SCHOOL GOVERNOR PEN PORTRAITS
CATHERINE HALL
I am the chair of governors, I joined the governing body in 2016 as the local authority governor which means that I offered my help to any school in the borough, and they linked me up with Batley Parish. I have really enjoyed getting to know the school, seeing the commitment of the staff and pupils in a caring and supportive community and working with governance colleagues on strategic priorities to progress learning.
I have lived and worked in this area for over 30 years and have a grown-up son. In 2016 I took early retirement from a career as a senior manager working mostly in museums. I still work for the University of Leicester and also for Arts Council England. I am a volunteer for Kirklees Museums so you might also spot me at Bagshaw Museum.
RICHARD MARTIN
I have employment history of 45 years as a teacher in secondary education. My four children were pupils at Batley Parish School and presently so are my grandchildren. I have been a Governor since the early 1980s and Chair of Governors for a considerable part of that time. It is a privilege to support the school ethos in this way. I am a worshipping member of Batley Parish Church and on my second stint as Churchwarden as well as singing in the choir. I am also involved in several community groups in Batley.
ANNABEL POLSON
I was born in Dewsbury and have lived in Batley for most of my life. I am a member of Batley Parish Church Council, and I am also a Sunday school leader at the church. My daughter currently attends the school.
Following my degree in medical microbiology I have spent almost 20 years working for a large pharmaceutical company. My current role is senior specialist account manager, and I am also colleague chair of the company colleague forum. I have developed a wide range of skills in these roles which I am looking forward to using for the benefit of the school.
In my spare time I enjoy running and volunteering at Dewsbury Parkrun and you might also see me riding my horse around the streets of Upper Batley.
FR JONATHAN BISH
I am priest in charge of four Church of England parishes in Batley, including Batley Parish Church. I was brought up in the United States, and after a degree in law from the University of Oxford, I trained as a priest in Cambridge. I have been in ministry for ten years in different parts of West Yorkshire, and arrived in Batley in January 2023. I have served as a governor at two other schools, including three years as chair of governors. I have particular interests in history, music and theology, and recently completed a Masters which explored the relationship between medieval understandings of creation and contemporary theologies of disability. In my free time I sing with Wakefield Cathedral choir and also enjoy walking and going to concerts. You may spot me on my bicycle, as I mostly get around Batley on two wheels!
ZABAIR HUSSAIN
I serve as a Parent Governor, bringing a clinical mental-health perspective and current academic research to the board. I am a practising psychotherapist and a doctoral student at the University of Leeds. Alongside my clinical work across several services, including Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, I teach as an honorary lecturer at Gandhara University (Pakistan) and supervise trainee psychotherapists. I also provide consultation to a range of organisations in Iraq and to NGOs in Pakistan, advising on psychologically informed practice, safeguarding, and staff wellbeing in challenging settings. My academic background includes a BSc in Psychology, an MSc in Psychology and Health, and postgraduate qualifications (PGDip and PGCert) in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy.
I became a governor to help create systemic change that puts inclusion and wellbeing at the heart of school life. My priorities are to promote psychologically informed environments, strengthen staff and pupil wellbeing, and ensure rigorous safeguarding for vulnerable children. I aim to work with leaders to celebrate strengths, use evidence well, and maintain a compassionate culture of high expectations where every child feels safe, seen, and supported to succeed.
I value respectful challenge, clear accountability, and partnership with families and the community. Drawing on my clinical and international experience, I’m particularly interested in early intervention, attendance, and the impact of trauma-informed approaches on learning and behaviour. Above all, I’m committed to ensuring that every child whatever their starting point has access to a broad, ambitious curriculum and the support they need to thrive.
ASRAR AHMED
(Awaiting pen portrait information).
If you would like to contact the Chair of Governors, please do so by calling the school office on 01924 326361 or emailing office@batleyparish.enhanceacad.org.uk
