John Allott - Co-opted Governor

John’s background is in social care. Initially working for Wakefield Council as a social worker and social work manager, he subsequently became self-employed and is presently the Managing Partner of a dementia and mental health care facility.

He is the Director of Leeds Care Association and the dementia representative for the Leeds Dementia Partnership.

John's other interests include education (he is a governor at two local schools), community development (he is a Director of Eastmoor Community Project) and sport (he is an active Director at Wakefield Trinity and an original member of Huddersfield Town Blue and White Foundation).

John welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the work of Pinders Primary, which he sees as a genuine community school, striving hard in every way to achieve the very best possible outcomes for our local children and their families.

Emma Caroyl - Co-opted Governor

My name is Emma Caryl, and I work as a Senior Education Recruitment Consultant, helping schools to recruit talented teaching and support staff. I have extensive experience in education compliance and safer recruitment practice. My role involves building strong relationships with schools, supporting candidates throughout their careers and helping to create and maintain safe, effective learning environments for children and young people.

I became a Governor at Pinders Primary School because I am passionate about education and the positive impact that schools have on children's lives. I wanted to use my professional experience to give something back to the local community and support the school in providing the very best opportunities for its pupils. Being a Governor allows me to contribute to the school's ongoing development, while working alongside dedicated staff and fellow governors to help ensure every child feels supported, valued and able to achieve their full potential.

Chloe Davies - Co-opted Governor

Hello, my name is Chloe Davies. I am delighted to be a newly appointed Parent Governor at Pinders Primary.  

I was born in Wakefield & grew up on Eastmoor. I have spent much of my life in the education system from attending local schools, moving onto college and then onto the University of Huddersfield where I studied a BA Hons Degree in Childhood Studies, focusing on helping children with Social Emotional Mental Health needs & Special Educational Needs reach their potential.

I have worked in several schools across the Wakefield District however my most recent employment was at Rainbow Playrooms where my role was Social Media and Relations Manager and Playroom supervisor. I left Rainbow Playrooms to spend the six-week holidays with my daughter before she started here at Pinders Primary.

I am passionate about giving children a voice and breaking any barriers that prevent children from receiving the best outcomes. I have interests in making education more inclusive, promoting positive Mental Health in Children and Staff, and nurturing a love of reading in early childhood.

I believe that Pinders Primary has a modern, healthy understanding of education and I feel privileged to be part of the wonderfully friendly and diverse community Pinders Primary holds.

Janet Davies - Co-opted Governor - Vice Chair

I am delighted to be a recently appointed governor at Pinders Primary School. I spent approximately 30 years in secondary education, teaching mainly German and also managing the MFL faculty. When I retired from this role in 2019, I knew that I would miss being involved with schools and students and therefore began volunteering in primary schools, listening to the youngsters read (a role which I continue with). I was very happy to be asked to become further involved in the progress and development of the students and Pinders Primary by being invited to become a governor. I look forward to working with all interested parties to make sure that we all achieve the very best for our young people and to ensure that Pinders continues to be a school that is welcoming, happy and inclusive and sets itself high expectations for students and staff alike.

Stuart Heptinstall - Local Authority Governor

I have lived in the Wakefield all my life . I started my education at Manygates Infants School before attending Sandal Magna Junior School until the family moved to Eastmoor. I completed my last year in junior school at Heath View Junior School. The secondary modern school I opted for was Manygates Senior Secondary Modern.

On leaving school I applied for a mining craft electrical apprenticeship with the National Coal Board at the age of fifteen. On being accepted on the coal boards scheme , I started work at Park Hill Colliery, After completing my indentured apprenticeship I qualified to work as an electrician on the surface and underground in the mining industry.

I am married to Christine and have three children , two boys and a girl .All three were educated at Heath View Junior and Eastmoor High School as it was known then. We have seven grand children, whom we have been fortunate to see grow up in the Wakefield area.

Due to the closure of the mining operations in the Wakefield area I transferred my place of employment to Riccall mine in the Selby area in 1983, but decided to travel to the Selby coal field to work. Being a member of the local mines Mines Rescue team, Fire Fighting team and having  studied at Leeds University adult education centre (industrial history & industrial law) for two years whilst at Park Hill Colliery. I took the decision to change my function in the mining industry from electrical to safety.

So on starting work at Riccall mine I established the two Mines Rescue teams required at that mine. I continued my further education by returning to Barnsley collage and gained City & Guild certificates Safety Officers , Fire Officers Dust Officers , Noise Officers and was responsible for the safety function of that mine  on behalf of the mine manager, until I took  early retirement whilst employed at Riccall mine as the Mines Safety Officer. My appointment of Local Authority Governor over thirty years ago at Pinders Primary Junior & Infants school was a way of being involved with the future citizens of our area  . Having been involved with all kinds of community work over the years and gained experience in local politics , residents groups  and social groups  I am really pleased to play a part in bringing the school and community together. I attend Governors meetings, training sessions and work with other governors and staff to improve the academic and life skill qualities of our future citizens who will need to reach their potential for use in their society.

Pat Mckenzie-Elliot - Associate Governor

Hello my name is Pat McKenzie-Elliott and I have been a governor at Pinders since October 2021.  I have worked in Education for 25 years, 20 of those in Primary schools as a school business manager.  I wanted to work on the front line as I am passionate about providing our children with the best start in life, especially within education.  I am nearing retirement and wanted to give something back; so when I saw the vacancy for governor at my grandchildren’s’ school, it seemed the perfect opportunity as there is a great need across the county for school governors.  I could see the dedication of the staff and their commitment to pastoral care and hope that I can support them in the coming years.

Sarah Pickering - Parent Governor

My name is Sarah Pickering and have been a Parent Governor here at Pinders Primary School since November 2019. I have lived in Wakefield since 2013 with my Husband Matthew and our Daughter, who is currently in Year 1 at Pinders, I have worked in retail since 2007 and I currently part manage a furniture shop.

I have wanted to become more involved in school right from the very beginning of my Daughters time here at Pinders, it's a great school with fantastic staff who work very hard to ensure our children get a great education and I fully believe in the importance of a great working relationship between Parents/Carers and the school.

The role of Parent Governor, I’m sure, is as rewarding as it is challenging and valuable in learning about how the school works and being able to assist in its progress, this is something I am very passionate about as I believe all children should have the best start in life. 

Shab Saleem - Associate Governor

Shab Saleem

Shruti Shah - Co-opted Governor

Shruti Shah

Hajra Shah - Parent Governor

Tom Slack - Co-opted Govenor - Chair of Governors

Tom’s background is in Forestry, Outdoor Leadership and Forest School. Having been in the scouts since he was five, Tom worked his way up as a Scout and subsequent volunteer to become District Commissioner for the Heavy Woollen Scout District, looking after 14 scout groups and over 700 children. After the birth of his own children and moving back closer to home, Tom now helps run his local scout troop. 

Tom fell in love with forest school over 5 years ago, striking out on his own to form Yorkshire Wildlings CIC, of which he is the owner and Managing Director. Tom works with 10 schools per week to deliver forest school sessions to their pupils, including Pinders Primary! 

Tom is a published author and has a keen interest in the outdoors and bushcraft. The setting up of Yorkshire Wildlings allowed the company to start giving back to its local community, with Tom firmly believing the outdoors should be accessible to everyone. 

“I look forward to the opportunity of working closely with the staff and pupils at Pinders Primary, helping to grow and develop our wonderful pupils into amazing adults through trust, kindness and leading by example, and working closely with families to support and nurture growth.”  

Danielle Williamson - Associate  Governor

Danielle Williamson

Annabel Young - Staff Governor

I am currently the Year 4 class teacher at Pinders Primary and have worked at Pinders for almost five years, first as a teaching assistant and then as the Year 2 class teacher. I have lived in Wakefield for the majority of my life, but spent 4 years living in Australia with my family, as a teenager. As such, I have a strong connection to Australia and try to visit my friends there as often as I can. 

I enjoy working with children and have always aspired to be a primary school teacher. Learning has always been a passion of mine and being able to encourage and foster a love of learning within my class, gives me a great sense of pride. 

In my spare time, I enjoy cooking and travelling as often as I can, along with reading, especially crime fiction, and try to continue to learn new skills.