Meet the Team

Brenda Davies – Headteacher

Mrs Davies has been Headteacher at Barwell CE Junior School since August 2001. Before coming to this school Mrs Davies was Acting Headteacher two County Primary schools - Mowsley St Nicholas CofE Primary School near Market Harborough and Newlands Primary School here in Barwell.

Mrs Davies is married with two grown up sons. She also has a cat called Fox, and a collection of penguins!

When Mrs Davies has some spare time she likes to go on holiday (she loves the USA, or anywhere hot), her hobbies include reading, meeting friends, going to the cinema and ‘playing’ on the computer – especially making DVDs from videos and digital photographs, and developing web-sites (for family and school)! She also enjoys doing mind teasing puzzles, crosswords and playing computer games.

Mrs Davies enjoys singing, both in school and out of school in regular church worship and in the Christian Praise choir.

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Jo Adcock - Learning Support Assistant and Lunchtime Supervisor + FoBS Leader

Mrs Adcock began working with us in August 2005, however her links with our school as a parent go back many years.

Mrs Adcock supports children in the classrooms and has put her craft skills to very good use already, supporting topics with groups in our Creative Curriculum afternoons.

Mrs Adcock has also supported our drama productions, providing many fantastic props and costumes from her own secret store!

Mrs Adcock is also a dedicated member of our FoBS Team and serves on the planning committee.

Mrs Adcock shares the responsibility for leading the team of Lunchtime Supervisors with Mrs parker. Together, they work hard to make sure that our lunchtimes run smoothly.

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Sue Allcock - Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Allcock is a Learning Support Assistant and has been at the school for many years. She finds the role a versatile and interesting one. She enjoys all aspects of school life and especially likes the chance to join in with art and craft activities. She is a whizz at making costumes and props for our school plays.

Mrs Allcock is married with two daughters, who keep her very busy with Ballet, Netball and Football. She has taken up running to keep fit and to raise money for charity. She has completed a number of 5 and 10 km races and regularly runs in the Race for Life.

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June Bevins - Lunchtime Supervisor

Mrs Bevins has worked at our school for over 25 years, supervising children during their lunchtime in the hall and on the playground.

During her spare time Mrs Bevins likes to grow organic vegetables on her allotment.

For the last 30 years Mrs Bevins has been a member of Girl Guiding UK. She is a District Commissioner and runs a Rainbows unit in Earl Shilton for girls aged 5 - 7 years. Every year Mrs Bevins especially enjoys Brownie Camp where she helps with First Aid.

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Jane Crowson - Cleaning Staff

Mrs Crowson has been a member of the cleaning staff team at our school for many years. She works in the school every evening, arriving just as the children leave, and leaving after most of the other staff have gone!

Mrs Crowson enjoys seeing the classrooms looking clean and tidy, all ready for the teachers and the children to arrive the next day.

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Marion Crump - Midday Supervisor

Mrs Crump works lunchtimes each week, supporting and helping children during their play, and in the dining hall.

Mrs Crump joined our staff during Autumn Term 2007. She enjoys seeing the children having fun and behaving well, and she supports them in this by actively involving herself in the organisation of games and through being a good listener to children when they want to chat.

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Jenny Derrick - Class Teacher

Miss Derrick joined our staff at the beginning of Autumn Term 2007. Previously Miss Derrick was a teacher at Townlands CE Primary School in Earl Shilton.

Miss Derrick teachers in Year 3 and is also responsible for the leadership of ICT and RE throughout the school. She works in close partnership with Mrs Russell on the technical aspects of her ICT role.

Miss Derrick is also a skilled musician, and plays the piano really well. She supports Mrs Stewart in developing singing in school and leads the school choir.

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Sue Foulkes - Leadership Team - Maths

Mrs Foulkes has worked at our school for many years and is presently fulfilling roles of Maths Leader and Educational Visits Coordinator. She supports PE in the school in a voluntary capacity.

Away from school Mrs Foulkes' main hobbies are based around football; supporting Leicester City and acting as Club Secretary for Leicester City Ladies Football Club.

Mrs Foulkes is a qualified FA coach and referee.

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Linda Ensor - Cleaning Staff

Mrs Ensor joined our staff in 2007. Mrs Ensor works every afternoon after most of the children have gone home. She is part of a team of four cleaning staff, led by Mr Young, our Premises Officer.

Mrs Ensor takes great pride in her work and loves to see the areas for which she is responsible looking spick and span. She can even manage to keep Mrs Davies' desk tidy - a minor miracle!

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Sandra Hackett - Cleaning Staff

Mrs Hackett joined our staff in September 2005. Together with the rest of the Premises Team Mrs Hackett works hard every afternoon after the children have finished lessons to make sure that the school remains a clean, tidy and safe environment for pupils and staff to work in.

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Mrs Hammond - School Crossing Patrol

Mrs Hammond helps us every morning and afternoon by seeing the children and their carers safely across the High Street at the school gates. Mrs Hammond is out on the crossing in all weathers because she cares about our safety.

Mrs Hammond loves careful and polite drivers - give her a wave and a smile next time you see her!

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Alison Harris - Administrative Assistant

Mrs Harris joined our school in October 2008. Working every morning in the main office, Mrs Harris has to be very good at Maths as one of her main jobs is to sort out the various monies that come into school on many days, particularly dinner money.

Mrs Harris is also very good at doing lots of jobs at the same time, which is a good thing as the office is always very busy.

In her spare time Mrs Harris likes to keep fit - so much so that, with her husband she runs a Keep Fit Club for children at a school local to her home.

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Katie Harris - Class Teacher

Miss Harris joined our teaching staff in October 2007 to take Mrs Sargeant's place. Miss Harris leads class 4H and is a very welcome recent addition to our teaching team.

Miss Harris' special responsibility in school is for Modern Foreign Languages. She speaks French fluently and is leading our drive to achieve the International Schools Award for our work in languages and cultural awareness.

Miss Harris has many interests and hobbies. She is keen on sport and enjoys PE lessons with her class. She also enjoys shopping - especially for new clothes! Miss Harris loves travelling, especially to sunny places.

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Rachel Harris - Lunchtime Supervisor + Volunteer Learning Support Assistant

Miss Harris works part time as a Lunchtime Supervisor three days each week. We are also very grateful to Miss Harris for volunteering to come into school to help in the classrooms on a regular basis.

Miss Harris has a good sense of humour and is a kind and sociable addition to our staff. She loves to see the children playing together and enjoying their lunchtimes. Miss Harris helps them to do this by getting involved in their games and making their playtimes fun.

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Sharon Harris - Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Harris is married, has three children and lives in Barwell. To work with children has always been Mrs Harris' ambition. She has worked at our school since January 2000, both as a Learning Support Assistant and a Lunchtime Supervisor.

Mrs Harris has a ginger and white cat called Tiggi.

Mrs Harris' favourite hobbies are reading and swimming.

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Maria Harrison - Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Harrison joined our staff in August 2008. She is loving her job as a Learning Support Assistant, working in the Upper Junior Department.

Mrs Harrison has thoroughly enjoyed helping with the props and costumes for the Year 5 production. She is looking forward to starting a Cookery Club as an after school activity with children in Year 4. The recipes look yummy!

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Lisa Haughey - Class Teacher

Miss Haughey joined us in August 2005 and teaches a Year 6 class.

Miss Haughey settled in really quickly, sharing her particular skills with the team. She particularly enjoys drama and is also very good at ICT and Science, which is her area of special responsibility throughout the school. Miss Haughey also enjoys helping to lead residential visits for children in Year 4 and Year 6.

Miss Haughey and Mrs Foulkes lead after school Football and Netball Clubs for pupils in Year 5 and Year 6.

Miss Haughey is a fan of Coventry City FC and she definitely doesn't like listening to Cliff Richard!

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Nick Holt - Assistant Headteacher

Mr Holt joined our staff in August 2007, having previously taught at St Peter's CE Primary School in Market Bosworth. Mr Holt is a family man, married with two lovely little children.

Mr Holt teachers a Year 6 class and has responsibility for the development of English, Art and Design Technology throughout the school.

Mr Holt also enjoys music and drama. He plays the guitar, leads the X-Factor and School Magazine Club, and has a complete collection of football cards! He loves watching football, but particularly Manchester United of whom he is a big fan.

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Jenny Houghton - Unit Manager Catering

Mrs Houghton has been our Cook Supervisor for many years. The staff and children who have hot dinners are always pleased with the quality and variety of meals that she prepares for us.

Mrs Houghton actually works for a firm called Initial Caterers who are responsible for the school meals service in our school. Mrs Houghton leads a team of three ladies who work all morning to make sure that there is a plentiful selection of hot food and salads for our school and two other local Primary Schools every day.

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Mandy Hughes - Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Hughes lives locally in Barwell. She is married and has two grown up children, a grandson and three dogs.

Mrs Hughes has been associated with the school for a long time as her children attended here many years ago and her husband was recently employed as an LSA.

Mrs Hughes has worked at the school 'officially' since August 2004. Her role involves her in supporting children's learning, mainly in Year 5 and Year 6.

Mrs Hughes is also a trained football coach and enjoys helping in after school sport activities.

Mrs Hughes is an accomplished decorator of cakes - her designs call for great skill, care and patience - almost too good to eat!

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Amelia Kirkham - Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Miss Kirkham has worked at the school since 2002 and was promoted to the post of Higher Level Teaching Assistant in August 2007 after studying and working hard to complete her training.

Miss Kirkham's interests are music and socialising and she loves fairies and angels. She is exceptionally good at Art and Design and is skilled at ICT. Miss Kirkham works closely with our Art and Design Leader to organise Display throughout the school.

Miss Kirkham also runs after school clubs in Art and Dance Aerobics. Miss Kirkham and Mrs Larsen run Breakfast Club together every morning.

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Ann Larsen - Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Larsen is a Learning Support Assistant who works mainly in Year 5 and Year 6. She has worked at our school for many years and enjoys all aspects of school life.

Mrs Larsen is a staff governor and works alongside Miss Newman, taking an active part in the school council. She also runs an after school computer club with Mrs Russell. Mrs Larsen is a qualified first aider and has for may years accompanied children and staff from Year 4 and Year 6 on residential visits.

Outside of school Mrs Larsen's hobbies include 'do-it-yourself' and traveling. She also loves animals, especially her cats Muffin and Sooty.

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Heather Markley - Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Markley has worked at the school since 1995. Her roles include Learning Support Assistant, Lunchtime Supervisor and First Aider.

Mrs Markley is married with two children. She is a member of the St John's Ambulance Brigade and is welfare officer for Barwell Athletic Football Club and Barwell Athletic Sports and Leisure.

In her spare time Mrs Markley enjoys aerobics and going to the gym.

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Kate Marston - Leadership Team - Bursar and Premises Manager

Mrs Marston has been Bursar at the school since 1992. Her role is a very varied, busy and demanding one. Mrs Marston works closely with Mrs Davies, Mr Young and the Governing Body to ensure the smooth management of all matters relating to school finance, personnel and premises.

Mrs Marston is married with two grown up sons. In her spare time she enjoys family life, taking delight especially in her three grandchildren.

Mr and Mrs Marston also enjoys walking with their springer spaniels in the countryside. Her other interests include reading, keeping fit, gardening, decorating and D.I.Y.

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Vicky Newman - Assistant Headteacher

Miss Newman started teaching at our school in August 2002.   She thoroughly enjoys teaching and seeing her pupils develop. She has really enjoyed using the developing ICT resources in school, and has developed excellent skills in developing drama and dance.

Miss Newman has changed teaching duties over time, working in Lower and Upper Juniors. Miss Newman was promoted to the role of Assistant Headteacher in August 2007.

Miss Newman enjoys the challenge of her role as Inclusion Leader. She is also responsible for the development of PSHE, including heading up the School Council.

In her spare time Miss Newman loves anything to do with horses. Riding them, reading about them, painting/drawing them and making them out of clay. She is also very good at computer games!

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Lita Parker - Learning Support Assistant and Lunchtime Supervisor

Mrs Parker has worked with us since 2004. On most days Mrs Parker can be seen doing a fantastic job at lunchtimes on the playground or in the dining hall.

Mrs Parker also helps pupils with their learning in the classroom. Pupils and teachers in Year 6 are especially thankful for her support.

Mrs Parker is also one of our Lunchtime Managers, working with Mrs Adcock to organise the team.

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Lorraine Payne - Learning Support Assistant and Admin Assistant

Mrs Payne enjoys supporting children in and out of the classroom through all areas of the school curriculum, Although Mrs Payne is very versatile and has experience of everything from residential visit to counting the dinner money, it is in working directly to support children that her heart lies. Mrs payne currently supports children in Year 6, where her skills are greatly appreciated.

Mrs Payne is married with two sons. As a family The Paynes enjoy cycling and swimming. Their special interest is in exploring France and seeing as much as possible of the various beautiful regions.

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Rachael Peace - Higher Level Teaching Assistant

Miss Peace has worked as a member of our support staff for almost eight years. She enjoys working with children of all ages in all curriculum subjects, and as an HLTA she now leads learning, covering for short term teacher absences as well as supporting teachers in the classroom. She is also a brilliant organiser, and helps to make sure that support staff are all in the right place at the right time.

Miss Peace's hobbies include reading, cooking and gardening. She is very good at cross-stitch and makes lots of cross-stitched cards and gifts. Miss Peace has even cross-stitched our school badge.

Miss Peace has become proficient in theatre lighting and often operates the follow-spot in our termly productions.

Miss Peace is a brilliant cook and we are really pleased that she finds time to prepare lunch for the staff one one day each week.

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Amanda Read - Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Read is a qualified Nursery Nurse (NNEB). She has worked in two special schools and was involved with The Cedars Playgroup for four years before joining our school staff in 2001.

As a Learning Support Assistant Mrs Read has worked with in all year groups to help children in their lessons and helping teachers with their administration. Mrs Read currently working in Year 5.

Mrs Read is also responsible for organising the recycling efforts of our school. Not only has she planted trees with the children in our nursery, she has also saved probably hundreds of trees in our paper and card recycling scheme.

Mrs Read's main hobby of over 30 years is horse riding.

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Mrs Helen Russell - ICT Technician + Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Russell joined the staff of Barwell CE Junior School in September 2004 as Learning Support Assistant with specific responsibility to support teaching and learning related to ICT. Mrs Russell therefore can be found mainly supporting pupils in the ICT suite, or helping with the upkeep and development of ICT equipment - a very technical job!

Before Mrs Russell joined our staff she worked in industry where she gained substantial skills in ICT. She works closely with Mrs Larsen to organise ICT after school club for lots of interested children, and with Miss Derrick to ensure that technical aspects of ICT are well organised.

Mrs Russell also has experience of leading learning with children in an early years setting.

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Cheryl Sargeant - Class Teacher

Mrs Sargeant joined us in August 2005 (as Miss Hibbert) to teach a Year 3 class. Mrs Sargeant taught at Ellistown Primary School before coming to Barwell.

Mrs Sargeant celebrated her wedding in Summer 2006.

Mrs Sargeant likes teaching all subjects, especially PE and ICT. As well as teaching her class, Mrs Sargeant leads whole school development in History.

Mrs Sargeant taught a Year 4 class until October 2007. Mrs Sargeant gave birth to her little boy in November 2007, and now shares a Year 5 class with Mrs Stewart, working 2.5 days each week.

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Lisa Stewart - Class Teacher

Mrs Stewart has been teaching at our school since 2002, having previously taught for nine years at a school near Loughborough.

Mrs Stewart had her first baby in 2006 and returned part time to teach a Year 5 class in Autumn 2007. Mrs Stewart shares this role with Mrs Sargeant.

Mrs Stewart leads music in school, and is an accomplished musician. She plays piano, however the flute is her favourite instrument.

Mrs Stewart has her hands full with a small child and her teaching job, but when she gets the chance she does enjoy a spot of shopping or eating out at a nice restaurant. 

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Sharon Swan - Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Swan is a new recruit to our Learning Support Staff team, joining us in August 2008. She has quickly settled into our routines and offers invaluable help to children and their teachers in Year 4.

Mrs Swan works part time, three days each week. She enjoys a busy and happy family life.

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Gwynneth Taylor - Cleaning Staff

Mrs Taylor has been working as part of the Premises cleaning team since 2003. She works a late afternoon shift each day, arriving in school just as the children are leaving, and working through when most other staff have gone home.

Mrs Taylor takes great pride in her work. She finds it very satisfying to see the classrooms spick and span after she has finished cleaning. Her duties are mostly confined to the rooms in the new extension where children in Years 5 and 6 are taught.

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Tina Tosh - Learning Support Assistant

We were pleased to welcome Mrs Tosh onto our team in August 2008 when she came to join us from working in another local school.

Mrs Tosh has slotted into the routines in Year 3 really well, and is thoroughly enjoying the challenges and rewards of working with our youngest children each morning, helping them to do their best, and supporting the teachers with their administration.

Mrs Tosh is a busy lady with a growing family to look after when she is not at school.

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Sharon Wale - Lunchtime Supervisor

Mrs Wale is a part time member of our Lunchtime Supervisor Team, working two days each week to help children enjoy their lunchtimes.

Mrs Wale loves supporting children in school. She particularly likes to see children playing happily together and often helps this to happen by taking an active part in organising games with them.

Mrs Wale is a busy Mum - with three growing lads to look after she never has a dull moment!

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Lynne Walker - Learning Support Assistant and Lunchtime Supervisor

Mrs Walker joined us in August 2008 to help support the needs of children moving into Year 3 from Barwell Infant School.

Mrs Walker helps the children to be organised and to play together well each lunchtime. She then works in Year 3 classes each afternoon to support children's learning.

Mrs Walker has settled into our school really well. She is a very flexible member of staff and has helped us out in the office and in other year groups when we have been short staffed this year.

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Donna Warren - Class Teacher

Mrs Warren joined our staff team in August 2008 to share the teaching of a Year 4 class with Mrs Williamson. Mrs Warren teacheds two days each week, on a Thursday and a Friday.

Mrs Warren enjoyed helping the children with their Christmas Carol Service and Nativity which was held in St Mary's Church.

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Louise Wheeler - Lunchtime Supervisor

Mrs Wheeler has worked at our school for many years. She has two children - a son of 30 years and a daughter aged 20. Pets in the family include a guinea pig and a chinchilla rabbit.

Mrs Wheeler's hobbies include reading, baking fruity cakes and collecting and growing Japanese maples. When time permits Mrs Wheeler thoroughly enjoys sitting and working in her garden and enjoying the richness and abundance of the natural world.

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Diane Wightman - Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Wightman joined our staff in August 2007 having gained experience in this role in a voluntary capacity in schools in her local area.

Mrs Wightman usually works with children in Year 4 and is thoroughly enjoying her support role. She enjoys seeing children making good progress, trying hard and enjoying their learning.

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Alison Wilkinson - Sports Teacher

Mrs Wilkinson has taught in school as a supply teacher since 2003. She joined our regular staff part time in 2004 to share the teaching of a Year 4 class.

Mrs Wilkinson is our PE subject leader and since August 2008 has taught solely PE throughout the school, including swimming in Years 3, 4 and 5 and after school sports clubs for all ages. Mrs Wilkinson is excellent at establishing links between our school and sports clubs throughout the region. We have benefitted from her determination and tenacity to develop outstanding provision for sport at our school.

Mrs Wilkinson has two young children who keep her busy. When she has time to herself she enjoys a wide range of sports including cycling, running and tennis.

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Jenny Williamson - Class Teacher

Mrs Williamson has taught throughout the junior age range in both Leicester and Barwell for more years than she cares to remember! She has seen generations pass through the school and always enjoys hearing how past pupils are getting on in their further education and their employment.

Mrs Williamson is the subject leader for Geography throughout school - a subject she enjoys very much.

Family life is all important to Mrs Williamson - the family being husband, two children and two very loveable guinea pigs called Max and Freddie. Although Mrs Williamson thoroughly enjoys gardening and art and craft activities, her favourite 'occupation' is relaxing at home with her family.

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Kerry Wittering - Administrative Officer

Miss Wittering joined our staff in December 2008. Prior to becoming a part of our team, Miss Wittering worked in administration at Barlestone Primary School. We are very pleased that she has brought so many great administrative skill to our school.

Miss Wittering is likely to be one of the first faces you will see if you call in to our school. With Mrs Harris she is responsible for the smooth running of the main office, including dealing with personal callers and answering the telephone. The registers and all money that comes through school are some of the big jobs for the office. Miss Wittering also deals with school uniform, letters that have to be written, e-mails and the school post. Thank goodness she is well organised!

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Roger Young - Premises Officer

Mr Young joined our staff in November 2007, following the retirement of our previous Premises Officer.

Mr Young is responsible for leading the Premises Team to make sure that all buildings and grounds are kept clean, tidy and in a good state of repair. Mr Young also works closely with our Site manager Mrs Marston.

In his spare time Mr Young also works in a voluntary capacity on conservation projects and with the Fire Service as a Retained Fireman.

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