Mirfield College
Meet the Team
Kate Walker
Assistant Principal – Head of College
Assistant Principal – Head of College
I joined Mirfield College in January 2018 and I have been teaching now for over 15 years. I am a teacher of Law and Criminology as well as Assistant Principal – Head of College.
I graduated from the University of Sheffield with a BA in Criminology and Social Policy. I worked for the Crown Prosecution Service before completing my PGCE at York St John University. I have a lot of experience in safeguarding and pastoral support and one of the most important aspects of my job is ensuring that students are well prepared for future progression into higher education, employment, or training.
Catherine Hinchcliffe
Senior Learning Mentor & UCAS Co-Ordinator
I have worked at Mirfield Free Grammar for 18 years and at Mirfield College for 15 of those years. My role is Senior Learning Mentor and I am based in the Silent Study Area where I support students with their learning and co-ordinate their directed study time. In addition, I am the UCAS Co-ordinator in College and I co-ordinate and manage the university application process which starts in Year 12 through to the end of Year 13 and sometimes beyond. To support this role, I am qualified careers advisor and achieved my Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance Development in 2016.
Outside of College, I am a big sports fan especially rugby league and Formula 1 and I am trustee of the Batley Sporting Foundation which aims to unite communities through sport.
Denise Rathmell
Safeguarding officer and Year Lead
I joined Mirfield College in September 2023 as Safeguarding Officer and Year Lead and have really enjoyed being part of the college team. I work alongside my colleagues to support our students along their sixth form journey, prioritising their wellbeing and welfare.
Vicky Furniss
College Character Lead
I joined Mirfield College in September 2004 as Head of Media and as a sixth form tutor. Since then, I have taught on a range of Level 2 and 3 Courses including GCSE, A Level and BTEC Media Studies, English, History, the Progression Module and Level 3 EPQ. During my time at Mirfield College I have also worked in wider roles such as BTEC co-ordinator and co-ordinator for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
Prior to joining Mirfield College I worked in China for 2 years teaching English in a college environment, which sparked my initial passion for education. I then completed a PGCE in post-16 education before teaching in a Sixth Form college in Manchester for 3 years.
I graduated from Stirling University with a BA Hons in Media Studies and later went on to complete a MA in Media and Cultural Studies and a Masters diploma in Humanities with the Open University.
My passion has always been for developing students both pastorally as well as academically. I strongly believe in the importance of developing the whole student through wider opportunities such as trips, visiting speakers, extra-curricular activities and teamwork opportunities. As Character Lead my job is to help to develop excellent character traits in our students and enable them to progress successfully into their chosen future progression routes as fully rounded young adults.