Early Years Foundation Stage Team

• Ms A Fotheringhame
  Assistant Headteacher and Nursery Teacher
  Ms A Fotheringhame

  I have been teaching since 1995, and loved every minute (maybe not the time I was 'custarded' for Comic Relief!)

  It honestly is an absolute privilege to be a part of a week, a month, a year or even a whole primary school career of children's learning, development and growth. Sometimes I can't believe how lucky I am!

  The best thing ever was taking a child who had never been to the seaside on a trip to Filey. She was soaking wet and covered in sand for most of the day, with the biggest ever grin on her face from the moment she stepped onto the coach to the moment she fell into her parents' arms with exhaustion when we came back - sheer pleasure!

  I am very passionate about my job.

• Mrs K McNiven
  Nursery Senior Teaching Assistant
  Mrs K McNiven

  I have worked in school nurseries since 2007.

  I like helping the nursery children developing into independent, confident little people, who are ready to start school.

  I love to listen to the children whilst they play. Their imaginations make me laugh. I also like it when they achieve something that seems so small, like putting on their own coat, makes them so proud of themselves.

  I am 'Patient'.

• Mrs A Roome
  Nursery Teaching Assistant
  Mrs A Roome

  I love working in a school because of the diversity of the things I do and the people I meet - no day is the same! I particularly like working at Valley View because we are one big family. I've been a School Governor since 2011 but after working briefly at another school in Leeds I joined the team at Valley View in March 2016.

  Funny and amazing things happen often in school, but I remember being on a trip to Armley Mills Victorian school room and the very strict school mistress told some of the adults off for not listening, the children thought it very funny but no-one dared laugh!

• Miss J Chew
  Reception Teaching Assistant
  Miss J Chew

  I started working at Valley View school in October 2020.

  I love my job. I feel so very lucky to be part of the Valley View family. The children are so entertaining. Even at such a young age, they have the most amazing and unique personalities. That make me laugh and smile everyday. Helping the children learn and to see how happy they are when they achieve something, is just wonderful to me.

  2020 was such a difficult year for everyone. So I think the best thing so far for me. Was seeing how amazingly well the children coped with everything, and to think that I was part of making their life at nursery enjoyable.

  A word to describe me is 'Reliable'.

• Miss A Mollart
  Arram Class Teacher
  Miss A Mollart

  I have worked in schools since 2008.

  The best bit about my job is teaching children new skills.

  The best thing is getting to listen to all the children's funny comments and stories.

  I would say I am 'Responsive'.

• Mrs P Dickinson
  Nursery Teaching Assistant
  Mrs P Dickinson

  I have worked in schools for more than 25 years on and off, most recently at Rodley and Valley View.

  I enjoy working in school. It's a super place to work so much going on. No two days are ever the same. It's good to feel you've been a part of a team of staff that works well together and have made children happy, settled and learning can happen.

  So many things have been funny like the time I made meringues with the children which turned out like pancakes, or I got stuck in the rings on the ski slope at Xscape whilst on a school trip and I couldn't get out for laughing and no one else could help for laughing! ... to the things the children say or do that make me laugh. The best and most amazing thing ever is when a child achieves something that they have once struggled with and you see the look of pride on their face (Wow, wow, wow!)

  A word to describe me: 'Caring'.

• Miss K Wilkinson
  Reception Teaching Assistant
  Miss K Wilkinson

  I have worked in schools since 2012.

  I love seeing children grow and develop to become confident, independent learners. I love to know I am helping sculpt their future and that every day is different. I enjoy making the children's time in school happy and memorable.

  I have been thinking about my funniest moment working in schools but there are too many and hopefully many more to come. Being involved in my last classes talent show was probably the funniest moment, when one of the boys was doing a free style crazy dance and the whole class laughed together.

  A word to describe me is 'Caring'.

• Mrs L Nicholson
  Aire Class Senior Teaching Assistant
  Mrs L Nicholson

  I have worked in schools since 1989, with a little time off when I had my children.

  I like seeing the children growing in confidence and learning to believe in themselves and their own abilities and also knowing that they are valued for who they are.

  My best moment was having the opportunity to visit a school in Sweden to observe how they ran their Early Years Department, it was a great experience which I found very interesting and rewarding.

  One word to describe me as a professional would be a 'Team Player' (not sure that's classed as one word, sorry!).

• Mrs J Hudson
  Learning Mentor and Reception HLTA
  Mrs J Hudson

  I have worked in schools since 1999.

  What I like about my job is seeing children grow.

  My funniest moment is when Mrs Dowling and I did a big art lesson involving mod roc (plaster of Paris on bandage sheets). I had never used mod roc before, and thought I would 'help' by cleaning up afterwards. There was mod roc dust everywhere, and I mopped the floor with a wet mop - meaning that the floors were white with plaster dust, and there were footprints all around the school. I'm not sure if I'll ever be allowed the mod roc out again!

  The best word to describe me is 'Happy'.

• Miss S Meredith
  Reception Teaching Assistant
  Miss S Meredith

  I started working in schools in 2018, however I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in 2008.

  I love working in Early Years because it is extremely rewarding watching children grow and develop. Seeing them gain confidence in their abilities, knowing that you were a part of it is amazing.

  One of the things I find the funniest about working in schools is how many children struggle to say Meredith. I have had many variations of it over the years including my favourite 'Miss Merry'.

  One word that describes me is 'Patient'.

• Miss L Hoyle
  Aire Class Teacher
  Miss L Hoyle