Russell is a recently retired Secondary Headteacher, Executive Headteacher and Local Leader of Education. He worked for 38 years in South Yorkshire schools initially as a teacher of Physical Education before moving into middle and senior leadership. Russell is passionate about the impact education can have on improving the life chances of young people especially disadvantaged students. He brings a wealth of experience in secondary education and understands the challenges and opportunities that secondary schools and trusts face. Russell is an advocate for the school led system and is keen to influence trust board decisions which will impact on the lives of future generations.
Russell has lived in the Pontefract area for most of his life, his son and daughter both attended New College Pontefract. He is a keen sportsman and has enjoyed participating in and watching sport.
I am currently married and a mother to a son and two daughters. I am a proud grandma to five grandchildren. Before retiring I was employed as a Deputy Headteacher in the Primary sector with responsibilities for SEND and Safeguarding. I also held the role of SENCo for a several years. This interest has led me to my current role as a SEND support worker. I have 25 years’ experience of Governance both in the Primary and Secondary sector. 15 years of this in the role of Chair going from Special Measures to Good. Whilst my passion lies with SEND and Safeguarding, I have experience of all areas of governance.
Nick is a Chartered Surveyor and for the past 12 years he has been a joint owner and director of 3 main businesses within the Sirius Group of Companies, employing 20 staff and comprising Environmental Engineering, Planning and Renewable Energy (developing wind turbines and solar farms). Nick was previously a parent governor at Thorpe Hesley infants, juniors and primary school and a parent governor and Trustee at Wingfield Academy.
As an ex-Wingfield Academy student Jamie is enthusiastic about giving back to the school and the local community which served him well.
Still at the early stages of his career Jamie works as a marketing consultant to e-commerce businesses with an analytical approach and a keen eye for attention to detail. He is a keen sportsman recently playing and coaching football at a high standard and enjoys participating in sporting events.
I have two children, my youngest is currently a pupil at Wingfield Academy. I have been a school governor in other schools but never where my children have attended, I wanted to be a part of and support the school that my child attends, so this is an exciting opportunity for me. I have worked at the Department for Education for over 6 years in various roles/teams, building my knowledge of different aspects of the educational world. At present I work for the Education Skills and Funding Agency which is part of the Department for Education. Prior to this, I spent 19 years in the private sector working in retail and hospitality management. Excellent customer service is always my priority and I am very much a people-person!.
My ethos is to ‘make a difference’ to peoples’ lives, this led me into my career in Pharmacy and has been my guiding principle in each role I have subsequently held. From working in a pharmacy as a Pharmacist/Manager through my recent roles in Boots head office I’ve always focused on how I can directly or through other, positively impact patients. I work currently as the Senior Manager responsible for professional capability at Boots and my previous role as Professional Standards (Governance) Manager for Boots UK, both roles have brought valuable insights I feel would support me as an Advisory Group Member of Wingfield Academy. I am also the vice chair of the Local Pharmaceutical Committee for Barnsley; I support and deputise for the chair of the group. I am an active committee member on behalf of contractors in Barnsley and patients across the borough. My son is currently at the academy and my daughter will be joining the academy in a couple of years, so I have a very personal commitment to the ongoing success of the academy.
Gareth Barker is the Chief Operating Officer and a Board Director at Sheffield Forgemasters, a company owned by the Ministry of Defence. He is responsible for the entire operational and production elements of the 64 acre site.
Gareth started working at Sheffield Forgemasters at the age of 19 as an apprentice machinist and over the years, worked his way up through the business, taking various management and director roles to become one of three executive board directors.
He oversees all manufacturing output at the site and takes overall responsibility for the company’s £400 million recapitalisation programme, to create one of the world’s most advanced large-scale engineering facilities.
Gareth oversees manufacturing for industries as diverse as defence, civil nuclear, offshore and wider power generation markets and also has to enable, upskill and inspire the company’s 600 strong workforce.
I am a mum of two teenagers, one of whom is currently a pupil at Wingfield Academy. I have always been an active parent within my children’s school on a voluntary basis, and I wanted to again support the school my child attends and I am hoping to do this by being part of the advisory group.
I have been a registered general nurse for 24 years now and within my career I spent 10 years working and supporting children, teenagers and their families though their cancer treatment.
I am always organising and planning events for groups of friends and local groups that my children have attended over the years and I am looking forwards to being part of the advisory group in supporting the school in achieving their goals.
