List of Governors
Welcome to the Governors’ section of the Ridgeway Academy website which we hope you will find interesting and informative.
This section gives a broad outline of the role of the Governors, how we go about fulfilling our responsibilities and who we are.
Chair of Governors
Anne Garland
CHAIR TO ALL GOVERNORS
I have been a school governor since 2009, initially at a local primary school and now at Ridgeway Academy as well as a school in St Albans which my two daughter attended.
My background is working in Human Resources and after graduating from Loughborough University I worked for London Underground for 30 years as part of their HR team as well as a short spell as an Operational Manager.
I was involved with school life when my daughters were at school including active involvement with the PTA and I became a governor after leaving work. Since becoming a school governor I have been involved in all committees and am currently chair of governors at Ridgeway.
I now do occasional work as an exam invigilator and I enjoy outdoor activities such as walking, skiing and cycling.
Ian Burt
My wife and I have lived in WGC for almost 40 years and we have four children. All went to school locally but only our youngest daughter, attended Sir Frederic Osborn. She joined the School in 2003 and I became involved as a governor a year later.
I spent almost all of my working life in banking and financial services, at Abbey National/Santander, before taking early retirement. I initially worked in conventional banking for about 14 years as a Branch Manager, but after a short period managing companywide projects, I moved on to become Regulatory Compliance Manager. There I led and managed teams of compliance auditors, in ensuring that the Bank and banking staff, throughout the UK complied with banking and financial services rules and regulations. Since joining the governing body, I have chaired the Estates Committee and am currently serving as the chair of the Resources Committee. Previously I was a parent governor at Panshanger Primary School and served 7 years, as a Governor/Chair of Governors.
David Clarke
I have over 27 years’ experience in the civil service and not for profit sector, specialising in transformation of services within the local community. This has given me an understanding of the challenges in delivering genuine change, and the importance of really effective governance.
I am an advocate of the whole school approach, and the importance of balancing academic achievement and progress and supporting every child to achieve the most that they can, without losing sight of their emotional wellbeing and the general health of the school.
My own children have attended a school in need of improvement so I have an understanding of the challenges faced from the parental perspective but also the progress that can be made.
As a governor my initial role will be on Curriculum, Achievement and Wellbeing Committee and I look forward to being part of the Ridgeway’s development and success over the next few years.
Charlie Smith
I am a new school governor, joining in February 2019. I have lived close to The Ridgeway Academy for the majority of my life and see this as an excellent opportunity to contribute to the local community.
I have a degree in Economics from the University of Leeds and am a Chartered Accountant currently working as an Audit Manager for a large accountancy firm. I believe my professional skillset, including data analysis, financial awareness and a keen interest in education will help me to fulfil my role as governor.
I am passionate about helping individuals fulfil their potential and am keen to be part of the transitional journey with Ridgeway. Having left school in 2012, I feel my relatively recent experience of being a student will allow me to offer an alternative perspective in decision making discussions.
Becky Sharp
I have lived in Welwyn Garden all my life. I have 3 children, the eldest of which is at Ridgeway Academy.
I am currently completing a law degree as a ‘mature’ student, so I am still in education myself. In what little spare time I have I enjoy running with my dog, and boxing classes.
When I visited the school during an open evening I was really struck by the atmosphere. The students were happy and seemed proud to show parents around. I am keen and excited to play a part in the school and see it flourish. I want to see the students grow in all aspects of school life, not just academic.
Rowena Grace
I have a child at the school and am a parent governor.
I have been a governor elsewhere and have the skills to be an effective school governor. I’m a senior manager / project worker for NHS/Social care in Mental Health and have worked in children’s services. I have experience of managing teams and budgets. Having loved ones attending Ridgeway motivates me to support improvements. I will be an effective critical friend promoting good quality education, fulfilled learning experience, best value, and good health and safety for all the children at Ridgeway.
Anne Lyons
I retired from full-time teaching at Sandringham School where I was Head of Modern Languages in 2017 and became a governor here the following year. I wanted to use my experience of working in education to support The Ridgeway as it joined a wider group of schools working together under the Alban Academies Trust. My wider role is as link governor for Child Protection.
As well as teaching in the UK, I have experience of living and working in Jamaica, Zimbabwe and The Gambia and on returning to the UK, set up a link with a school in The Gambia. For ten years this link has enabled staff and students from each school to visit the partner school and learn from each other. I think it is vital that schools prepare students for a global economy and to be aware of different lives and cultures outside of our own.
I have four children who have attended local schools and so am aware of the parents’ role in supporting their children’s education. I was a teacher governor at Sandringham for four years and am currently a trustee of a charity which houses and cares for vulnerable adults with learning needs. This has given me an awareness of the challenges faced by institutions and the need for good governance.
I look forward to being part of The Ridgeway’s development and success over the next few years.
Paul McNally
Two years ago, having previously retired from a lifetime working in education I was delighted to become a governor to be part of a team dedicated to ensuring the best possible education for all the students at Ridgeway Academy
I have worked across a range of secondary schools finishing as a headteacher. I also worked on numerous local, national and international committees within the education sphere.
I have previously served on three governing bodies; now in retirement and as a governor I attend Ridgeway Academy events and chair the curriculum, assessment and welfare committee.
I now work part-time within the NHS on a social prescribing project; work for AQA; teach Latin and pursue long neglected hobbies and travel.
Sally Parrett
I retired from being employed in education in 2018.
I am a great believer in behaviour for learning and creating a safe, secure atmosphere in school for this to take place.
I have a degree in Education Studies with a specialism in Special Education Needs.
While employed in school I acted as a Staff Governor.
I was brought up and educated in Hertfordshire. I have been married for 40 years and have one son.
Liz Tillett
I was born and brought up in London and have lived with my husband near Wheathampstead for over 20 years. After graduating from Birmingham University with a degree in Latin and Romance Linguistics, I joined the Department of Employment and worked there and in its successor departments for 38 years. I retired as a senior civil servant from the Department for Work and Pensions in 2014. In my various jobs in the civil service I have run Jobcentres and Benefit Offices and done regional, national and international policy work.
I am a keen skier and golfer and am gradually improving in both. I also volunteer for a helpline in the county and was a trustee of a small national disability charity for several years. I speak French and Italian and a little Spanish. I enjoy travel and reading. I have always been interested in education and preparing young people for the world of work and look forward to contributing to the development of the school in the future. I have special responsibility for literacy and chair the school’s Human Resources Committee.
Nicola Picariello
I am a staff Governor at Ridgeway Academy, and have worked at the school since 2017, and as a Governor since 2020.
I am currently subject leader for History, having studied for my degree at the University of Nottingham straight from school. Whilst I kept my passion for History, I then worked in financial services and HR for 20 years before being lucky enough to be made redundant so I could retrain as a teacher!
I completed my training at Verulam school with the Alban Teaching Federation and came to Ridgeway Academy as an NQT.
I live in St Albans, have a son in his first year at Leeds Beckett University and two dogs who need lots of walks!
Julie Williams
I have lived in St Albans for over 20 years with my husband, 18 and 21 year old son and daughter and two dogs (including a lock down puppy). I was chair of the PTA at Verulam School in St Albans for 4 years until my son completed his A levels this year. I found involvement with the school extremely rewarding and am delighted to have the opportunity to act as a governor on the HR committee at Ridgeway Academy.
For the past 10 years I have been self employed as a business/executive coach, leadership skills trainer and facilitator. Prior to this I worked for 25 years at Sainsbury’s and BP in a variety of roles including Graduate Recruitment, Procurement, Marketing, Project Management, Leadership Development, Change Management and Communications. This is an exciting and challenging time for Ridgeway Academy and I am looking forward to using my skills and experience to support the school in achieving its goals.
In my spare time I am a Shout crisis text line volunteer and enjoy long walks with the dogs, finally learning how to cook and spending time with friends and family.
Catherine Woodwark
I worked as a doctor in the NHS for many years before following a career in palliative medicine and moving to work in a local charitably funded hospice. I have now retired from clinical practice but continue to have an active interest and a part-time research role.
I worked as a doctor in the NHS for many years before following a career in palliative medicine and moving to work in a local charitably funded hospice. I have now retired from clinical practice but continue to have an active interest and a part-time research role.
I have lived in St Albans for over 30 years and my 4 daughters all went to local schools.
I joined the board of governors at Ridgeway Academy as I believe passionately in the importance of education and the opportunities it brings and that all children are entitled to a good education.
David McNally
As a father of three young children, education in my community is more important to me than ever before and I’m keen to contribute to the vibrancy of Ridgeway Academy.
I’ve spent the last 18 years in corporate and investment banking, where I have developed a track record for leading high-quality teams in business management and product development. I have extensive experience in strategic planning, finance and corporate governance, most recently as a non-exec of a Silicon Valley tech company. I’d welcome the opportunity to support the staff, students and governing body of Ridgeway Academy and hope that my experience in industry and my enthusiasm and collaborative approach will be a useful addition to the team.
I was born and raised in St Albans, and am the son of a father who has spent his lifetime in education. I was educated at Cambridge, reading Law, went on to qualify as a Barrister before moving into finance. I am also a keen, (if not a little rusty!) musician.
