Senior Leadership Team
Mr I Chapman
Headteacher
It gives me great pleasure to introduce myself as the new headteacher of Upper Wharfedale School. I feel very privileged to have been appointed by the governors and I’m looking forward to getting to know all of our school community and taking this amazing school from strength to strength.
Mrs H Mukherjee
Assistant Headteacher – SENCO
Subjects: Science – PSHCE -Geography
I started working at Upper Wharfedale in September 1998 and I am very proud that this is my place of work. The school knows and values every individual, creating a safe and secure environment which ensures strong progress for all.
Mr H Barton
Director of Learning Science and Geography
Subjects: Science
I am proud to have worked at Upper Wharfedale School since 2013. The positive changes I have seen the school go through result in an enjoyable community to work in that turn our students into confident, able young adults ready for the next step in their education.
Mr B Richardson
Director of Learning Visual and Performing Arts
Subjects: Physical Education
Having started working at Upper Wharfedale school in 2007, I have seen the school go through many positive changes. I am proud to lead a fantastic faculty promoting, amongst others, students’ confidence, self esteem, communication and leadership skills. My passion is Physical Education and Sport, and my aim is to give every student, what ever their capability an opportunity to improve and shine, whilst believing in themselves and enjoying competition both intrinsically and extrinsically.
Mr J Mitton
Director of Learning Human Studies
Subjects: History
I’m a Director of Learning for Human Studies which incorporates English, MFL, RE and History. I have worked at UWS since 2008 and I’m passionate about supporting our young people to be the best they can be.
Mr J Ashley
Director of Learning Maths and Enterprise
Subjects: Maths
I joined Upper Wharfedale School in 2018 as Director of Maths and Enterprise. I’m looking forward to making use of twenty years of teaching and leadership experience to work with a fantastic group of staff and students to build on current successes and be part of a wonderful wider school community.
Mr T Curtis
Subject Leader
Subjects: English
As an experienced English teacher with a background in pastoral care, I am delighted to work in the student-focused environment of Upper Wharfedale School. I enjoy a vibrant classroom where students are encouraged to challenge themselves with their reading.
Mrs M Harris
Teacher
Subjects: English
Teaching students to find and to appreciate the power that lies in words is very important to me. I enjoy seeing them fly when they learn to articulate what they themselves think, and seeing their confidence grow when they learn to discuss others’ perceptions of the world, as presented in literary texts.
Mrs A Curtis
Teacher
Subjects: English & Drama
I am an experienced English teacher, having taught at UWS since 2015. In this time, I have played an integral part towards the development of the new and challenging 1-9 GCSE curriculum; it is a pleasure to see our students rise to this challenge.
Mrs B Eggleton
Teacher
Subjects: Maths
I have been teaching Maths for a very long time, and have been at UWS since 2009. I grew up in Northern Ireland so although I am not originally from the Dales, this is my local school now and I am passionate about being part of its success story.
Mrs D Cliffe
Teacher
Subjects: Maths
I joined UWS Mathematics Department in September 2016. I enjoy working as part of a dynamic team aiming to instill a deeper understanding and passion for the subject.
Mr M Lloyd
Teacher
Subjects: Science
I started at Upper Wharfedale School in September 2018 and I am excited to be part of such a unique learning environment. It’s great to be able to contribute to creating a positive experience for our students so that they can grow into confident and successful individuals.
Miss P Roberts
Teacher
Subjects: Science
I am really excited to be teaching Biology at Upper Wharfedale and to be working with the fantastic staff and students here. My vision is to inspire all students to aim high and become resilient, curious and lifelong learners so that they can continue to succeed in anything they decide to do in their future.
Mrs S Newall
KS3 Leader & Subject Leader
Subjects: Art & Design
I am delighted to be teaching Art and design to all pupils at Upper Wharfedale school. I hope to share my passion of Art and the visual world through an exciting and creative curriculum. In leading the KS3 students at Upper Wharfedale, I endeavour to support Mr Chapman and the SLT team in providing a safe and supportive school environment where students strengths and successes can be celebrated and their diversity is recognised and respected.
Miss N Khan
Subject Leader
Subjects: RE – PSHCE
Having started as a Subject Leader of RE and PSHCE at UWS in 2012; I have enjoyed developing the position of both subjects amongst students in the school. Seeing the impact of this in GCSE attainment for RE has been a pleasure for me to oversee, with student progress in the subject being amongst the highest in the school. As a keen F1 fan, I also work alongside Mr Marston and Mr Barton on the F1 in Schools STEM project.
Mrs A Bell
Subject Leader
Subjects: French
I joined the school in 2010 as Subject leader for French and am committed to equipping our students to live and work in the wider world. Although our main language taught in school is French, we explore many aspects of French culture and geography as part of our study. I believe strongly in helping to build students’ communication skills in general and supporting them to become international citizens of the world.
Ms V Cooke
Teacher
Subjects: French
I love languages and believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn one – it’s good for your brain and it also opens up a world of opportunities. I have taught four languages to all ages from reception to retired adults and am very proud to be working at UWS in such a lovely setting with such great students.
Mr A Lambert
Subject Leader
Subjects: ICT
I have only recently joined UWS but have been blown away by the welcome from both students and staff. I am looking forwards to exploring the world of ICT and Computer Science with the school from programming to cyber security and securing great outcomes as well as life skills.
Mr A Marston
Subject Leader
Subjects: Design Technology
I have enjoyed working here at UWS for the majority of my career having planned to stay just 2 years! Teaching D&T has given me numerous opportunities to develop new skills as well as those of my students and I am particularly proud of our recent achievements in the F1 in Schools competition.
Mrs J Doidge
Subject Leader
Subjects: Food Technology
I am an experienced and passionate Food Teacher having worked in a number of State Secondary Schools. My ambition is to furnish young people with vital life skills in both practical cookery and wider food knowledge; but, in addition, I want to enrich our students’ lives by instilling a love of cooking, both for themselves and for others. UWS is a unique and remarkable learning environment. I feel privileged to teach our delightful, curious and enthusiastic students; I am also privileged to work alongside such talented and professional colleagues.
Mr A Jackson
KS4 Leader & Subject Leader
Subjects: Geography
The geography department aims to create a positive climate in which students are given a variety of opportunities to achieve excellence. Having been at UWS since 2007, I am proud to lead such an outstanding department with consistent sustained success in both student progress and achieving the Geographical Associations award for secondary geography.
Mrs D Gray
Subject Leader
Subjects: Performing Arts
I am delighted to be teaching Music, Drama and Performing Arts to students at Upper Wharfedale school. I hope to share my passion of Music and the Performing Arts through a creative curriculum.
Miss A Hall
Teacher
Subjects: Physical Education
Student Support Team
Mrs H Mukherjee
Assistant Headteacher – SENCO
Subjects: Science – PSHCE -Geography
I started working at Upper Wharfedale in September 1998 and I am very proud that this is my place of work. The school knows and values every individual, creating a safe and secure environment which ensures strong progress for all.
Mrs J Laidler-Smith
SEN Inclusion Coordinator
Since joining UWS in 2013 my main aim has always been to make a difference by promoting an inclusive environment for all of our students. Our work in the Learning Support Department is pivotal in enabling students to be the best individuals they can be now and for their future pathway.
Ms T Zaman
Student Support Coordinator & Cover Supervisor
I joined UWS in 2014 as an LSA and thoroughly enjoyed working to support students academically but wanted to support them holistically, I am now a Student Support Officer and Cover supervisor. I feel honoured and proud to be a part of these young peoples journey, joining us as children and leaving us in year 11 as confident young adults.
Mr N Headington
Student Support Officer
Learning Support Team
Mr C Bean
Learning Support Assistant
Having been a past student and now having worked at UWS since 2008, I’ve seen the school gain momentum year by year. I mainly support students in the PE Department. I set out to express my enthusiasm for sport and hopefully the students see and respond to that. What makes me happy is seeing children from all walks of life getting on with anyone – very evident here at Upper Wharfedale.
Mrs J Carroll
Learning Support Assistant
I joined Upper Wharfedale School in 2007. My role as a Learning Support Assistant is to provide support and guidance to every student throughout their secondary school years.
Mrs A Geldard
Learning Support Assistant
I have worked at UWS from 2008. I very much enjoy helping, encouraging and coaxing our students to become confident, capable and considerate young adults.
Mrs L Gibson
Cover Supervisor
I have worked at UWS since September 2005 and my role is cover supervisor. It is great to be part of an inclusive school and I enjoy working with students of all abilities and supporting them to achieve their targets and goals.
Mrs S Harhoff
Learning Support Assistant
Mrs S Pawson
Learning Support Assistant
I started at UWS in 2022 which will be my first time being an LSA following a long nursing career. I’ve already experienced so many positive things and essentially how the staff here values and knows every student, focusing on wellbeing and personalized achievements. The staff here are incredibly proactive and passionate towards supporting everyone, and feels very much a whole school approach.
Mrs L Plummer
Learning Support Assistant
I joined UWS in September 2009. It is great to be a part of this wonderfully inclusive school.
Mrs J Wiseman
Learning Support Assistant
I’m proud to have worked at UWS since 1993. It is a constant pleasure to be part of the team that enable our students to achieve their very best, and to watch them grow into confident, capable and independent young adults
Mrs L Taylor
Literacy and Support Coordinator
Initially, I visited UWS as a regular supply teacher in the English Department. I am now based in the LRC as the Literacy and Support Coordinator. I support students in their personalised intervention sessions, helping them to improve literacy skills and develop a love of reading and learning beyond the classroom.
Miss H Pearson
Learning Support Assistant
I joined UWS in December 2022. I enjoy working with students of all abilities and helping them achieve all their goals while at Upper Wharfedale School. The staff here are passionate about supporting all students and I am excited to join their team.
Miss C Edwards
Learning Support Assistant
I enjoy working within the family of Upper Wharfedale School. I am approachable, easy to work with and understanding.
Mrs L Day
Learning Support Assistant
Mrs N Wiseman
Learning Support Assistant
I started working at UWS in September 2024 and my passion is to help students flourish. My children have all attended UWS so I know how much of a great school it is, so to work here is a huge honour.
Mrs K Foster
Learning Support Assistant
I joined the team here at Upper Wharfedale School in Sept 24. Having been a past student I feel honoured to be a part of an excellent school and work alongside a great team. I love being able to help each student and support them in achieving their goals as they go through their school years.
Admin Team
Mrs S Neill
Office Manager
I have worked in the School since 2016 in various roles and I am currently the Office Manager.
Mrs K Durkin
Admin Assistant
I started working in the school office in 2023. I, along with my children attended UWS and am very much looking forward to progressing my role within the School.
Mrs B Amourdedieu
Admin Assistant
I have just joined UWS in September. After working mainly in finance, I’ve joined the office team and am thoroughly enjoying being part of the school again. I used to be a student here myself and have children that attend now.
Mrs L Lawn
School Receptionist
I have worked at UWS since 2012. I have a split role between receptionist and SEN administrator. These roles work well together, whilst being both diverse and rewarding. I aim to provide a warm welcome to everyone and ensure their experience of UWS is as good as mine was when my children came here.
Facilities Team
Mr S Lomax
Site Supervisor
After a long career in a very different industry, I have returned to my old school to meet new challenges. I look forward to working in this encouraging and enthusiastic environment.
Mr B Hall
IT Technician
Having been an ex-student at Upper Wharfedale School, I always had the enthusiasm on how IT & networking systems work. In my role as IT Technician, it is my responsibility to provide support to all students, staff and visitors with their use of the audio/visual and technical resources that are provided.
Mrs M Miwa
Assistant Technician
I am delighted to join Upper Wharfedale School as an Assistant School Technician – where I will be working with Science, Food Technology and Design Technology teachers. From my native Japan to the heart of the Yorkshire Dales – I look forward to helping the children on their journeys in life.