Upper Key Stage 2 Team

• Mrs A Young
  Assistant Headteacher & Ribble Class Teacher
  Mrs A Young

  I started teaching in 2009 and have worked in schools across Leeds, Wakefield and Bradford.

  I just love working with children. Everyday is different and you can always rely on children to make you giggle several times a day. Being both a leader and class teacher, I particularly enjoy working across the school but also having my own class and watching them grow as young people.

  There are lots of great and funny moments in schools but I particularly enjoy residential when I have taken children on a river walk. The sheer shock of cold water entering 30 pairs of little wellies and the excitement on children's faces as they have lots of fun.

  A word to describe me? 'Enthusiastic'.

• Mr D Martindale
  Ribble Class Teacher
  Mr D Martindale

  I have been working in schools since 2020.

  I love working in schools because no two days are the same and no two children are the same. I get to see them grow and have a few laughs along the way.

  One of the best things that has happened to me whilst working in schools, was taking a class on a school trip and seeing their eyes light up at the new experiences they were having.

  One word to describe me as a professional is 'enthusiastic'.

• Mrs K Moore
  Ribble Class Teaching Assistant
  Mrs K Moore

  I have worked in school since 2012.

  I like the different everyday challenges working in school brings and the enjoyment of seeing children happy and learning.

  My favourite moments are when children have struggled with a task for a while but still persevered on, the moment they understand how to do it and can then do it independently is fantastic. ￿ To me the best moments working in school are seeing the children achieving, learning and smiling.

  The word to describe me as a professional: 'Dedicated'.

• Mrs N Sutcliffe
  Ryburn Class Teacher
  Mrs N Sutcliffe

  I have been working in schools since 2012.

  The best thing about working in a school is that every single day is different so it never gets boring! ￿ I know that the children are always going to make me laugh.

  The best thing that has happened to me whilst working in a school is taking part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival. I have never been so nervous, excited and petrified for the children I have worked with. It was a roller-coaster of emotions (for me and the children) throughout the rehearsal process and we had quite a few wobbles along the way. On the night they absolutely blew me away and I was so proud watching them from the side of the stage,so much so I made a few chuckle whilst I was jumping around like a lunatic when they were remembering everything we had worked on! I have never been so full of pride for a group of children I have worked with. Definitely a highlight for my teaching career so far!

  The word to describe me: 'Dedicated'.

• Miss H Nicholas
  Ryburn Class Teaching Assistant
  Miss H Nicholas

  I first came to Valley View in 2009 whilst studying. In 2011 I became a teaching assistant at Valley View for two years before moving to Dubai to teach in 2013. I returned to Valley View in 2018.

  What I love about my job is seeing children progress. That moment when it all just 'clicks'. I enjoy watching them play, develop and grow. Being a part of that progression provides a great rewarding feeling.

  One Christmas whilst discussing St. Nicholas a young child asked if he was my dad. I replied he is my great grandfather, this resulted in some extremely well-behaved children in the weeks leading up to Christmas and also a lot of Christmas lists to pass on to Santa. The tale has since been discussed at Christmas time ever since.

  A word to describe me? - 'Passionate'.

• Mrs L Jackson
  Ryburn Class Teacher (1 day) & Senior Teaching Assistant
  Mrs L Jackson

  I have been working in schools since 2007.

  I love the wide variety of children and age ranges that I get to work with through out the school. Everybody in the school helps and supports each other, and will do so with a smile on their face.

  Working in a school means there are fantastic, funny and inspiring moments every day. It's hard to choose one in particular.

  A good word to describe me would be 'Dependable'.

• Mrs P Hudson
  UKS2 Teaching Assistant
  Mrs P Hudson

  I have worked in schools since 2002.

  What I love about my job is that every day is so different. ￿ I love the smiles and hugs I receive from the children and the feeling of achievement when you have worked with the children and they finally get it!

  I think one of the best things for me was when I worked in a Year 6 class and after SATs, the children formed a company to raise funds for a final day trip to the seaside. They did bob-a-job week, bun sales, ice-cream sales and much more. ￿ They raised enough money for a trip to Filey. ￿ It was an amazing day and a great trip for their final days together as a class.

  A word to describe me: Affable.

• Miss R Maston
  Washburn Class Teacher
  Miss R Maston

  I have been working in schools since 2015.

  One thing I love about teaching is the variety that every day brings. One hour you can be teaching about the Rivers of the world, then in the next hour you can be learning how to using coding software on the computer! You can also always count on the children to bring variety to your day as you never quite know which direction their inquisitive minds will take the learning.

  One of the funniest things that has happened to me as a teacher is on many occasions being mistaken as one of the children in the class! At 5ft tall, you easily blend into a crowd of Key Stage 2 children!

  The one word that describes me as a professional is 'energetic'.

• Mrs H Durkan
  Washburn Graduate Learning Assistant
  Mrs H Durkan

  I've been working in schools since 2015.

  I love working in schools because I love working with children and learning new things every day. I love that every day is different.

  Valley View School is a fantastic place to work because of our children and staff, who work together to learn and care for each other.

  My funniest memory is when my class managed to persuade myself and lots of other Valley View staff to have cold custard poured all over our heads in front of the rest of the school!

  A word to describe me is 'Kind'.

• Mrs L Riley
  Washburn Class Teaching Assistant
  Mrs L Riley

  I have been working in schools since 2008. ￿ If I am honest I have lost count as the years have gone so fast!

  I enjoy working at Valley View because every day is different, it is never boring. I enjoy helping and watching the children achieve and grow into independent learners.

  There have been many funny things happen to me whilst working in a school. Everyday makes me smile. ￿ As I am the first aider, lots of the children are sent to me when they have fallen over or have had a minor accident. Lots of children have asked me, "Are you a doctor?!" This always makes me smile.

  A word to describe me: Enthusiastic

• Mrs L Staveley
  Year 6 Teaching Assistant
  Mrs L Staveley

  I have been working in schools since 2012.

  I enjoy working at Valley View as everyone is so helpful and friendly. I find working in the school environment such a rewarding job, just the little everyday things that mean so much to some children make me smile.

  The best thing for me about working at Valley View is the feeling of togetherness. All the staff look out for each other and the children are so friendly and happy that it makes it a joy to come to work.

  If I had to describe myself I would say I am patient and caring.

• Mr L Dixon
  Wenning Class Teacher
  Mr L Dixon

  I have been working in schools since 2007.

  As a teacher, I particularly like the fact that every day is different; one day children are investigating in Science whereas another day children could be researching historical facts or problem solving in maths.

  I enjoy learning new skills and researching different interesting facts and activities so as to make my lessons fun. I also enjoy watching children progress - the "aha moment" is priceless when a child finally understands what you've been teaching. You can see it on their faces, and you know you've opened a door in their minds that might otherwise have remained closed.

  One word to describe me as a professional would be 'dedicated'.

• Mrs J Siney
  Wenning Class Senior Teaching Assistant
  Mrs J Siney

  I've worked in schools since 1991... and started here in January 2012.

  I love the "awe and wonder" moments when children learn something new.

  I was once mistaken for one of the children on a school trip and was told, "You're a confident little madam, maybe you should wait for your teacher to come and sign you all in!" (at a museum )

  A word to describe me is: 'Caring'.

• Mrs A Urmston
  UKS2 Teacher currently on maternity leave
  Mrs A Urmston

  I have worked in schools since 2009.

  I like my job because of the children and their enthusiasm - you never know where a lesson may go because of their questions about a topic.

  One of best things that has happened since working in a school is watching my class perform Hamlet at the Carriageworks Theatre.

  The word that describes me as a professional: 'Committed'.