By John Baron
New headteacher Jenny Pashley is aiming to make Farsley’s historic mill school a beacon for high standards in the community as it ushers in a new era.
Farsley Westroyd Primary School and Nursery is over 150 years old and has taught famous pupils such as Farsley cricketer Ray Illingworth – but the school is now looking to the future with an entirely new leadership team
Miss Pashley joined the school in the summer after previously occupying a senior leadership role at Lawns Park Primary in Farnley, and new assistants will be joining her in January.
“The school historically was attached to the Hainsworth mill,” said Miss Pashley. “That is what attracted me here, it’s a big part of Farsley’s history. It’s such a beaurtuful old school building – it’s different, quirky and it stands out. I came here for my interview and as soon as I got through the door I thought ‘I want to work at this school’!
“Our core purpose is to promote the best interests of our children, developing the whole child. I want children to jump out of bed every day and be keen to learn, and when they come home at the end of the day they are keen to say what they have done that day. I want them to love learning here.
“You only live once and I want this school to make a difference to young people every single day. I strongly believe there should be no limits, no excuses and no barriers to what a child can achieve.”
Miss Pashley, who has been in teaching for 27 years, lovingly refers to the school as a ‘purple sheep’ based on its mill heritage – the school badge has a sheep on it – and due to the historic school building being quirky, ‘like a purple sheep’.
“It’s lovely to lead a school with such creative, excellent and positive practitioners, with pupils who are so well-mannered,” she added.
“There’s nowhere quite like Farsley Westroyd.”
At its most recent Ofsted report in 2019, inspectors said the school was rated as ‘good’.
I am sure Jenny Pashley will be a great headteacher.