I am the Sports Link governor and have recently been appointed the Chair of the Personnel and Resources Committee.
Veronica Saville
I was appointed staff Governor in May 2017. I am Link Governor for Safeguarding and form part of the Personnel & Resources Committee.
I have worked at Rook’s Nest Academy for the past 21 years, in a variety of roles. My journey began as a volunteer when my son started at the school (He is now 25). I then worked as a dinner lady, a Support Worker for children with special needs, a Classroom Assistant and a Playworker. In 2007 I played a part in setting up Rook’s Nest Early birds Breakfast and Afterschool Club and ultimately became the Manager in charge of the day to day running of Rook’s Nest Academy Childcare.
I am passionate about the education and welfare of all young people and will strive in my role as Governor to ensure that the children at Rook’s Nest receive the best possible education and opportunities to support their learning & development.
For anyone wishing to speak to me, I am in the Playground each morning 8.45am-9.00am.
Joanne Smith
R Overton
As a parent myself (both of my boys went to Rook’s Nest Academy) I am well aware of how important it is to ensure that children have the best opportunity to reach their potential. I became a governor of the Academy in 2017. In addition to my general governor duties, I am SEN (Special Educational Needs) link governor and sit on the Personnel & Resources and Secondary Committees.
I work in IT Engineering for a large financial services organisation, leading a large, multi-disciplinary team across multiple UK and international locations. The nature of my work means that I have built up considerable experience of general operational, financial, risk, team / people and stakeholder management.
Being a governor allows me to use my professional skills to support the Academy and its community of pupils, staff and parents.
R Long
- From Shiremoor, a small village in South-East Northumberland, just 3 miles from Whitley Bay;
- Brought up by grandparents, Norman, a miner, and grandma Cissy (Elizabeth Ann), a housewife;
- Studied Pharmacy at Bath University – awarded third class honours;
- Trained to be a primary school teacher at Bradford;
- Worked in First Schools in Bradford as class teacher (Reception, Year 1), and also as a liaison teacher, working with families;
- Studied at Sheffield University for a Master’s degree
- Studied at Lancaster University for a PhD in Education;
- Worked in teacher education at Bretton Hall, Wakefield;
- Worked on ‘raising aspirations’ projects in primary schools in West and South Yorkshire, encouraging Y6 pupils to consider university as a future option.
C Rowell
I am looking forward to providing support and challenge to the school as a new parent governor. I have boys in Y1 and nursery. I have been employed by Wakefield Council for nearly 30 years and I work within the Council’s Early Years Team where I support the delivery and the funding of the free places for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
Having attended my first Governing Body meeting my initial impressions are that the school is well organised and has strong leadership and management.