If you wish to contact one of our Governors please do so via the school office (office@pocklington-infants.org.uk)
KERRY LOYNS – PARENT GOVERNOR – CHAIR OF RESOURCES COMMITTEE
My son David attended Pocklington Infants School from 2022 – 2024. I qualified as a Primary School teacher in 2003 and, until moving to Pocklington from Essex in January 2022, worked in Primary education in a variety of roles including over ten years experience of working as a member of the Senior Leadership Team as a Deputy Headteacher, Assistant Headteacher, SENDCo and class teacher. I have experience of teaching and working with children of all ages across the Primary phase. I also held the position of staff governor for several years at a Primary School in Essex.
AMY KING – STAFF GOVERNOR
I am delighted to be staff governor here at Pocklington Infant School, I have been at this school for 7 years. Initially I was employed to set up the school nursery. When this was established and going from strength to strength, I moved into Reception as a class teacher. I then took on the Early Years Foundation Stage lead role with Ms Braidley, our nursery teacher. I am now also a member of the Senior Leadership Team with responsibility for assessment across the school as well as PSHE.
I have been a staff governor for the past 4 years, with previous experience of being a parent governor at my children’s school for 5 years, I have three children ranging from 13 to 3. I am in the unique position of seeing our school vision of happy children, loving learning in person every day, and am very proud of what we have achieved as a school since I have been here.
ANNIE HARRISON – FOUNDATION GOVERNOR
My family and I moved to the area, permanently in 2009, to provide continuity of education for our children. As my husband had been in the army and I had been the daughter of a soldier, going to several schools as a result, I am passionate about education and providing the best support and resources possible for the young people in our community.
I am a Licensed Lay Minister in the Pocklington group of churches, and a part of the Open the Book team, taking bible stories into six primary schools in the local area. I also volunteer at Young People Count, on Railway Street, once a week. In my previous career, I was an Executive Assistant. I later worked at British Rail setting up a nationwide telecommunication safety network. When my husband was posted to Australia, I gave up work to have a family, but once the children were both at school, I became a Lunchtime Supervisor and Teaching Assistant, providing occasional admin support in the office of the children’s school in London. We returned to East Yorkshire in 2009, when I became a TA and Lunchtime Supervisor at Warter CE Primary School.
PORTIA HEWITT – CO-OPTED GOVERNOR – Chair of Governors, Responsible for Vulnerable Children and Member of the Resources Committee
I moved to Pocklington in 2010 and live here with my husband and two children, one currently attends Pocklington Infants the other attends Pocklington Junior School. I joined the Board of Governors in July 2024 and feel proud to contribute to the strategic vision and overall management of the school, which forms such an important part of our local community. I have previously worked in the arts charity sector, Local Government (both in York and East Riding), External Relations in Higher Education and in my current role as Corporate Strategy and Partnerships Manager at the Local Authority in York. In the past, I have been involved in many school and community projects as well as delivering project work for The Prince’s Foundation for Children and Arts, Youth Dance England and The Rugby League World Cup in 2013. I am passionate about music and run a small early music choir.
AMY MOORE – LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR Responsible for vulnerable children and EYFS
I am proud to be a governor at Pocklington C.E. Infant School where happy children love learning. Research tells us the quality of a child’s first few years of education has a lasting impact on the rest of their lives. I believe every child should have an excellent start to school life and as a governor I offer challenge and hold the Headteacher and the Senior Leadership team to account for its educational performance and strategic direction. Alongside this, I aim to support the school leaders and strive to be a critical friend. I am passionate about child education and supporting each child to reach their potential. I used to be a Specialist Leader of Education as a teacher and senior leader in multiple schools in London. I, now, work as a School Improvement Officer for the local authority. My family and I moved to Pocklington in 2022 and enjoy the calm, friendly community in Pocklington. Both my children are at the school and we enjoy the friendly community the school creates.
DIANE ATTWOOD – FOUNDATION GOVERNOR
I have lived in Pocklington since 1994 and love being a part of the community.I am a recently retired teacher and have worked in the two Pocklington secondary schools, three local primary schools, a few other East Riding secondary schools and schools in York, Essex, Cheshire and France.
Both my children happily attended Pocklington Infants: during that time, I served on the Governing Body. I am a confirmed member of the Anglican Church: I attended All Saints Church regularly as my children were growing up and was a member of the Church Choir. I am keen on sport, participating in several groups locally: I am also a member of an Early Music Chamber Choir and a season ticket holder at Barnsley Football Club.
As a new grandparent, I am keen to engage with early years education. As a member of the church and our community in Pocklington, I am keen to contribute to the school’s vision of a happy, flourishing child, in a flourishing school community. In my role as Foundation Governor, I will be pleased to play my part in upholding the school’s Christian values.
Governor Roles in Other Educational Institutions
Several of our Governors have roles in other local schools:
Amy Moore works for the East Riding Local Authority
Portia Hewitt works for York Local Authority
Register of Governor Interest Guidance
Governors must declare any relevant business interests as well as the details of any other educational establishments they govern. The register must also set out any relationships between governors and members of the schools’ staff including spouses, partners and relatives. It is important to address any perception of a conflict of interests by making clear where such potential personal or pecuniary interests might apply; this might be a conflict between personal interests and the interests of the school or the Council when dealing with outside organisations or individuals.
Note 1. Pecuniary interest includes current employment, businesses (of which partner/proprietor), company directorship, charity trusteeship and other conflict.
Note 2. Personal Interests can also include business involvement/company directorship or trusteeships or family or close connections to the governor (for example a company the school might have contracts with).
Examples (potential conflicts):
- A governor whose spouse/partner is employed by the school: Should not take part in discussions regarding the school’s pay policy or any staffing matter that might impact their partner. Both direct and indirect decisions might impact the salary range of senior staff e.g. increasing pupil numbers.
- A governor involved with any committee group, business or after-school club who hires part of the school: Should not be a party to discussion involving the use of the school or their charging policy.
- A governor who is a supplier of goods or services to the school: Should not take part in decisions regarding the letting of contracts for that type of goods or services where a sub-contract relationship might exist.
The register of governor interests must also include details of attendance records at the governing body meetings and committees over the year and reviewed and updated on an annual basis indicating also when a governor steps down.
Associate governors must be included on the register and it should be clear when they have voting rights.