NCP Advisory Group
Anthony Dee
Chair of the NCP Advisory Group and Director
For most of my career I have worked as a manager for bus and tourist companies. Since 2016 I am now ‘sort of’ retired but work as a part-time driver for Poppletons’ Coaches in Pontefract.
I am a member of the School Performance Review Board at Larks Hill Junior and Infants School in Pontefract. I am chairman of the Carleton High School Parent, Teacher and Friends Association as well as chairman of the Wakefield Association of School Governors. I also serve on the Land Use and Transportation Committee of Pontefract Civic Society.
My two daughters attended New College, Pontefract and I am pleased to be given the opportunity to repay my gratitude for their education by giving my services to the College.
Linda Maxwell-Smart
Vice Chair of NCP Advisory Group
I am currently a retiree. During the last academic year I worked on a temporary, part-time basis at John Leggott sixth form college as a Consultant. Prior to that, I worked at New College Pontefract for 24 years, performing a number of management roles, including Senior Manager Teaching, Learning & Assessment, Senior Manager Data, Standards, Quality & Implementation, Director of Teaching & Learning, Faculty Manager & Head of English/Media Studies.
I began my teaching career in Manchester, where I worked in challenging high schools.
In the 1980s I was a governor in a high school in Stockport.
I have two sons who both achieved excellent results at NEW College and went on to become successful research scientists. I spend my leisure hours meeting my many friends for lunch, visiting the cinema & the theatre, shopping and walking around museums and stately homes.
Vicky Marks (Ex Officio)
Principal NCP
I am the recently appointed Acting Principal at New College Pontefract and I have Trust responsibility for Data, therefore line managing the MIS manager as well as some members of the senior leadership team and Heads of School. I started my teaching career in 1993 in the independent sector, teaching Chemistry to 11-18 year-olds. In 1998 I became Head of Lower School and was responsible for transition and pastoral care for these students. In 2001 after having my second child I took on the role of SENDCo and after a couple of years we relocated the family to Yorkshire, nearer to my family, and I taught in York. From 2006 I took a break from teaching due to my third child being profoundly deaf. After keeping myself busy with a number of projects, I returned to teaching and I started at New College Pontefract in 2013 in the Chemistry department. I have been on the senior team since 2016 with responsibility for data and curriculum – a role that has kept me busy and is constantly changing. I have also line managed the SENDCo and Heads of School in Maths & Science.
Karen Sykes
Safeguarding SEND Lead
Karen is a Chartered member of the CIPD with over 30 years’ experience in Human Resources and Organisational Development; her mission is to ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive in their workplace and believes post-16 education is key to this. She has held a number of senior Human Resources positions across the public sector including with Leeds Education Authority, the National Probation Service and is currently Executive Director HR & OD at Wakefield College.
Karen has also held a range of voluntary and elected roles including Chair of Governors at Stanley Peter’s C of E Primary School between September 2011 and September 2015 and she is currently a member of the Independent Remuneration Panel for members at WDMC.
Outside work her interests centre around her family, she enjoys walking, cycling and anything outdoors!
Susannah Lewis
I have worked within administration in the Health Care sector in various large NHS Hospitals in the North and South of England. Having trained later to become a Technology Teacher I have worked predominantly in one institution (Minsthorpe Community College) since qualifying where I have assumed a variety of roles ranging from full time Textiles Teacher, Assistant Head of Year, Head of Year, Head of Design & Technology and am now currently part of the college Senior Leadership Team as Assistant Principal for Post 16 Achievement and Progression.
I live in Pontefract with my husband and two children, one of whom currently attends PNC and one who will be joining the college next year (hopefully). I particularly enjoy creative pursuits such as making textile products, re-purposing furniture and textiles and decorating, and am partial to good food, white wine and the company of good friends in my spare time.
Mark Jefferies
I am most enthused by: development projects, resources and change management. I feel I am most valuable when 4 dimensional thinking is required. If you want 5 options then I can assist, and I am not offended when someone else’s 6th idea wins the day – I will fully support it.
For 5 years I worked for a PLC and gained an understanding of collaborative working and the importance of gathering support for a decision. In 1997 I started my own business and enjoyed the bureaucracy free life of a small organisation. I feel I can share the benefits from both sides of the divide.
For 21 years I have enjoyed supporting my children through sport and education – in that order. Our daughter Zoe is currently studying at Loughborough (Masters in Marketing), is a tennis coach and plays hockey to a high level. Our son Max (who joined NCP this September) is a high level tennis player and loves football.
I have been a Rotarian for 16 years and love getting involved at the ideas, financing and delivery stage of a project.
I have been a Governor at an infant school in South Kirkby for almost 3 years but I am no educationalist. However, I am supportive and like to help all children live a good life.
I am an innovator and may be most helpful on projects, project appraisal, PR, resources and HR. I was (with embarrassment) recently awarded Rotarian of the Year in our Club and I like to think it was because of my charity work. As I “lose” my parental responsibilities I hope to give more time and resource to charitable work. Especially Home Start. A charity my wife and I enjoy supporting in many ways.