Governor Resumes
Meet the current members of our governing board > HERE
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Catherine Marke
CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
STANDARDS AND CURRICULUM COMMITTEE; AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE; REMUNERATION COMMITTEE; ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE
COMMUNITY GOVERNOR
I moved to Harpenden in 2005 and my neighbours said how fortunate we were to have such brilliant schools within walking distance. A few years later, I have certainly found this to be true! With a daughter in KS3 who is continuing to flourish as an independent and motivated learner, and a son to follow in a couple of years’ time, I am pleased to be able to contribute to the sustained success of Roundwood Park School as a parent governor. I am a passionate believer that access to excellent education is a great leveller in society as we should be aiming to get each student to fulfil their own potential.
I graduated from the University of Oxford with a Physics degree and then trained as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte. I left my role as a Senior Audit Manager after the birth of my eldest child, and currently work as a part time accountant in a local business.
During my 20s I was an LEA governor at a primary school in Buckinghamshire. When I moved to Harpenden and my eldest child was at Roundwood Primary, I was delighted in 2014 to be appointed as a co-opted governor at the school. During this time I have utilised skills in budgeting, analysing risks, communication and, most importantly, team-working and developing skills in safeguarding, recruitment, equal opportunities, and many more. I look forward to using these skills to continue to challenge and support Roundwood Park School in doing its best for all the children who are fortunate enough to be educated here.
In my spare time, I can often be found walking my dog or helping to run a local Brownie pack.
Eve Audis
STUDENTS, FAMILIES & COMMUNITY
PARENT GOVERNOR
My husband and I have lived in Harpenden for over 20 years and have two children at RPS. I have been so impressed by the school’s values and ethos, the house system in promoting teamwork and community spirit and the opportunities the school provides. I would highly recommend this fantastic school.
I started my career in marketing for a software company and then spent several years in corporate fundraising, working for the BHF and NSPCC managing partnerships with companies including Shredded Wheat, Hovis, Sky and Princes. I also worked for the Dixons Group in corporate affairs managing their charity relationships. After my youngest child started primary school, I volunteered at school and as a brownie leader; worked at a pre-school and later moved back into corporate fundraising for local charity the A-T Society.
I have a degree in Sociology and Social Policy from the University of Birmingham, a CAM Certificate in Communications, Advertising and Marketing, an Institute of Management Certificate in Management and a CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce.
Throughout my career I have always been passionate about child welfare and safeguarding issues and am keen to contribute to the school environment which is so crucial to children’s development and well-being. Completing the CACHE qualification provided me with a full understanding of the importance of educational settings to ensure every child thrives and fulfils their potential. I have an interest in and experience of the importance of safeguarding after completing safeguarding training for different roles. Whilst at the NSPCC I would work with new clients to look at areas of the business from a safeguarding point of view.
In my spare time I enjoy long walks in the countryside with our dog, baking, curling up with a good book and I am also learning to play golf.
Heather Bayne
VICE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS
STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE; AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE; ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE; REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
COMMUNITY GOVERNOR
I am a Chartered Librarian and worked for HCC for over 10 years as a Branch Librarian, Information Specialist and with the Schools Library Service. I subsequently retrained as a Garden Designer and have been running my own Garden Design and maintenance business since 2008.
I first became a Governor at Wood End School and stood down as a Community Governor there in Sept 2020. Having seen the important role a Governor can play in a school I became a Governor at RPS in 2016 and was Chair of Governors from September 2020 to October 2024. I am currently Vice Chair of Governors. Both my daughters have now left the school but continue to benefit from the skills, inspiration, and love of lifelong learning that their time at RPS has instilled.
I think it is important that a school supports all its students and encourages them to develop their learning by building on their individual skills and interests. I believe that the students’ wellbeing, and attainment, should be at the heart of all the decisions the school and Governors make. RPS leavers are amazing young people and as Governors we strive to ensure that all our students continue to benefit from access to a wide range of opportunities and experiences throughout their time at the school.
Joanna Betts
CHAIR OF STANDARDS & CURRICULUM COMMITTEE; REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
COMMUNITY GOVERNOR
My husband and I have been living in Harpenden since 2004. We have two boys and our eldest started Roundwood Park in September 2017. In my short time as a Roundwood parent, I have already been very impressed by the ethos of the school and the emphasis on building a supportive environment to ensure an excellent and rounded education for all children. I am therefore delighted to be able to help contribute to the success of the school in my role as a parent governor.
As a PhD scientist, I have worked for the past 20 years in roles of increasing responsibility in R&D for a global pharmaceutical company. In my current senior director role, I lead and develop strategy and projects that involve the application of cutting edge informatics, data analytics and experimental technologies to understand disease and develop new medicines. I have a particular passion for inspiring the next generation of scientists and participation in STEM subjects. My role also involves developing others, with a focus on promoting the behaviours required for a successful career in any field.
As a family, we enjoy travel, outdoor activities and sport and I have recently completed my first triathlon!
Laura Jones
STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
STAFF GOVERNOR
After graduating from University with a model making and special effects degree, I found myself travelling and working abroad as a private English as a Second Language teacher and a mural artist for the majority of my twenties. I trained as a teacher around 10 years ago and since then have worked both in support and main teaching roles. This has allowed me a great insight and experience into school life as a whole. I have been a Head of House at RPS for the last three years, a role which I thoroughly enjoy .House Music in particular is a highlight! In my spare time I occasionally teach on charity projects with prolific offenders, developing their communication, confidence and collaborative skills through the medium of art.
I find myself in a privileged position of also having my son attend RPS and to be a part of this brilliant community together. I am excited to be a part of the governing board, to work alongside colleagues to continue to make RPS the great place it is to both work and have our children attend.
Louise Cooper
STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY COMMITTEE, ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE
COMMUNITY GOVERNOR
I have been a parent governor at Wood End Primary School since October 2016 where I currently chair the Standards and Curriculum committee. I have been a Harpenden resident since 2009 and my son has recently started at Roundwood Park School. Before that he was at Wood End where my daughter is in KS2. It really appealed to me to use the skills I have developed through being on the governing board at Wood End at RPS now that I have a child at each school.
I have run my own yoga teaching business since 2017. I also offer consultancy on communications to a range of organisations. Before becoming self-employed, I ran the public relations team at John Lewis. Working for the retailer for nearly a decade, I specialised in crisis communications and issues management.
I am passionate about wellbeing, mental and physical health. To broaden my skills, I am currently training to become a practitioner of neuro-linguistic programming.
Laura Clark
RESOURCES COMMITTEE
PARENT GOVERNOR
Over the last 18 years my husband and I have lived in Harpenden and Redbourn. Our two children attended Redbourn Primary School, and have now both started their Roundwood Park journeys.
I have an Economics degree from Nottingham University and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young (EY), working in financial due diligence for 9 years. After having my children I pivoted from client facing work to become a Senior Operations Manager, initially supporting the Transaction Diligence team in EY. I then moved again within EY to become Operations Director of the Consulting business, almost 3 years ago. Given my background I hope to bring strong strategic, planning and analytical skills to the governing board.
I enjoy being involved in the local community. I organised many PTA events during my children’s time at Redbourn Primary and I am currently a Swim England timekeeper, volunteering regularly to support Harpenden Swimming Club. I’m excited to now also be able to contribute to the continued success of Roundwood Park School as a parent governor.
As a family we enjoy travel, outdoor activities, reading and movie nights.
Sophie Darby
STANDARDS & CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
STAFF GOVERNOR
After graduating university with a degree in computer science, I went straight into teaching, so I am currently in my first ECT year. Although relatively new to teaching, I am no stranger to RPS having attended the school myself. As an ECT and alumni, I believe I would provide a unique and different view which I hope would be helpful and insightful. I’m glad to be part of the governing board so I can help to continue to provide an up-to-date environment where students are able to thrive at school, much like the environment I was lucky enough to grow up in. In my spare time I enjoy playing the guitar, hiking and making silver jewellery.
Mike Desborough
RESOURCES COMMITTEE
STAFF GOVERNOR
I have lived in Hertfordshire for most of my life, going to school in Harpenden and keeping engaged with the local community through scouting and theatre. I have worked in the third sector as a project manager for a charity in East London after completing my degree in Politics and Business Management. I trained as a teacher and held various roles in schools in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire before joining Roundwood Park in January 2019. I am currently the Head of Business and Computing, as well as looking after many of the vocational subjects at Roundwood in my role as BTEC Quality Nominee.
I continue to be active in the Hertfordshire community. I am committed to entrepreneurship in schools and sit on the volunteer board of Hertfordshire Young Enterprise. I enjoy being outdoors and hold a mountain leader qualification. I am the training director for DofE in Hertfordshire and enjoy supporting DofE around the county. I am often found back stage at shows in the local area and occasionally appear for a comedy bit part!
I am committed to representing my colleague’s views and was pleased to be elected as a staff governor. I look forward to helping shape the direction of the school and continue the excellent work of the governing board.
Kevin Ford
CO-CHAIR OF THE RESOURCES COMMITTEE; AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE; ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE
COMMUNITY GOVERNOR
I am a Community Governor with a daughter who completed Sixth Form in 2017, also a son who spent 7 successful and enjoyable years at Roundwood Park School.
It is rewarding to see how the students mature during their time at the school and how this prepares them for further education, career and life generally. This experience led me to become a Governor, where I can contribute to the long (and short) term success of RPS.
I currently co-chair the Resources Committee which I find fulfilling as I can bring experience based upon my background as a Chartered Electrical Engineer working in Transport and Security businesses. My recent roles (Major Programmes delivery, Business P&L and Operations Director) enable me to effectively contribute to the school, specifically the Resources Committee which is responsible for finance, staffing and premises amongst other challenges.
As a family we have lived in Harpenden for over 25 years and I enjoy travelling to historically interesting locations throughout the world.
Mark Franklin
CO-CHAIR OF RESOURCES COMMITTEE; ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE; REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
PARENT GOVERNOR
I live in Harpenden with my wife and three children who all currently attend Roundwood Park School. My wife and I grew up in Harpenden and returned nearly 20 years ago to be back near to family.
I am a partner and director of a civil and structural engineering consultancy and have extensive experience in the delivery of engineering projects in both private and public sectors, with the focus of my work in the residential sector. More recently I have been acting as an expert witness in the fields of highways and drainage. I look forward to utilising this experience to assist the Resources Committee, and my fellow governors, in the successful on-going improvement works planned for the school.
I have previously volunteered in schools across Hemel Hempstead, working on their Work Based Learning schemes which provides genuine work experience to students who are following a more traditional route to joining the workforce. I hope that my experience can be put to good use at Roundwood Park to help our school prepare students for their next steps in life, whatever they may be.
I am excited and honoured to be elected as a parent governor and look forward to contributing to the continued success at Roundwood Park School.
Darryn Havenga
RESOURCES COMMITTEE
PARENT GOVERNOR
I moved to Harpenden from South Africa in 2017, along with my wife and four children.
My oldest son completed A-Levels at RPS and is currently at university, while the younger three are all at RPS.
I have a degree in Theology, at one point taking up a role in full time church ministry. As well as a post-graduate diploma in economics, I am involved with a local church in Harpenden called The Rock Church.
I am currently the Alumni Participation Director for the Global North, for a university in South Africa, and have been working for the university since 2009.
People and building relationships are a keen aspect of who I am. A school like RPS has incredible talent and resources. From experiencing the positive impact the school, its staff and other children have had on my own children, I am eager to ensure that it continues to thrive and benefit others and future families.
Alan Henshall
HEADTEACHER
I was appointed as the Headteacher of Roundwood Park School in September 2010 after serving the community in four other schools in Luton and Hertfordshire.
I am a graduate in Literature and History, as well as having a PGCE in English and History. I have worked in five different schools and I have spent most of my career in the classroom as an English teacher, latterly as a Head of English before taking up an assistant headship at Beaumont School in St Albans and a deputy headship at Simon Balle School in Hertford. As well as being the Headteacher of Roundwood Park, I am a Member of Links Multi-Academy Trust in St Albans, of Presdales Academy Trust in Ware and of Katherine Warington School in Harpenden. I am also the Vice Chair and Treasurer of Hertfordshire Secondary School Headteachers’ Association.
I am married with two sons and live in Bedfordshire, having originally come from Yorkshire.
Being the Headteacher of Roundwood Park is a privilege and a pleasure, unlike the trials and tribulations of being a Leeds United season ticket holder! Away from school, as well as football, I enjoy travelling, skiing, reading fiction, history and exploring historical sites. I am a member of the Imperial War Museum and enjoy visiting there whenever I can.
Andrew Mills
STANDARDS & CURRICULUM COMMITTEE; CHAIR OF AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE
COMMUNITY GOVERNOR
I live and work in Harpenden, where my wife and I moved 20 years ago. We have two daughters at RPS, and my wife is also a staff member. We’re very committed to the school and I will be proud to make a small contribution to its continued success as a parent governor.
My professional qualifications and skills are in finance, accounting and analysis. Hopefully this and my experience on charity boards will help the Resources Committee and Governing Board to manage the funding pressures facing every school. Overall, I see listening and asking questions as central to the governors’ role. So I look forward to learning from staff, parents and students!
Academically, my personal interests include languages, the humanities and economics. But I also have a lifelong interest in science and literature; love music and the outdoors; and see huge value in travel, expeditions and volunteering.
In short, I’m a great believer in lifelong learning and I hope I can help the school to prepare students for happy and fulfilling adult lives.
Sonja Stocks
STANDARDS & CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
PARENT GOVERNOR
I have lived in Harpenden since 2007 with my husband and 2 children, the youngest of which attends Roundwood Park.
I have worked in a number of fields, starting out with gaining a PhD in Chemistry, through years of consultancy in various fields in London, working in telecoms and ending up teaching secondary science at an academy in St Albans.
I feel I have a lot to give as a governor at RPS as I have a keen interest in both education and science, but also in neurodiversity and mental health.
Ruth Townsend
STANDARDS & CURRICULUM COMMITTEE
PARENT GOVERNOR
My family and I have lived in Harpenden for over a decade, and we have two children attending Roundwood.
I have always been very impressed with the community ethos of RPS, and the environment created for all of the students to thrive. Supporting our students and staff is of paramount importance and enabling every one of our students to be their best. I am very pleased to join the Governing Board to help contribute to RPS’s continued success.
I am a solicitor of 18 years’ experience and I currently work for a major national charity which helps to support people with housing problems. My work giving advice and advocacy support at court, involves identifying and resolving problems for often vulnerable people, in a highly stressed and time pressured environment. In my spare time, I help to run and organise a Harpenden Rainbow Unit and I assist with a Guide Unit. I help to organise local community events.
Sally Veitch
CHAIR OF STUDENTS, FAMILIES & COMMUNITY COMMITTEE; AUDIT & RISK COMMITTEE
MEMBER APPOINTED GOVERNOR
I am an experienced governor having served on the board at Wood End School for eight years. I have three boys who all attended Wood End. One is still at Wood End and another at Roundwood Park. My middle son is learning disabled and has autism. He attends St Luke’s SEND school.
My executive career was in finance. I worked as a Finance Director at Home Retail Group for many years but in the last five years I have developed a portfolio career as a non-executive director. This is essentially the commercial equivalent of a governor and I currently sit on the boards of two challenger banks and a building society. I am also the Chair of Settle, a local housing association with 10,000 homes in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire.
I have been very impressed with the wide range of opportunities my son has had so far at Roundwood Park and the positive, kind and engaging culture of the school. I hope that I can bring my governance experience to Roundwood Park in a way that is helpful to what I consider to be a great school.
As I have a son who wasn’t able to come to Roundwood Park, due to his needs (no fault of Roundwood), I do have an interest in how SEND works in schools. It’s pretty broken across the sector so I will be interested in how Roundwood Park tackle the many challenges of a growing SEND population.
Liz Hamilton
GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONAL TO THE GOVERNING BOARD
The role of the Governance Professional is crucial to the effective functioning of the Governing Board. I provide advice and guidance on governance, procedures and compliance to ensure the board works in accordance with the appropriate legal and regulatory framework and that it understands the potential consequences of noncompliance. I arrange, administer and minute each Governing Board and Committee meeting. I keep the board and committees focused on their core strategic priorities and governance obligations. I find the role very rewarding due to working with a team who are committed and dedicated to the education, wellbeing and future of the Roundwood Park students.
I live in Redbourn and my two sons both attended Roundwood Park. One is currently at university, whilst my eldest graduated in 2021. I am also Clerk to the Harpenden Secondary Schools Trust.
