If you wish to contact one of our Governors please do so via the school office (office@pocklington-infants.org.uk)
Tom Percy, Co-opted Governor – Safeguarding Link Governor
I am delighted and proud to serve as one of the school’s governors and offered to do so to help support the school in being a happy school where children love learning. My partner and I moved to Pocklington in 2019 and now have a toddler to keep us busy! We have felt truly welcomed by the warm and friendly community here in Pocklington so this is also a way to give back.
I have a keen interest in education and helping children achieve their potential having taught mathematics at secondary schools in Suffolk, Norfolk and York before making a career change. I have since moved into fundraising, working for Macmillan Cancer Support and now The National Trust, and will use my skills and expertise to support the school. I am passionate about hiking and enjoy being out in the wilderness as much as possible.
Tom Harland, Parent Governor – Health and Safety and OPAL (outdoor play and learning) Link Governor
I am really pleased to be contributing to Governance at Pocklington Infants, at this time of great opportunity and transformation for the school. I live in Pocklington with my wife and two sons, one attending Pocklington Juniors and one at Pocklington Infants.
Education and a love of learning has been a constant in my life. I studied a degree in Applied Theatre and Education and then went on to work at a number of theatres, using performance to enhance education and community opportunities. This time also included a spell coordinating the UK’s largest youth drama festival for the National Theatre. I then moved into various roles producing, presenting and social media managing for local and national radio brands, before settling into my current role as a train driver for Transpennine Express.
I passionately believe that our schools should be at the heart of our community and want to join the governing body to help Pocklington Infants flourish into the vibrant, outstanding school we all know it can be.
James Richardson, Parent Governor – Chair of the Resources Committee
I am a Chartered Certified Accountant, having qualified in 2016. In my work, I regularly review the profitability of businesses, and assist with cash flows to ensure future obligations can be met. I also ensure compliance with HMRC and Companies House, as well as with the Charity Commission.
I have a daughter going into Year 2, with my son starting Reception in 2028. Therefore I am passionate about ensuring that they, and everyone else, get the most out of their time at Pocklington CE (VC) Infant School. I’m a problem solver and someone who can see the bigger improvement picture, so I am pleased to be able to have a positive impact in my role as Governor and Chair of the Resources Committee.
Mark Hemsley, Foundation Governor – Inclusion (including SEND) and SIAMs Link Governor
I qualified as a teacher in 1988 and spent my career working in Primary Education across East London, serving as a teacher, Assistant Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher. My leadership roles have included work in both Catholic and Church of England schools, including headship at Wanstead Church School, where I was proud to work with the whole school community and in close partnership with the parish, including positive outcomes at OFSTEd and SIAMS inspection.
Across my career I have taken the opportunities to take on a wide range of responsibilities, to help provide children with a rich learning environment. I have also contributed to borough‑wide initiatives focused on collaboration and professional development, and served as a governor in several schools. I was a member of Redbridge SACRE, supporting the development of the local RE syllabus.
Since retiring in 2023, I now work as an independent celebrant and I remain a committed Anglican worshipper, having held roles such as Eucharistic Minister, PCC member and intercessor in the past. Having relocated to Pocklington in 2026, I am enjoying all that the area has to offer, being closer to family, and getting involved in the local community.
I am delighted to be able to contribute to the Governing Board through my breadth of experience and my long‑standing commitment to church school education.
Portia Hewitt, Co-opted Governor – Chair of Governors, Safeguarding Link Governor
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 – Vice Chair of Governors, Health and Safety, TalkforWriting and EYFS Link Governor
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.
Dianne Attwood, Foundation Governor – SIAMs Link 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.
Lynne Johns, Associate Member – Inclusion (including SEND) Link Governor
I moved to Pocklington in 2021, having lived in York for most of my life, and have really come to value the strong sense of community, the people, and the positive ‘vibe’ of the town. I have two children living in Pocklington and a granddaughter who attends a local nursery, so I feel closely connected to the experiences of families with young children in the area.
I initially trained as a primary school teacher before moving into secondary education, where I worked for almost 20 years as a maths teacher, SENCO, Head of Inclusion and Assistant Headteacher across a range of schools, including specialist settings. For the past ten years, I have worked for the City of York Council as a manager in the Special Educational Needs (SEN) team. My role spans the 0–25 age range and includes leading on sufficiency, outreach support and the implementation of SEND reforms. I am particularly passionate about inclusion, early identification of need, and ensuring that children and families feel heard and receive the right support at the right time.
I am delighted to be joining the governing body at Pocklington Infant School and look forward to contributing to its strong ethos, supporting its staff, and helping to ensure all children feel valued, included and able to thrive, achieving their full potential regardless of their starting point.
Staff Governor, Vacancy
Jenny Rogers, Headteacher
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.