Governor Details - Fairfield School

Tony Pruchniewicz

Chair of Governors (NLG)

I have been a Governor at various local schools for over 20 years, having lived in the area for over 35 years and joined the Governing Body at Fairfield in November 2016.

I qualified as a National Leader of Governance (NLG) 4 years ago and have visited many mainstream and special schools throughout the North of England. In that role I have been able to coach Governors and Headteachers through challenging situations. I bring these experiences and skills to benefit Fairfield School to aid the existing highly skilled Governors and staff to enhance the teaching and learning experiences that our students deserve.

John Page

Headteacher

I have worked in SEND provision for 35 years within Kirklees and have been privileged to work at Fairfield for the past 7 years as headteacher.

I started my teaching career initially as a general class teacher and music specialist and over the past years have extended my skills and experience to successful leadership positions.

I continue to be passionate in a pupil-centred approach to education ensuring our unique students at Fairfield have their diverse and complex needs met in a supportive, motivating and happy environment. I am proud to be part of a supportive and effective leadership and governance team which continues to support the school in improving from strength to strength.

Stella Murwisi

Teacher Governor

Before joining Fairfield School, I worked as a primary school teacher in a mainstream school in Zimbabwe. I developed good knowledge, practice and working habits from this experience. After moving to the UK in 2000. I worked in different schools before I joined Fairfield School as a supply teacher in 2013. I loved the school and I have never looked back from then on.

I have recently been elected to the Teacher Governor role at Fairfield School in December 2022. I am a PMLD Teacher and I have gained valuable skills, confidence and experience teaching at Fairfield school over the past ten years. I have also been recently successfully appointed the role as Physical Provision Leader in January 2023.

As a teacher, I am particularly keen to ensure that all children reach their full potential whatever their background, special educational needs or disabilities. I also believe that as a teacher it is my duty to empower and enable every child to be the best that they can and be as independent as they can be. I take great pride in leading the MOVE Program in school which focuses on giving pupils with physical learning disabilities movement opportunities via education.

Outside work, I am a wife and a mother of four beautiful children. I am also an auntie to a couple of dozen nephews and nieces.

Donna Johns

Governor (EYFS Pathway Link)

I was appointed as a governor of Fairfield School in early 2017 and currently hold the position as vice chair. I have worked for Lloyds Banking Group for over 15 years and through various roles have experience of financial management, strategy and risk, and people management. I continue to enjoy the challenge of bringing my skills and experiences to a very different kind of environment!

Outside of work I am an active supporter of the charity Memusi Foundation which supports the funding for schools in a very remote region in Kenya. In addition to fundraising I have visited Memusi school twice in the last few years and have been privileged to meet and spend time with the children that attend the school.

I have two children aged nine and six and seem to spend any remaining free time I have ferrying them between various activities.

Mike Neild

Health & Safety and Wellbeing

I first joined the Fairfield School Governing Body in 2002 as a Parent Governor when my son first went into the early years department. He has since left but remain committed as I was on day one to challenge and question the Senior Leadership Team. My background as an Insurance Claims Investigator has been useful to enable me to act as a Critical Friend. I remain an active member of the Resources Committee providing input into both Finance and Health and Safety Issues.

I was involved in the selection process of the last two Headteachers. My priority when making key decisions has always been to ensure that we offer the best environment we can for students to fulfil their potential. I will always encourage any student, parent/carer or staff member to raise any concerns/suggestions with the overall aim to continually strive to produce the most effective learning environment that we can. I was elected Chair of Governors when we moved to the new school site however, I stepped down from the position in 2011 following a period of ill health.

I have recently enrolled onto a NEBOSH (National Examination Board of Occupational Health and Safety) to study towards a Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety and plan to use this knowledge to evaluate and further improve site safety where possible.

Lisa Hall

Support Staff Governor

I have worked at Fairfield School for the past nine years as an Intervenor, supporting a student who is deaf and blind and as an ETA. In September 2017 I was successfully appointed as the role of Multi-Sensory Impairment Champion. I continue to be an active member of the Health and Safety team.

I have previously worked with adults with learning disabilities for the past ten years within Kirklees Day Services and Private Sector and have also worked within a Private Day Nursery.

Kirstie Womack

Parent Governor

I have recently been appointed as Parent Governor. My son joined Fairfield in 2013 when we moved to Yorkshire. I initially worked work as a lunchtime supervisor and now work as part of the administration team.

My previous roles since leaving school have included being a secretary of a private school in Oldham for 16 years. After this, I left to run my own Gentleman's Outfitting Business.

My spare time continues to be taken up by caring for my adult son. I also enjoy gardening, cooking and holidays and weekends in our motorhome.

Leanne Watts

Parent Governor Post 16/Careers Link

I am a full time mum and I also have two part time jobs. In one job I work in accounts and in the other I am a Lunchtime Supervisor at my local school. I have recently become a parent governor here at Fairfield School. My daughter attends Fairfield School and her progress is excellent. I consider myself to be a kind, caring person. I am a good listener and always look for the best in others.

Nisar Bangali

Trust Governor

I am a local lad having lived here in the Batley area for around 50 years.

I am new to Fairfield School as a Governor, however, I have been associated with the school previously on its old site. I have had previous experience as a Governor at my daughter’s school in Dewsbury.

I am a successful businessman running my own family orientated Transport Company and I have specialised in the daily transportation of disabled students for the past 15 years. I also work alongside corporate guests and private clientele.

In my personal life I assist with the Down Syndrome Group and have fundraised for many disabled organisations and sporting events including the local cricket teams.

Community inclusion is a very important part of my life and I will continue to strive to encourage disabled children to have a rich and fulfilled life.

Mandy Farrar

Safeguarding Governor

I have been recently appointed Safeguarding Governor and feel privileged to have been asked to work with the Safeguarding Team at Fairfield School. I am currently Chair of the Standards & Effectiveness Committee

I currently work as the DSL (Designated Senior Leader), and Wellbeing Officer at Diamond Wood Community Academy in Ravensthorpe where my role is to support staff, students and parents with any issues that cause barriers to learning, i.e. child protection issues, behaviour, attendance, social and emotional issues etc.

My working experience has been in child health and I have worked within the Children's Community Nursing Team offering continuing care to children with complex needs. I have also worked at Hollybank school as a Residential Care Officer, but over the last 15 years have worked as a Safeguarding Officer in main stream education. Throughout this time, I have built up links with social care, the police, health and many other agencies that support me in my role today. I believe very much in working alongside families, building up relationships where they feel supported and encouraged to make change where necessary.

Every child has the right to access what they need to have a good life and I hope to put my experience to good use to ensure Fairfield School remains a safe space for the children and young people to learn and develop.

Yasin Lorgat

Governor (Semi- Formal Link)

I live local to Fairfield School and I am delighted and privileged to be a governor here. I have worked with children and families over a number of years within the voluntary sector, youth service, careers service and the education service.

I am currently employed by the education safeguarding service working with schools and out of school settings. I aim to bring some of my knowledge and understanding of the current demands in education to support the staff and students at Fairfield School to ensure the best possible outcomes for all.

I am currently Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee

Kate Bottomley

Governor (Pre-Formal Link)

I am currently employed by Locala as an occupational therapist working closely in the local community in supporting the diverse needs of children with SEND.