Gary recently retired from education as a Teacher of English at Castleford Academy, a position he held for twenty years, with a specialism in Literacy, both in the classroom and across the whole school. He also had experience of working in a Primary setting and brought expertise in the Key Stage 2 curriculum and how this translated into the Secondary setting. Gary is also a Senior Marker for the Key Stage 2 SATS, specializing in Spelling, punctuation and grammar and has held this position for 10 years.

Prior to entering education, Gary worked as an Area Manager for a dry-cleaning company and was heavily involved in staff training – both at Customer Service level and dry-cleaning operator level. He was also responsible for budgets for the branches that he covered and has financial experience in profit and loss accounting, wages and budgets. Gary has a wealth of experience of interview techniques and staff welfare. He was responsible for attendance, Health and Safety and staff well-being.  Gary also brings experience of working with and liaising with suppliers and contractors to ensure that deadlines were met on new openings and that these all came in at or under budget.

Gary is Castleford born and educated and is passionate about making a real difference to future generations within Castleford and its surrounding areas. He served as Staff Governor at Castleford Academy for eighteen years and was keen to carry on his governor duties once retired, being elected as a community governor and Chair of Governors.

Kathryn has been a governor of Castleford Academy (formerly Castleford High School) for nearly 30 years, and has also been a governor at Park Junior School, now Park Junior Academy. Kathryn’s extensive experience as a governor, together with her established career working for the council, render’s Kathryn’s expertise invaluable to the Castleford Academy governing body, with substantial, effective challenge and direction.

As a proud parent of one daughter and two sons, all of whom have attended both Park Junior and Castleford Academy, Kathryn has a vested interest in the education, development and betterment of pupils in the Castleford area. All of Kathryn’s children proceeded to attend college, with two furthering their education at University.

Kathryn works extensively within the local community and is part of the Airedale Baby and Children’s Bank, and the Airedale Food Bank, supporting families in the local community who are in dire need of food and baby goods.  Kathryn is a well-respected and valued member of the local community who works tirelessly to support the district.

Audrey was born and brought up in Castleford, she is married and has 2 children.

The first part in Audrey’s working life was in the finance department at a car showroom. When the children came along Audrey started her career in education where she was employed at a local primary school. Audrey continued to work at the primary school for 29 years until retirement at the beginning of 2022. Audrey is committed to ensuring the children of Castleford receive a first class education in order to reach their full potential.

I have worked at Castleford Academy for the past 24 years in my capacity as Premises Manager.  I have served on the governing body for more than 10 years as support staff governor and am also a member of various sub committees. Both my son and daughter have passed through Castleford Academy, local college and university and gone on to successful careers.

A teacher of Modern Foreign Languages at Castleford Academy since September 2008, Gemma brings a plethora of expertise and teaching experience to the Castleford Academy governing board. Gemma has previously led the Prefect team in their duties and responsibilities and more recently, has assumed the role of Assistant Year Leader, which constitutes working pastorally with both staff and pupils at the Academy. Gemma’s experience in both her teaching position and leadership role has afforded her a holistic view of the school, allowing Gemma to scrutinise the teaching and pastoral elements of education and import this immediate knowledge into the operations of the Castleford Academy governing board.

Gemma is committed to ensuring that all children receive first-rate education and have high aspirations for their future. Gemma considers it a privilege to work in such a skilled and passionate team that supports her view of education and endeavours to continue the excellent work being fulfilled at the Academy.

Peter was elected to Castleford Academy governing board in 2020, having previously gained experience serving as a governor on three other local governing boards, including two within the Castleford Trust (Park Junior and Glasshoughton Infants).

After completing his PGCE at the University of Leeds in 2003, Peter went on to teach at several local schools and is a former Assistant Headteacher.

In 2013, Peter joined Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) where he continues to work as an integral member of their Business Planning and Contracts Team.  Peter is also a trained internal reviewer for the internationally recognised Investors in People (IiP) standard.

Peter is passionate about ensuring that local young people have access to the necessary resources and opportunities to help them pursue their interests and fulfil their potential.  He has lived in the local area for over forty years and has multiple family ties to Castleford Academy. Peter enjoys watching most team sports, particularly football and rugby union and he is a lifelong supporter of Nottingham Forest, but of course he is also keen to see Castleford Tigers doing well.  He loves to visit the major cities of the world, as well as being a DIY, video game and movie enthusiast.

Sarah is a parent in the Castleford community and has lived in Castleford for over 22 years. Sarah believes that it is vital to build relationships between the academy, parents/carers, pupils, the local community as well as the local authority and employers. Sarah has worked in the public sector (Ambulance Service – NHS) for 21 years and openly challenges any decision made to understand how effective it can be to the organisation. Sarah is passionate about every aspect of what she does in her private and public life and strive to be open, honest and remain objective to ensure the best for everyone involved.

Sarah has a very busy work life so during her home life she like to spend quality time with her son and family.

Louise studied History at Manchester University and trained as a teacher. After a few years of teaching, a chance encounter prompted her to retrain as a careers adviser and she has worked in careers support and education ever since.

Louise’s experience includes intensive support to NEET young people and supporting young people at risk of NEET to continue in education and employment, safeguarding, multi-agency working including with statutory agencies and local government officials, community outreach and sexual health education and services, Careers Leader and careers adviser in a secondary school in Leeds. She currently works as an Enterprise Coordinator at West Yorkshire Combined Authority where she supports schools, colleges and employers to collaborate to ensure that young people are well prepared for the career opportunities in West Yorkshire and have the skills to confidently navigate a changing employment landscape.

Away from work Louise enjoys sailing, hiking, reading and podcasts around politics, history and learning French, and travelling.

Morenike moved up to West Yorkshire after graduating from Brighton and Sussex Medical School in 2010 with a medical degree, where she worked in the NHS in several hospitals for close to a decade before pivoting into other roles such as clinical research and medicolegal work. Morenike has developed and continued to refine her leadership skills in the course of her career and in her spare time, she volunteers within her community and church. 

In Morenike’s everyday life she is surrounded by many bright and wonderful children both within her family and in her community, and just like her spark and dreams were nurtured in school, she is keen to see that the pupils of Castleford Academy are nurtured within an environment that is the best that it can be. Morenike strongly believes that a solid education is a necessary foundation to a great future and is committed to contributing her time and skills as a governor to ensure that the pupils of Castleford Academy are afforded the best. 

Jo has proudly worked at Castleford Academy for nearly 20 years, reaching this milestone in October 2025. Over the years she has held a variety of roles from across the school, including cleaning, administration and first aid. The majority of her time has been spent as a Learning Support Assistant, supporting pupils with a range of needs, including those with disabilities. In 2020, Jo transitioned into her current role as behaviour mentor within internal exclusion, now in her 6th year.

Outside of work, Jo enjoys reading, jogging, swimming and early morning walks. She is a proud Mum of twin boys, both who attended Castleford Academy. Her daughter went on to study at Loughborough College and later at Leeds University. Jo’s son attended New College, completed an apprentice and is now in full time employment.

Jo is passionate about helping pupils achieve their full potential. She believes with all have strengths and weaknesses and with the right support, every pupil can achieve success.

Jo was born and raised in Castleford where she has seen both the town and Castleford Academy (former pupil) go through many changes and challenges and she is committed to being a part of its continued growth and success.

Testimonial coming soon.

Abigail has worked in education for over 20 years and is currently the Deputy Headteacher at Castleford Academy. She is passionate about the use of education to empower young people to become independent adults, through the ability to make informed decisions and become financially stable. Abigail became a governor in 2026 to support the school in its journey to achieving excellence for all.