Staff

Headteacher 

SENCO and Safeguarding Officer

Mrs H Cuddy

 Hello my name is Hannah Cuddy and I am the headteacher of Kirk Smeaton C of E School. I love my job, the best bit is getting to know the children and parents. I am very blessed to have a wonderful husband and two beautiful children.   In my own time I love to spend time outside, going for walks and afterwards enjoying a cup of coffee along with a treat! I have travelled to many places and lived in Australia where I worked as an apple packer and a home school teacher.   I have handglided and sky dived in Canada and New Zealand aswell as swam with fresh water crocodiles  in Australia.  

Office Staff

School Business Manager

Deputy Safeguarding Officer

Mrs A Marner

My name is Anita Marner and I'm the Business manager at Kirk Smeaton CE Primary School. I love my job and am very lucky to work with such a great team.

I am also fortunate to live in the Village with my lovely family - Husband, Daughter (13 Yrs) and our Chocolate Labrador Cocoa!

During my spare time I love to run and cycle and am a member of a local cycling club. One of my favourite places is the Lake District - we visit as often as we can as a family and love walking the many Mountains and Fells.

I've travelled to many interesting places including Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Singapore, Hawaii, San Francisco and Florida. I loved Australia so much that My Husband and I actually married there on the Gold Coast on Valentines Day!

One of my most exciting  experiences was heli-biking down the Remarkables Mountain range in New Zealand.

 School Administrator 

Mrs Verity Alty

Hello, my name is Mrs Alty and I'm very excited to join this wonderful school in 2024. My career started in Airports & Aviation, where I spent 18 years in various roles. Following a short career break, I was seeking a new challenge and I was so lucky that an opportunity to work here became available. I'm married with 1 little boy Noah, who is football crazy, so we spend most of our weekends and spare time either playing or watching football!

Classroom Staff

Eagles Class Teacher (Years 5 & 6)

Mr T Morgan

Starfish and Starfish Explorers Class Teacher (Nursery and Reception)

SENCO

Miss K Hallwood

My name is Katie Hallwood. I am the Teacher of the reception class. I absolutely love being a teacher, helping children to learn, explore and be creative. I have been teaching since I left university. At university I did a history degree and am still very interested in both modern and ancient history. I am very lucky to have a wonderful boyfriend called Thomas. We have a dog called Humphrey and a cat called Percy. When I am not at school I enjoy taking Humphrey on long walks. 

Dolphins Class Teacher (Years 1 & 2)

Mrs H Jones

I have been a teacher for 28 years and I have taught in various schools both in Yorkshire and Birmingham where I started my career.

I am fortunate to also live in this beautiful village with my family - husband and daughter.

When I am not at work, I enjoy long walks with my family and friends. 

For the last two years, I have been learning BSL ( British Sign Language) and I have recently achieved my Level 2 qualification.

Dolphins Class teacher (Years 1 &2)

Mrs S Peart-Minter 

Hi, my name is Mrs Sarah Peart-Minter and I am the new Y3/4 teacher in Lions class alongside Mrs Jones. I teach on a Wednesday afternoon, Thursday and Friday.

I got married earlier this year after being with my partner for 14 years! I live in Eggborough with my husband, Steven and our children - Benjamin, who is 18 and starting university, and Lucy, who is 11 and just started high school.

In my spare time I love walking my two dogs, Dave and Eric. I also have a Ragdoll cat called Sid, who often follows us on our walks! I love reading and really enjoy reading to children an putting on silly voices!

I have worked in a few schools in the Wakefield area over my 22 years of teaching, but I am really happy to now be here in this lovely and friendly school in the beautiful village of Kirk Seaton.

Lions Class Teacher (Years 3 & 4)

Deputy Safeguarding Officer

Mrs M Holmes

Hi, my name is Michele Holmes and I am the year 5/6 teacher for Lions class.

Previous to working at Kirk Smeaton School, I have taught for many years in various schools, authorities and even abroad in Namibia S.W Africa.

One of my passions is dancing and in the past I have run a dance school part- time and taken part in many performances. I also love athletics and spending time in the countryside walking and cycling.

However, I spend most of my time being a taxi driver - ferrying around my children to different activities and clubs!

I have three children -a girl and two older boys. My husband is a caretaker at the school too.

I am really enjoying teaching at this lovely village school, along with the lovely children and the dedicated and enthusiastic staff team here.

Teaching Assistant 

Miss L Harrison

Hello, my name is Lyndsay Harrison, I joined the staff at Kirk Smeaton C of E School in April 2016 as a teaching assistant working in Lions class alongside Mrs Hursthouse and Mrs Wilkinson.  I also work with other year groups in the school delivering one to one maths interventions. 

I can honestly say this is the most rewarding job I have had, I really do love it, the characteristics of the children are fantastic and it is a pleasure to work along side them, you never know what to expect each day!   

Whilst at Kirk Smeaton, I have gained a Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning.  I live with my partner and our two children, Jake and Lydia. We enjoy going on family walks and are all keen cyclists.  My other interests are reading and baking.

Teaching Assistant

Mrs M Whittles

Hi, my name is Margaret Whittles. I am a Teaching Assistant at Kirk Smeaton C of E Primary School. I transferred here when Womersley school closed some years ago. I feel so lucky and extremely privileged to work at such a great school. The children and staff are second to none!  I love working here. 

My husband and I live in Womersley and have two daughters aged 25 and 28. One wedding planned for this year! Excited!
In my spare time I'm kept busy with voluntary work as a Parish Councillor, Chairman of Womersley PC and Joint Burial Board, I also love my Zumba and Kettle bell classes, cooking and baking (if I get the time). My parents live in Ireland so I try and visit them as often as I can. 

Teaching Assistant

Miss A Greenaway

Teaching Assistant and After School Club Worker

Mrs Fiona Holt

Teaching Assistant and Breakfast club worker

Mrs S Sheen

I love working at Kirk Smeaton, both the staff and children are a pleasure to work with. I find working with the children so satisfying and fun, and not one day is the same. Previously I worked in the NHS but decided to change career and retrained so I could work supporting children in school.

I have three children, two boys and one girl and love spending time with them, we enjoy gardening, visiting national parks and wildlife parks. If I have any spare time I love relaxing with a good book

Teaching Assistant, Pastoral Worker and Deputy Safeguarding Officer

Mrs L Lister

Hello, my name is Louise Lister, my time at Kirk Smeaton C of E Primary school began in March 2022 working in the Starfish class alongside Miss Ghent. I also deliver interventions on a 1:1 basis and in small groups, when pupils need a little extra support. I really enjoy working and supporting all the children and it is a pleasure to work with such a lovely staff team.  

My career working with children, began when I was 17 years old. I completed an apprenticeship while working in a private nursery and I have continued to develop my childcare qualifications ever since.

I am very lucky to have a loving husband and 3 beautiful children. In my spare time, I spend it with my family and I really enjoy playing the penny whistle.

Teaching Assistant

Miss C Whittles 

Hi, my name is Cassie Whittles and I’m the Play Worker for the after school club. I started working with children when I was just 17 as an apprenticeship in a private day nursery, from then I’ve always enjoyed working children as no day is ever the same, I love to see the children grow into their own little personalities! And I’m excited to start my new journey working in such a lovely School. I spend most of my spare time with my little family at home… We have a little boy called Ethan and he is full of energy so keeps us very very busy with our little dog Lola

Caretaking Team

Caretaker

Mr D Holmes

Hi, my name is Darren Holmes and I am the Caretaker for Kirk Smeaton School.

I have three children -a girl and two older boys. My wife is a teacher also at Kirk Smeaton School.

I enjoy playing football once a week and having been born and bred in Leeds, I am a life- long supporter of Leeds Utd! I enjoy watching films, when I have the time and get access to the remote control! I also like camping, cycling and hill walking.

Kitchen Team

School Cook

Mrs K Helstrip

Hello my name is Mrs Helstrip and I am the kitchen assistant. I have a busy life with two small children. My interests and hobbies are cycling, music, cinema and days out!