Mrs Ross
I was appointed as the Headteacher of Hampsthwaite School in September 2019 and have never looked back. In my 4 years as a Headteacher, I have certainly been thrown in at the deep end thanks to COVID, but due to our wonderful school community, I feel the luckiest Headteacher alive. I have two children and in my spare time I love watching my son play football (and my husband managing the team) and watching my daughter perform as part of her dance class. I am also an avid runner (although now more of a plodder) and enjoy long walks and the great outdoors with my family. 

Mrs Coghlan

I have worked at Hampsthwaite School for 19 years in the EYFS and KS1 classes. I have enjoyed leading a variety of subjects over the years including P.E. and PSHE. I am now English leader and EYFS leader, both of which I am particularly interested in. I am also part of the Senior Leadership Team, a role which I really enjoy.

Having grown up in a village close to Hampsthwaite, I am very passionate about small village schools and enjoy being part of the village community. I have seen the school change whilst working under the last 2 headteachers and am looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges in the future.

I live in Knaresborough with my husband and two children, who all enjoy walking and going out for Sunday lunch.

Sophie Fisher (s.fisher@hampsthwaite.ycway.uk)

I live in Hampsthwaite with my husband and two boys. My eldest son is currently in Year One. His positive experiences and love of school life made me incredibly supportive of the ethos that has been created at Hampsthwaite Primary School. As a family, we feel very lucky to live here and have this school at the heart of our community!   

I am a Primary School teacher in Ilkley and for the last ten years have taught Early Years and KS1. Since becoming a Mum, I have worked part time. I would like to use my experience and bring my passion of education to the school in the hope to support the staff, pupils and families.   

It is always such a pleasure to visit and work with the staff and children of Hampsthwaite School. I feel very privileged to be able to be involved as a parent governor. 

Chulanga Jayawardana (C.Jayawardana@hampsthwaite.ycway.uk)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chulanga-jayawardana-6138953/ 

I live in Hampsthwaite with my wife Rebecca and two children who both attend the school. We moved up to Yorkshire over 6 years ago to be closer to family and feel very lucky to call this beautiful part of the country home. I care deeply about my children’s education and contributing to society, and therefore I am extremely delighted to be appointed on to the board of governors.

I have over 22 years of experience working in the accounting profession with a background in financial due diligence, auditing, financial reporting, and corporate governance. I will use my skillset and experience to support the leadership team to help drive the strategic direction of the school, and help it continue to meet its high standards and the quality of education it offers the children in this community.

Rebecca Gale (r.gale@hampsthwaite.ycway.uk)

I live in Bishop Thornton with my husband and two children (both at Hampsthwaite), having made the move from London to be nearer family. We struck gold when Mrs Ross said she had space for our son back in 2020: we couldn't believe the warmth, dedication and quality of the learning environment. I am delighted to be part of the Governing Board to support the leadership team to continue to take the school from strength to strength. I am currently the Assistant Director of Primary Care at NHS Confederation, a national organisation for NHS leaders, advocating for our members and influencing national policy makers on their behalf. The majority of my career has been spent in health and care regulation, and I hope to translate some of that expertise to an educational setting.

Suzy McCarter (s.mccarter@hampsthwaite.ycst.co.uk)

I am the incumbent of the Benefice of Hampsthwaite with Felliscliffe, Killinghall and Birstwith.

I qualified as a teacher after university and have worked in both secondary schools as RE and English teacher and subsequently in Primary Schools as a Key Stage 2 teacher and RE and IT lead. I was ordained in 2007, served my curacy in Blackburn Diocese, in 2010, moved to Bradford Diocese which then became the Diocese of Leeds. I started work in this Benefice in 2021.  I serve as Foundation Governor for the three Primary schools in the Benefice and hope to support the schools’ Christian ethos and the children’s education in any way that I can.

Dr Nuno Arroteia (n.arroteia@hampsthwaite.ycst.co.uk)

I have extensive industry experience in operations management and business development at multinational companies such as Arthur Andersen, Deloitte, UEFA, and Carglass. I am a serial Angel investor with a portfolio across a diverse range of sectors (ICT, creative industries, life sciences, industrial production). I have been involved in teaching international business, entrepreneurship, and management accounting for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. 

My teaching experience in the UK began at Abertay University (2016-2018) as Lecturer, subsequently joining Coventry University (2018/2019) as Lecturer and Associate Course Director in Business Administration. At De Monfort University (2019-2023) I was a Senior Lecturer in Professional Development and Strategy, Leader of the Senior Leader Degree Apprenticeship and Deputy Programme Leader of the Senior Leader Master's Degree Apprenticeship (MBA). I joined Bradford School of Management in March 2023 as an Assistant Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, an area I am passionate about as a teacher and researcher, but also as a mentor for entrepreneurs and advisor/investor in start-ups.

My involvement as Parent Governor at Hampsthwaite CoE Primary School follows my passion for education as a means for the transformational development of people. I am also the father of two lovely girls currently attending the school. 

Jenn Bowles (j.bowles@hampsthwaite.ycst.co.uk)

I live in Hampsthwaite with my husband and our son Samuel who attends Hampsthwaite School. My boys keep me regularly educated in all things Star Wars and Lego!

I am incredibly proud to be a part of our school (including PTA) and community and am entirely invested in ensuring all can enjoy, achieve and flourish.

Although I do not currently have a teaching role, I completed my PGCE in 2013 after a period of volunteering abroad in school settings.

I have a history in psychiatric hospital management so have experience in communication, organisation and management of people and resources. I hope to bring some of these skills to my role as Governor.

When not working or at school, we enjoy appreciating our exquisite Yorkshire countryside walking, cycling or travelling in our Campervan.