East Ardsley Primary Academy

Alex Gilston

(Chair of Governors)

I was born and raised in East Ardsley and attended the old Infant and Junior schools before finishing my education at Woodkirk High School. I have a degree in Civil and Structural Engineering and I am an Incorporated Engineer with the Institution of Civil Engineers.

I am driven, adaptable, professional, risk averse and committed to the role of a Governor.  I have the ability to question and analyse problems and offer the best possible solution.  I am committed to engaging within a team environment and have good inter-personal skills. I have excellent numeracy and literacy skills with a good understanding of Finance, Legal, HR, Computing and Data Analysis.

I currently work as a Senior Engineer with an International Multi-disciplinary Design consultancy and have extensive experience of working on major projects for clients worldwide, on Government schemes for the Ministry of Defence, National Highways and the UK Water Utility companies.

Term of office ends: July 2025.

Rev. Mark Watson

(Vice Chair of Governors)

I’ve had the privilege of being a Governor at several schools during my ministry, and I am currently Vice Chair of Governors at East Ardsley Primary Academy. I’m able to draw upon training and experience from both my secular career and my career in Church ministry, with skills including leadership development, staff management, and data analysis as well as a qualification in mindfulness-based CBT.

I am passionate about education and keen to support local schools and the staff team in creating an atmosphere and culture in which children can flourish, grow, and reach their full potential. I’m also passionate about community cohesion and engagement, seeking to develop beneficial links between all community stakeholders. I am the link Governor for Behaviour & Attitudes and Personal Development.

Term of office ends: September 2026.

Laura Martindale

(Parent Governor)

Pen portrait to follow.

Term of office ends: September 2026.

Graham Pollard

(Co-opted Governor)

I have been a Social Worker for  over 17 years working with children and disadvantaged families, working alongside various partner agencies in order to find the best outcomes for children and facilitate positive change.

As a parent of two children attending East Ardsley Primary Academy, I aim to bring my professional skills and experience in order to offer both high levels of support and challenge, so that all our children can reach their full potential during this important stage of their lives.

Term of office ends: November 2026.

Cllr Karen Renshaw

(Co-opted Governor)

I have been a Governor at East Ardsley since the time when the school was a split site Primary School. My own daughter attended here during her Primary Years which gave me more of an insight as to how the school operated and what its strengths and weaknesses were at the time. This has supported me in ensuring a broader empathetic understanding was used when making decisions focusing from a child’s perspective. I work as a Nursery Nurse and have a hands on experience of how to achieve the highest potential for every child, focusing on the best achievements for all, with continuous progression. I am familiar with the EYFS stages of development and have had training relating to Child Abuse, Pediatric First Aid and Food Hygiene as well as restorative practice which is a familiar method used in a range of Leeds Schools.

I sit on Children’s Services Scrutiny Board of Leeds City Council. Although the school is now part of a Multi-Academy Trust I still have to consider the services available within the Authority and ensure that the standards of East Ardsley Academy are improving to allow the school to become an outstanding school for the benefit of all. This incorporates the quality of staff and consistency for all pupils as “Every Child Matters”.

Term of office ends: July 2028

Trevor Sherborne

(Co-opted Governor)

I am a lifelong resident of East Ardsley and believe in getting involved in all element of village life. I volunteer for many community events and feel that the school is the heart of the community so it’s important to me to offer my support in growing the success of the school for future generations. 

Term of office ends: July 2028.

Sarah Talbot

(Principal)

I started my teaching career as a teacher in a junior school in Huddersfield before moving to a primary school in Birstall and then onto headship of a primary school in Wakefield.  I joined East Ardsley Primary Academy as Principal in September 2015. Throughout this time I have taken on all manner of leadership roles; including SENCo and Literacy Co-ordinator, and taught every age group from 5 to 11 year olds. 

I believe I have an in-depth knowledge of how children learn and have been privileged to work with a huge range of inspirational teachers and children who have helped to shape my philosophy of education. I focus on developing an inclusive ethos that ensures every child is considered and their needs met to enable them to flourish both socially and emotionally, and academically.

Amie Trigwell

(Parent Governor)

Pen portrait to follow.

Term of office ends: September 2026.

Susan Volante

(Co-opted Governor)

I joined the Governing Body due to my breadth of skills and inclusive policies which are based on the National Guidance. As a local childminder I am involved with children of all Primary School ages and the expectations in relation to their achievements. My experiences cover a wide range of abilities and taking into account my “ Every Child Matters” which allows me to cover areas of the curriculum and build links between local families, childminders and the school and ensuring inclusive policies are applied to give the best start and achievements to all.

I stretch the skills of the children I care for to ensure they make the best attempts to reach their full potential. I follow the EYFS Guidance, attending Courses at weekends to ensure I keep up to date with Policies or build on my skills. This knowledge I can share or bring to the Governing Body to enhance the work of the school. Being aware of transitions when starting school allows me to make it smoother for children within the local community. I have been childminding in this local area for over 21 years. I love helping the children I look after learn, develop and build their self confidence.

In addition to my passion as a childminder I facilitate a baby and toddler group which I have done for the past 10 years at St Gabriel’s Community Centre, 2 mornings a week. This enables parents, guardians and carers from the local area to bring their children to engage and have fun with others of a similar age range and also meet other parents.

Term of office ends: July 2028.

Emily Willans

(Staff Governor)