School Staff

Hello, I'm Mrs Young. I am a Reception teacher here at Kirk Fenton Primary School. From a young age I knew I wanted to be a teacher and set my sights on completing my teacher training in one of my favourite cities, York. Once I had completed my three years training I decided to become a supply teacher to gain more experience and find the school for me...that school was Kirk Fenton! I began my time at Kirk Fenton as a teaching assistant before taking the role of a Reception class teacher. I feel very lucky to be part of such an incredible community here at Kirk Fenton.

I am a huge Disney fan, and in the school holidays enjoy visiting the magical Walt Disney World with my family. In my spare time I also enjoy spending time with my friends, decorating my house and shopping... lots of shopping! 

Hello, I’m Mrs Westfeld and I am teaching Mrs Young’s Reception class while she is away on maternity leave. I have been a teacher for over fifteen years and love teaching the Early Years age range. For a number of years I taught in a school near Wakefield and recently I have done supply teaching across Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. I grew up in Warwick and moved north to study after completing my A Levels, eventually settling in York. In my spare time I enjoy reading, baking and exploring the Yorkshire countryside with my husband and two children.

Hello I’m Miss Hendrickson. I am the reception and Year 1 teacher here at Kirk Fenton. After completing my teacher training with the STAR schools direct programme, I was keen to work within the STAR MAT once I qualified. When the opportunity arose to work at Kirk Fenton I jumped at the chance. I am lucky to be a part of such a welcoming and supportive team here at Kirk Fenton.

When I am not at school, I am kept busy with my 4 year old daughter. As a family we love going for walks, spending time with friends and eating roast dinners! 

My teaching career began many years ago, when I graduated from the University of Leeds.  I started my teaching career in Leeds and have taught in all year groups in different types of schools.

After coming to Kirk Fenton as a supply teacher,  I quickly realised what a fantastic staff and school it is.  I am currently working in a job share in year two.

When I am not working or acting as a personal chauffeur/secretary/ cook to my children, I can usually be found walking in the Yorkshire Dales.  I am married and have three children.  I love baking, gardening, meeting up with friends, and reading.  I am currently contemplating getting a cocker spaniel!

Hello I’m Miss Exton and I will be the year 3 teacher at Kirk Fenton until Mrs Bembridge returns. I have always wanted to be a teacher and started teaching my siblings once I had started school as I was so excited to share everything I had learnt. 

I decided to go to Sheffield Hallam to begin my teacher training and explore the Steel City. I was very excited to come home to York after my degree as it is my favourite place in the world. I love the history and culture of York; I learn something new every time I walk along the Bar walls or to the Minster. 

Before teaching I spent most of my time coaching gymnastics and trampolining and I love to practise in my spare time!

Hello I’m Mr Symes and I’m the current year 5 teacher. I always wanted to be a teacher from a young age, however it just took me a little longer to pursue it. Before entering teaching, I had a range of jobs from snowboard instructing to being a chef.  Eventually, with the support of my wife, I decided that I would finally train to be a teacher. With Kirk Fenton being my first teaching post, I can safely say that it was the right decision.

After meeting in Canada where I was living, my wife and I moved back to England and then I left the south coast to move to York to start my training. During my training, we got married and had our first daughter, and then recently we welcomed the birth of our second daughter. 

I was born in Germany because my father was in the Armed Forces and he was based there for 8 years. I returned to the UK with my family when I was 9 months old and was raised in Leeds where I lived and worked as a Legal Secretary until my recent move to Church Fenton. I have one daughter and two cats. We chose Church Fenton to move to after visiting the school and deciding this was a great school for our daughter to attend, as we loved the ethos and values the school instils in its pupils. I am an avid reader and love spending time reading. When I am not reading I am often to be found baking.

I joined the school in 2018 as a Midday Supervisor and am now enjoying my position as a Teaching Assistant. I am looking forward to the new challenges and learning this will bring.

This is my first job since finishing my college course in June 2015, I studied ‘Children’s Care, Learning and Development’ at York college where I completed various placements that allowed me to gain experience with working with children. I am loving my time at Kirk Fenton School but I can’t believe how quick the days go! The children are friendly, independent and enthusiastic and I have been made to feel very welcome by both children and staff. During my spare time I enjoy baking, spending time with my friends and during the summer months I enjoy going to music festivals with my sister and friends. During my time at Kirk Fenton I hope to develop my knowledge and skills further whilst making some lovely memories on the way.

After a career in banking and then being at home with my children I became involved at their school as a parent and then a dinner lady. I really enjoyed the school environment so when the opportunity arose to work at Kirk Fenton, first as a dinner lady then as a teaching assistant I jumped at the chance. Over the many years working here I have worked with all year groups and always with a great staff team. When I'm not working I enjoy reading, baking, making things but my favourite thing is spending time with my family and friends.

Hi there! I have worked in education for many years in a variety of roles.  My role at Kirk Fenton as HLTA involves teaching in classes across the school when teachers have their planning and preparation time, out of class. It is fantastic to be able to work with all the staff and pupils across the different year groups!  On a personal level I enjoy reading and knitting and love to spend time with my family, which includes my husband, my two children aged eleven and seven and my pets!  Together we enjoy going for long walks and visiting places of interest such as castles and museums!

Hello, I am Miss Bingley and I make up 1/5 of the Early Years team!
I enjoy baking, running and painting.
I have been working with children for six years now.
I have a level 3 in ‘Children’s Care, Learning and Development’.
I am currently studying part-time at the university of Leeds, towards a Foundation Degree in ‘Learning and Teaching'

Hello, I am Miss Bingley and I make up 1/5 of the Early Years team!
I enjoy baking, running and painting.
I have been working with children for six years now.
I have a level 3 in ‘Children’s Care, Learning and Development’.
I am currently studying part-time at the university of Leeds, towards a Foundation Degree in ‘Learning and Teaching'

I was born in Germany because my father was in the Armed Forces and he was based there for 8 years. I returned to the UK with my family when I was 9 months old and was raised in Leeds where I lived and worked as a Legal Secretary until my recent move to Church Fenton. I have one daughter and two cats. We chose Church Fenton to move to after visiting the school and deciding this was a great school for our daughter to attend, as we loved the ethos and values the school instils in its pupils. I am an avid reader and love spending time reading. When I am not reading I am often to be found baking.

I joined the school in 2018 as a Midday Supervisor and am now enjoying my position as a Teaching Assistant. I am looking forward to the new challenges and learning this will bring.

I grew up in the Lake District but moved to Yorkshire to study at university and have lived in the York area ever since.
I've worked at universities and colleges in marketing, events and administration, managed a bookshop, travelled parts of New Zealand, the USA and Europe before having my two daughters and focusing on raising a family.

I love all things to do with nature and wildlife as well as the Arts and sports. Happiness is a walk through the woods with my girls and husband and a pub lunch followed by a trip to the theatre, cinema or a gig. Or, weather permitting, a day at the cricket. I also enjoy stories and getting lost in a book or writing and pottering around independent art galleries.

I work part time over lunchtimes and as a parent helper. It's lovely being around the children; they are very entertaining and have some wonderful ideas! 

I grew up in Edinburgh and after training in Technical Theatre I spent the next 15 years working in a variety of theatres around the country including Nottingham Playhouse and the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend as well as several seasons at Alton Towers as a lighting technician on the live shows. I eventually settled in the West Midlands where I was the Technical Manager for a college theatre providing all the backstage support for both student and professional productions. After nearly 30 years in the theatre industry it was time for a change and relocation to Yorkshire gave me the opportunity to work within the Health & Safety field for a few years. Having been made redundant I am now enjoying semi retirement here at Kirk Fenton as caretaker and finding time to enjoy more leisure pursuits such as my garden and the local WI group.