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 over 40 years. We have four children and 6 grandchildren, all of whom went/go to school locally; 2 of which currently attend Ridgeway Academy.
Although now retired, I spent almost all my working life in banking and financial services at Abbey National/ Santander. I initially worked for about 14 years in Retail Branch Management and then moved into Regulatory Compliance Management, leading teams to help ensure banking and financial services rules and regulations were carried out.
Having always taken a keen interest in children’s education and hoping to help improve young people’s prospects for the world of work and continued education I joined the Board of Governors in 2004, having prior to that been a governor at Panshanger Primary School.
I am chair of the resources committee and have special responsibility for Health and Safety.
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 is 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.
I have special responsibility for behaviour and attendance.
Charlie Smith
I have been a governor since 2019. I have lived close to 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 helps 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 allows me to offer an alternative perspective in decision making discussions.
I have special responsibility for GDPR, e-safety and ICT.
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.
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.
I have special responsibility for child protection and online safety.
Paul McNally
Having retired from a lifetime working in education I am delighted to be a governor and 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.
I am the chair of the curriculum, achievement and wellbeing committee and I have special responsibility for Pupil Premium, Special educational needs and disability, and children looked after.
Sally Parrett
I was born in Cambridge but have lived and worked in Hertfordshire since 1974 in various roles in banking and financial services. For the last 12 years I have worked in education in Hertfordshire, retiring in 2018, having been employed in various roles across Key Stage 1-5 in Special Education Needs and Student Wellbeing with students, staff, parent/carers and outside agencies.
As well as my role in schools I acted as a Staff Governor and wanting to put all my experience to good use, I became a Governor at Ridgeway Academy. I believe in behaviour for learning and creating a safe, secure environment in school while supporting and developing the wellbeing of students.
I am married and have one son. I was educated in Hertfordshire having lived here since 1962. As a mature student I attended University of Hertfordshire gaining a degree in Education Studies with a specialism in Disabilities and Learning. I also attended the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education gaining further experience and qualification in Counselling Adolescents. More recently I returned to the University of Hertfordshire and successfully completed the Foundation course in Art Therapy. I hope Ridgeway Academy will benefit from all this training and experience.
I have special responsibility for Personal Development.
Paul Seymour
I’m Paul Seymour and I am the Vicar / Minister of Panshanger Church. I have been a governor of a number of schools and have served as safeguarding governor, Vice Chair of Governors and acting Chair of Governors in a few schools.
I am totally committed to the wellbeing of students and staff of Ridgeway Academy and to the education of our studens.
I really enjoy working with young people and their families and hope to meet you all in due course.
Liz Tillett
I have lived with my husband near Wheathampstead for nearly 30 years. After a degree in Latin and Romance Linguistics, I joined the Department of Employment and worked there until 2014, running Jobcentres and benefit offices and doing a range of policy work.
I am a keen (but not very good) skier and golfer. I speak French and Italian and a little Spanish and love foreign travel. I have always been interested in education and preparing young people for the world of work and am enjoying my involvement as a governor. I am vice chair of governors and chair the Human Resources Committee.
I have special responsibility for literacy.
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.
I have special responsibility for staff wellbeing.
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 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.
I have special responsibility for Numeracy.
