Summerfield Governor Profiles

Kath Halliday, Chair of Governors

My name is Kath Halliday and I was appointed as a Local Authority Governor in 2007 to Summerfield Primary School. I was educated at Upper Wortley Primary school, West Leeds Girls High, Lancashire College of Agriculture/Reading University. I retired in 2012 following a career of 45 years in Agriculture. I became Chair of Governors at Summerfield in October 2017. My specific areas of responsibility can be found on the Summerfield website. I am also a Library Governor at the school. Apart from enjoying being a Governor I also enjoy reading and gardening. I also have an allotment.

Fiona Kirkwood– Head teacher  

I am now in my 2nd year of Headship following on from 24 years’ experience progressing from being a Class Teacher through to leadership responsibilities. I joined the Summerfield team 11 years ago as Assistant Head. I always wanted to teach and feel I have been in a very privileged position in being able to do so. I qualified as a teacher in 1997. I joined the Governing body in October 2018. I am enjoying this role, working alongside an enthusiastic and committed team. I have two children. My son is 18 and my daughter is 14. Both my children are very active. My daughter plays for Leeds United and my son competes in Muay Thai. I also enjoy exercising and time at the gym really helps my mental health and well-being. My favourite hobby is spending time with family and friends. My approach to having the privilege of this responsibility is based on taking a whole child perspective to secure positive emotional health and well-being in order to support the most effective learning experience - and children achieving to their true potential, being the best they can be and valuing life-long learning. I love my job! 

Miff Howarth- Deputy Head teacher 

I am the Deputy Headteacher at Summerfield and started this role in January 2021. I have been a teacher for 18 years and prior to starting at Summerfield I was the Maths Subject Leader for 14 years and held various leadership roles. I am deeply committed to ensuring that all pupils and staff have the opportunity to thrive and have a strong interest in pupil and staff wellbeing. I am passionate about the teaching of maths and believe that children should have a deep conceptual understanding of maths through the use of practical equipment and models and images. I am an avid reader and want to instil a love of reading in all the children at Summerfield. At home I live with my husband and my 11 year old son. We recently bought a campervan and we are looking forward to exploring Yorkshire and further afield in the UK this year. My main hobby is gardening. I have a large allotment and spend as much time as I can there to support my own wellbeing and to have a connection with nature. I am looking forward to connecting the pupils and staff of Summerfield to nature through developing our school grounds and making sure outdoor learning is a part of all curriculum areas. I’m very excited about working at Summerfield and I am thrilled to be a member of the team.

Wendy Rhodes

I started volunteering as a Governor in early 2018. I work for a financial services Outsourcer with sites across the UK and Ireland and am responsible for managing risk across a large range of projects. I believe it's important to be an active member of my local community and want my 4 children to grow up to do the same. I am a Committee member of Farsley in Bloom and was thrilled that I was asked to be a Governor at Summerfield. I look forward to being able to help Summerfield continue to be a school that's enthusiastic, committed and passionate in supporting pupil's growth and learning.

Paul Sayner

Governor since 2006, originally as a parent Governor as my two children attended Summerfield. I am class Governor for FS1. I mainly support Governance of school as a member of the Resources Committee with a particular interest in the premises to ensure that safeguarding is good and that the school is also well maintained. I complete health and safety walkabouts with the Superintendent Mr. Wood each half term and support any action needed. From September 2017 I have expended my role to meet with the PE Leader in school, Mrs Wood, to discuss the PE curriculum and how we spend our sports premium money. I enjoy my role in school and I have been on trips as a class governor and I visit my class each term. My job outside of school is electronic security and my interests include DIY, snooker and golf - when it isn't raining.

Louise Sanderson

 I am a former pupil of Summerfield, and look back at my time at School with happy memories. I work for the Council in HR & payroll administration and was interested in doing some volunteering so when the opportunity to support Summerfield came up I was thrilled. After leaving School I studied and also worked for the NHS prior to joining Leeds City Council. I enjoy supporting School, helping out where I can and am proud to be part of the largest volunteer workforce in the UK. I look forward to continuing to support Summerfield, and its wonderful children in the future. Outside of work I am a mum and step mum and my son has recently started in the Foundation Stage in Summerfield.

Jo Purdie Cole

 I started as a Governor at Summerfield Primary in May 2018. I moved to Leeds in 1997 to train to be a teacher. I have experience of working in mainstream primary and secondary schools. 13 years ago I started work as a teacher at the West SILC (Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre) in Stanningley. I have progressed from class teacher to middle leader and senior leader. I feel passionately about the education of all children and young people, especially those with SEND. My personal qualities that apply to this role are; integrity, good sense of humour, friendly and good communicator. I am married with 2 amazing step children aged 16 and 13. Personally, a work/life balance is really important, particularly time with my husband and step children. I enjoy reading and have been a member of a book club for nearly 10 years. I love walks along the canal and opportunities to travel, especially to European destinations. When I get the time and opportunity I really enjoy being creative, making things or sketching.

Governor Declaration of Interest