Governor Information
Governors Attendance 2021 - 2022
Governor Roles and Terms 2022 - 2023
Governor Visits to School Policy 2022 - 2025
Governor Role Descriptions 2022-2023
Governor Disciplinary Policy 2022-2026
Governor Code of Conduct 2020-23
Meet the Governors
Kate Steele
I am excited to be joining the Governor team at our wonderful school. Both my children are currently attending the school, and it really is like having a second family. The community spirit as well as the staff’s enthusiasm and passion for the school is infectious.
I’m looking forward to assisting the team at Burton Leonard Primary school to continue delivering a high-level standard of education, and ensuring that our children enjoy a wide range of fun activities along the way.
I have been working in finance for over 10 years, and I hope that I can bring new insights and ideas to help the school achieve all its targets.
Katherine Seymour
I moved to the village in 2020 with my husband Matt, daughter Isla, son Thomas and youngest son Jack. My professional background is in the field of Human Resources where I have worked for the past 15 years. I am currently HR Director for a large consumer goods company. My educational background is in psychology where I specialised in child development and I have always taken an active interest in how children learn and grow. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family exploring our local surroundings and travelling.
I feel very lucky to live in such a wonderful village and for my children to go to the local school where they are thriving. I am hugely passionate about seeing our amazing school continue to go from strength to strength and feel privileged to work as one of the governors.
Lesley Slater
I have lived in Burton Leonard for 40 years and am involved in many village activities – Library Grannie, PCC member, ex Church Warden, President of the WI and I love coming into school.
My four children all attended Burton Leonard School and I now have eight grandchildren.
I qualified as a primary school teacher (many years ago now!) and worked in special needs education for 14 years.
I like to keep active and my hobbies include keep fit, zumba, gardening and many activities with the grandchildren.
I am a Foundation Governor and I am proud of our links with the church in our community.
Lucy Mullender
My da
ughter is in Burton Leonard and loves school! I can’t think of a better place for her to be: she is cared for yet is academically challenged. She is flourishing!
I have been a teacher for nearly 20 years; focusing for the last 15 in special educational needs. I currently hold the position of Director of Learning Support at Ashville College; responsible for the management of pupils with additional needs from 3-18 years old. A busy department, we currently work with about a quarter of the school.
As a dyslexia specialist, I am an ambassador for young people who may not yet have found their voice. I support teachers and school staff through training and equip pupils with strategies they can employ at school and later on in life.
Dyslexia and other special educational needs should not be seen as a learning difficulty but more a learning difference and in the various educational establishments I have worked for, I have strived for this way of thinking to be accepted .
One of the greatest privileges of my role is seeing young people develop as well as grow in confidence and self-awareness. I think I will always feel humbled by their strength and achievements.
I am really excited about becoming a school governor at Burton Leonard. To be able to work alongside an outstanding team with a shared passion for education within my local community feels like a real honour.
Matthew Charlesworth
He has worked in financial services for most of his career and moved to North Yorkshire 7 years ago. He became a Governor in 2018 and is committed to supporting the School in becoming the best it can be.
Paul Robinson
I have lived in Burton Leonard since 2014 and my two children attend the school.
I am extremely proud of our school and the central role it plays in our local community. I joined the Governing Body in March 2018 and have served as Chair since September 2020. I am keen for the Governing Body to take an active role in supporting the continued progression of the school, ensuring the school continues to provide the best environment for pupils to become confident, well rounded individuals.
I have a background in accountancy and finance, mainly within the Banking sector, where I have worked for over 14 years.
Zita Branton
Hi, I’m Zita, married to Jonathan and Mum to Geordan, Daragh and Lorcan. After numerous house and country moves we settled in Yorkshire in 2013. Our experience of this school and community was so positive we didn’t move again. I also stayed on as Governor even after my children moved to secondary school. I started my career as a teacher before moving into the corporate world of purchasing and consultancy. As my children grew up I took on PTA roles in their schools and have had long-term involvement in two children’s charities, Make-A-Wish and Young Minds. In recent years I have become a Magistrate in the Family Courts and work on private and public law cases across North Yorkshire. The happiness and wellbeing of children has always been important to me. I became a Governor at this school in 2015 and now Chair the School Improvement Committee. As a committee we look at all aspects of what the school offers and could offer pupils. We strive to build on our “Outstanding” status whilst keeping the wellbeing of pupils and staff our top priority.