le-Moor just over a year ago. I should say my hobbies are gardening, since we have taken on a huge garden but unfortunately that is not the case. I love spending time with my two granddaughters, our grown-up children and keeping fit.

Tom Hanson

I am a parent governor.

I grew up on my parents’ farm and was a pupil at Brompton Community Primary School and Northallerton School & Sixth Form College, before heading off for further study and the world of work.

I am a Chartered Civil Engineer, and having moved regularly with work over the intervening period, we returned as a family to the area in 2013.

I am married to Elizabeth and our daughters currently attend the school.

I have supported the development of engineers for many years now including as a Mentor, Supervising Civil Engineer (formal company training programmes), Reviewer (Technician, Incorporated and Chartered Engineer examinations), and End Point Assessor (Level 3 and 4 Apprenticeships).

I enjoy spending time with my family, hiking, cycling, orienteering and swimming.

Mr Andrew Walker

I am a foundation governor, with specific oversight responsibility for collective worship, religious studies and the school’s budget.

I joined the governing body in December 2021, having moved to South Otterington from a hamlet near Harrogate in early 2021.

Previously, I served as a parent governor on the governing body of All Saints’ CoE Primary School in Kirkby Overblow, which my children attended.

Before retiring in 2020, I was an audit partner in a global firm of chartered accountants, so I have a particular expertise in Finance matters. I am married to Debbie (who volunteers at the school) and we have two grown up children, one of whom graduated from Oxford and is now training to be a primary school teacher at Manchester University, and the other is an apprentice accountant. I spend most of my spare time restoring our house, and a little less time cycling, running and swimming! Debbie and I are regular attendees at St Andrew’s Church in South Otterington.

Mrs Lynn Wild

I was very lucky during my working life to be part of four schools in the Northallerton area and prior to that in private industry in my native North East.  I am hoping the skills I gained over a 50-year career will add value to the Governing Body of South Otterington CE Primary School.  Specifically, I have a good knowledge of school finance, safeguarding, leadership and management and health and safety.  In addition, I have previously served as a School Governor and attended the majority of Governor Meetings in my last role as a School Business Manager at Hambleton & Richmondshire PRS.  Now retired I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and walking in the Lake District with my husband.  I am enthusiastic and eager to use my expertise to support everyone who is part of this thriving school.