Early Years Foundation Stage Team

• Mrs A Fotheringhame
  Assistant Headteacher & Nursery Teacher
  Mrs 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. Â 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. Â 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 H Dowling
  Nursery Teacher & SENDCO
  Mrs H Dowling

  I have been working in schools since 2004.

  I like it that every day is different when working in a school. You never know what might happen next!

  The best thing was when a Year 1 child said, "You are like the princess in this book!"

  The word that describes me as a professional is 'Enthusiastic'.

• Mrs A Atkinson
  Arram Teacher
  Mrs A Atkinson

• Mrs A Lindop
  Arram Class Teacher
  Mrs A Lindop

  I started working in schools in 2011 and have been at Valley View since 2015.

  Everyday is different, which is always exciting and it keeps everyone on their toes. One of the best things about working in schools is definitely working with such dedicated staff and children. It is always such a pleasure to see children succeed and to watch their learning journeys throughout their years at school.

  So many funny things happen daily that it would be so hard to choose just one moment. I guess that is what makes this job so special! But one of the best things I love about working in schools is giving children opportunities. For example, seeing children on school trips is always so wonderful and seeing the big, beaming smiles on their faces says it all really!

  A word to describe me is 'dedicated'.

• Mr W Hendy
  Arram Class Teacher
  Mr W Hendy

  I have been working in schools since 2007.

  I like it that every day is different. We work on so many different things, with so many different people: children, parents, colleagues and other adults. It's always a challenge, so gets your brain thinking about solving problems. I like working at Valley View because the children and staff are so friendly, willing to learn and progress.

  The best thing is watching pupils' confidence in their abilities grow... and the funniest (and scariest) moment was chasing a dog through classrooms, the hall and corridors. Every day is different!

  The word that describes me as a professional 'Active'.

• Mrs A Fennelly
  Aire Class Teacher
  Mrs A Fennelly

  I have been working in schools since 2002.

  I love my job because every day is different. You never know what's around the corner and this makes it fun, challenging but most of all exciting.

  One of the best parts about working in schools has got to be seeing children grow in confidence and enjoying their learning. It is also amazing to see children achieve and progress throughout the year. By the end of each academic year I always feel proud of what all the children have achieved.

  A word to describe me is 'Caring'.

• 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 H Pickup
  Nursery Teaching Assistant
  Mrs H Pickup

• Mrs S Davidson
  Nursery Teaching Assistant
  Mrs S Davidson

• 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'.

• Mrs L Nicholson
  Arram 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!).

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• Mrs A Roome
  Arram Class 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 S Meredith
  Aire Class Teaching Assistant
  Miss S Meredith

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  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 J Chew
  Aire Class 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'.