Meet Our Governors

Chair of Governors

Mr Stephen Walker

I became a Governor at Barlby Bridge CP School in 2008. I had just retired from 37 years teaching and was asked if I would like to join the board. At that time, two of my grandsons were pupils and I had a wealth of experience in education, so I said yes. I now serve as Chair of the Governing Body, playing a small part in the continuing success of our school. I have varied interests which include cycling, walking football, travel, painting and I am a lay preacher for the United Reformed Church.

Co-Opted Governor

Mrs Kirsty Hanks

I work in the local community and my 3 children have all attended Barlby Bridge, so I became a Governor in 2010 because I wanted to help the school. Initially I served as parent Governor. Currently I am a co-opted Governor and the Vice Chair of the Standards and pupils committee although I have also served on the Finance Committee. I am also a Governor at Selby High School and this gives me a great insight into the next stage of our children’s journey and Key Stage 3.

When I am able I love to travel and I enjoy reading in my spare time.

Co-Opted Governor

In Memory of

Mr Brian Marshall

Brian attended Barlby Bridge school as a boy and he touched the lives of many children in the school through his role as Governor. He sadly passed away in June 2019.

Brian was involved in local and County politics and was a very active member of Barlby Town Council.

Parent Governor

Mrs Katy Spink

Co-opted Governor

Dr Kim Wailling

I saw a vacancy for School Governor at Barlby Bridge primary school in the Parish magazine and I thought I would apply. I had benefited from a brilliant primary education. Many of my adult interests, such as my love of chess, reading and music came from being taught by superb teachers who enriched my education by organising clubs and out-of-school visits.

I had watched my own (now adult) children make their way through primary schools but at times felt frustrated that they had not experienced the sheer delight of school life that I was offered. As a School Governor, I felt that I could play a part in helping Barlby Bridge primary school offer children the first class education that all children deserve. I have a background in education and many of the skills I bring to the Governing body relate to monitoring pupil performance data and the implementation of school policy.

Parent Governor

Mrs Vikki Cahill

I have been a Governor at Barlby Bridge School for about  4 years.

Co-opted Governor

In memory of

Mr Jeff Coultish who sadly passed away on 12th August. Our thoughts are with Jeff’s family at this time. We have many happy memories of our wonderful Govenor and friend who touched the lives of so many.

I became a Governor at Barlby Bridge primary school in 1990 because I wanted to help the school and the governing body move forwards. I am a carpenter by trade and for 19 years I ran a local news agency. This meant that I knew everyone within the local community, including children and their families from Barlby Bridge. I was educated in Selby so I have my roots here in the town and I have an affinity with the local schools.

In my time on the Governing Body I have served as the vice chair and as chair for a six month period. I have also served on all the committees and I am currently health and safety governor. I believe it is important that the governing body works to check, and ensure, that standards are upheld and that budgets are best spent in the key areas.

I have used my joining skills to help as a handyman and the business skills that I have acquired mean that I am able to check and monitor trade work conducted within the school and contribute to discussions as part of the finance committee that I serve on.

I visit and support the work of pupils in the school twice a week and I have regularly attended residential visits when required.

Vice Chair

Local Authority Governor

Miss Julie Duckett

My name is Julie Duckett. I have been a Governor at Barlby Bridge School for several years. I currently hold the position of Vice-chair of the governors and chair the committee meetings for curriculum, Standards and pupil. I have always worked with in the education sector primarily in Early Years.

I became a parent governor at the school because I wanted to become more involved in my children’s learning.  I feel it is important all children are given the upmost opportunities to enable all them to reach their true potential, here at Barlby Bridge these opportunities are given along with a strong sense of belonging and friendly community approach to learning. Barlby Bridge is a wonderful school and it is a pleasure to be a part of it.

Staff Governor

Miss J Ellis

My name is Jo Ellis and I have been a teacher at Barlby Bridge School for 22 years. I enjoy being the phase leader and a class teacher in Key Stage One and I am also the school Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

I am the staff representative at governors’ meetings and because of my knowledge of the school and my different roles I am able to represent the staff and the children so that their voices and ideas contribute to the strategic planning of the school.