Headteacher – Kate Maxwell
I grew up in Richmond, North Yorkshire, and my connection to the local community has shaped both my values and my career in education. After studying Classics at the University of Oxford and completing my PGCE at Durham University, I began a journey that has taken me through a wide range of school settings.
For eleven years, I worked in a large primary school serving a predominantly military community with high mobility. During that time, I championed the Arts, led as SENCO, and spent eight years as Deputy Head—roles that strengthened my commitment to inclusion, creativity, and whole‑school improvement. Before this, I was Deputy Head in a rural Derbyshire junior school and SENCO in an inner‑city Manchester school, experiences that broadened my understanding of the diverse contexts in which children grow, learn, and thrive. My very first experience in a classroom, however, was right here at Applegarth School in 2005, when a short placement helped set me on the path to becoming a teacher.
Today, I feel incredibly privileged to be the Headteacher of Applegarth Primary School. It is a joy to lead such a dedicated and talented team, and to work alongside committed governors as we shape the school’s strategic direction together. Being part of Applegarth’s continued growth—academically, creatively, and as a nurturing community—is one of the great honours of my career.
Outside of school, I’m a parent of two sport‑loving children, while my own interests lie in music, art, literature, and exploring the outdoors. I also enjoy embracing new challenges—most recently attempting to learn how to sail a single‑handed dinghy, a welcome reminder of what it feels like to be a beginner again.
I bring empathy, curiosity, creativity, and a strong commitment to inclusion to every role I take on. Above all, I’m driven by the belief that every child deserves a high‑quality, diverse, and person‑centred education—one that is meaningful, joyful, and fun.
Deputy Headteacher – Kathryn Wilson
I started as Deputy Headteacher at Applegarth in January 2026. I trained at Leeds Metropolitan University with a specialism in Early Childhood education. I have held many senior roles throughout my teaching posts and have taught in a variety of state schools from inner city schools to small, rural schools. I have also been head of Pre-Prep in a private school. I am currently Vice Chair of Governors in the school where both my two children attend and I am studying towards my NPQH qualification. I was born and raised in North Yorkshire and my home town is Ripon. I know the area well as I taught in Northallerton during my early stages of my career. As the new Deputy Headteacher of Applegarth I am committed to ensuring every child feels safe, secure and can thrive in an environment that supports pupils with high aspirations and skills for life.
Chair of Governors – Sarah Parkinson
I was born in Germany to a military family and we moved to England when I was nine years old. My latter school years were spent in Northallerton before attending University in Leeds. Following completion of a BA Hons Degree in Business Management, I trained and qualified as an accountant in 2005. As much as I enjoyed accounting, I’d always felt a pull towards mental health and so in 2011 I began my therapeutic journey and qualified as a person-centred counsellor in 2016. My training and subsequent roles enabled me to provide support in a variety of settings, such as educational environments, refuges, rehabilitation centres, hospitals and personal homes.
In my current position as a Specialist Social and Emotional Mental Health Practitioner, I work to support children, young people and families within educational settings across Hambleton and Richmond. I am passionate about mental wellbeing, in particular that of children. I feel that we all have responsibility to ensure the best possible educational experiences for young people, and allow each individual to reach their full potential. When an opening became available in 2020 to join the governing board, I saw it as an opportunity to support the school from a strategic perspective. Since then, I have seen the school adapt and develop in difficult economic times, to continue to give our children the most consistent support possible. As the mum of 2 children who are thriving at Applegarth Primary School, I am committed to my role as parent governor and will continue to promote the school’s ethos and values.
Vice Chair of Governors – Co-opted Governor – Claire Mitchell
I grew up in Middlesbrough and completed my degree in Dance in Education with the Royal Academy of Dance before teaching ballet for 15 years. I then had two children of my own and this ignited my interest in Early Years and Primary Education. I worked as the treasurer for a local playgroup before retraining as a primary school teacher and I have worked for a number of years across the whole primary age range, with a particular focus on Early Years. I am passionate about ensuring that children have access to an inspirational curriculum and high-quality teaching in a holistic and nurturing environment. Having briefly worked at Applegarth (as a maternity cover teacher) I was delighted to accept the role of co-opted governor in March 2023.
Staff Governor – Lisa Evans
I grew up in East Cleveland in a large family and, as the eldest of many cousins, I developed an early love for working with children. I studied at Darlington College where I gained my Diploma in Nursery Nursing and continued my education through work-based training, gaining valuable practical experience while achieving my NVQ Level 4 in Childcare and Management.
Before joining Applegarth in October 2020, I worked in a private nursery in Northallerton for 16 years, where I was Deputy Manager and SENDCo. I initially joined Applegarth as a Midday Supervisor so that I could spend more time with my three children, who were attending the school at the time. However, I quickly realised that I wanted to play a bigger role within this wonderful school community.
I am now a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) based in Nursery, where I use my experience and knowledge to support children in their early years. I also really enjoy the opportunity to work across the whole school and support pupils and staff in different areas.
Working locally and having my own children attend the school has given me valuable insight into the community, which has helped me greatly in my role at Applegarth. I have worked with children throughout my entire career and continue to build on my knowledge to help our children grow and develop. I am particularly passionate about early years development and ensuring children achieve the best possible outcomes.
I have completed additional training in speech and language development, Makaton, Early Years practice and Early Years SENDCo. These areas are especially important to me, and I am committed to applying this knowledge to support children so they can thrive and reach their full potential.
When the opportunity arose to become a Staff Governor, I was very keen to take on the role. It allows me to represent and support our staff team while working closely with the governors and leadership team as we continue striving to improve our school. I am proud to contribute to the school community and also enjoy supporting PTA events with the school disco and summer fayre being my favourites as these events along with many others bring our families together.
Outside of school life, I love to spend time with my family, going for walks and exploring North Yorkshire and National Trust sites as well as going to music concerts and reading a good book.
Co-opted Governor – Jill Pawluk
Parent Governor – Joe Hargreaves
I grew up in Guisborough and later near to Darlington and after getting my degree in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester, I have spent my whole working life working as an accountant. After several years I then gained my professional qualification as a chartered accountant with the ICAEW and am now a partner in a firm of accountants. I have 2 children at Applegarth and I wanted to be able to help the school so when I had the opportunity to join the governing board, I jumped at the chance to be able to apply my financial skills to help Applegarth school. I have been a governor since December 2024 and am now the chair of the finance committee for the board of governors. I am also an active helper with the PTA, you may have seen me helping at some of the events and with my wife being on the board of the PTA we actively plan many of the events that the PTA have and the children enjoy throughout the year, raising additional funds which allow the school to buy additional equipment and learning materials, which is so important when school budgets are so tight. I am also a member of Northallerton rugby club, having regularly played weekly until recently and even go to play at Twickenham Stadium in 2019.
Parent Governor – Ellen Wilson
I’ve lived in Northallerton all my life and was a pupil at Applegarth many years ago. I have so many special memories from my time at the school, and I’m still close friends with the people I met there. My daughter now attends and is thriving in the nursery and she’ll be starting in reception in September.
After finishing my A levels at Northallerton college, i made the decision that university wasn’t for me. I began an apprenticeship with North Yorkshire Council. Over the years I’ve worked in a variety of roles across the organisation in HR, libraries and education. I now lead a team of salespeople focused on growing our traded offering to schools and academies across the north of England.
Because Applegarth played such an important part in my own childhood, it feels incredibly meaningful to return as a governor. I want to help ensure that many more children have the same positive experiences I was lucky enough to enjoy.
Parent Governor – Leon Newton
I have strong ties to Applegarth School, as most of my immediate family have attended over the years. I was just too old to attend when I moved to Northallerton at the age of 12.
I went on to study genetics at the University of Liverpool, and after graduating, I worked in the labs, testing the development of new and emerging cancer treatments.
Around ten years ago, I joined Macmillan Cancer Support, where I now work in systems development.
My partner and I moved back to Northallerton during the Covid pandemic as we prepared to welcome the first of our two children.
I joined the governing board as I felt my experience in projects and development whilst using limited public funds could come in handy with supporting a school that has contributed a lot to my family.
Parent Governor – Steph McGuinness
I was born and raised in Northallerton and completed my entire primary education at Applegarth, an experience that gave me a strong foundation and a lasting connection to the local community. At 18, I went on to study at Manchester Metropolitan University, where I completed my teaching degree in 2007.
My teaching career has taken me to schools in Aberdeen and Scarborough, before an opportunity arose to teach at a British International School in Kenya. During my time there, I met my husband and welcomed my first child, gaining invaluable personal and professional experiences along the way. We later returned to Northallerton to be closer to family, and I now teach at an independent school just outside York. I am a parent to two children who both attend Applegarth.
I joined the governing board as a parent governor in January 2025, motivated by a desire to use my leadership experience in education to help support and challenge the school as it continues to move forward. I strongly believe that the education system plays a vital role not only in academic achievement but in helping young people discover their strengths, values, and sense of self. I am passionate about high educational standards, inclusivity, and ensuring that all students have access to a truly holistic education that prepares them for life beyond the classroom.
