Robert Dale

Chair of Governors

Parent Governor

I am excited to be joining the Board of Governors as a Parent Governor. I have two boys currently at the school in Year 5 and Year 3, and a daughter who has just started in Reception. This means that I will be involved in the school as a parent for many years, so I have a strong desire to do my part in making our fabulous school the best it can be.

Outside of being a parent at the school, I grew up in Hemel Hempstead and after a few years away moved back in 2003. I work in London for a global IT outsourcing and consultancy organisation as an Enterprise Architect. This has given me a wide range of skills and experiences across commercial, financial, technical and managerial functions which I hope to be able to use in my role as a governor.

Emma Harris

Vice-Chair of Governors

Foundation Governor

As a Foundation Governor and alongside Rev Joe and Mrs Kennedy, I support and encourage links between our wonderful school and Holy Trinity Church.  I am glad to be able to act as a link between the church and school.

I am married to Jay and we have 2 sons, one who is now at JFK Secondary School having been at Potten End since Nursery,  and the other in Year 3.  I run my own Digital Consultancy business.

In addition to the role of Vice Chair, I sit on Resources Committee & support the school as Data Protection Officer and compliance with GDPR as well as with our website which is a critical tool allowing us to share information, updates and resources with existing school community and also with prospective parents considering the school.

I am committed to supporting our fabulous school and community and by in the role of Foundation Governor to supporting both the Head and the staff to continue to embed a love of learning and allow our children to "nurture, flourish and grow" whilst at our school.

Denise Kennedy

Head Teacher Governor

I am delighted to join the governing body as Head Teacher after having previously been the Principal at a local primary school for 5 years. I have worked on numerous governing bodies throughout the last 15 years, in leadership roles as well as a parent governor. I am really looking forward to working with the children, staff and families within the school community. I enjoy and thrive on the challenge that comes with every aspect of school life and am passionate about high quality education and each and every child reaching their full potential. Nothing but the best is good enough.

Marianne Barker

Associate Governor

I have been a Governor in the school for over 12 years. I am a mother of two children and a property lawyer. Within the Board of Governors, I sit on the Curriculum Committee and I am the Link Governor to the early year’s provision. As governors, it is our responsibility to consider the general direction of the school and how it should best develop. We work with the Head Teacher and are encouraged to question and challenge key decisions in order to ensure our standards live up to the expectation of the school’s community. I am proud of the school’s achievements and am committed to ensure the school and its children can reach their full potential

Mandy King

LEA Governor

I have thirty years’ experience in education as a primary school teacher, senior leader and education consultant.  I currently work as an independent consultant specialising in the learning and teaching of English in primary schools.  I also work as a moderator for Oxfordshire, visiting schools to support and verify assessment judgments at the end of Key Stages 1 and 2.  Having moved to Potten End with my extended family in 2013, I enjoy being part of such a warm and welcoming local community.  I believe passionately in the importance of raising and maintaining high standards in primary education and am delighted to join the Governing Body to support Potten End CE Primary School.

Pam Kirk

Co-Opted Governor

After a lifetime of working in both Human Resources and latterly as Cabin Crew for British Airways , I now have time to contribute to the community. The role of school governor will hopefully allow me to have a positive influence, at both a strategic and ground level, on the performance of the school, for the benefit of the children. I am keen to enter a new phase in my personal development, and I am looking for opportunities to learn and immerse myself in this new, and post Covid, very challenging area. I am a sociable person and give my best when working with others in a team. Being on the Board of Governors will offer a chance to meet experts from a new discipline, working and learning from them. I would like to make a difference today to children at primary school stage, using my own life experience.

Valerie Gunn

Co-Opted Governor

I have lived in the village for over 40 years and my daughters were both at the school.  I was chairman of the Friends of the School for a number of years, and more recently I have helped with reading and maths on a voluntary basis.

My early career was as a secondary Maths teacher, but in later years my husband and I ran a financial advice company in Berkhamsted.   At various stages in my life I have served as a volunteer on the management committees of the original Potten End Playgroup, the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home, the Abbeyfield House in Potten End, the Village Hall and the Parish Council.  I have obviously seen huge changes in our school over the years, and I hope that I can bring experience and enthusiasm to support it in the future.

Steve Cutler

Parent Governor

I’m a parent governor and a member of the resource committee. I have been able to volunteer in class, listen to children read and help on school trips. 

I’m married to Louise and my youngest daughter is currently in year 4. My eldest moved up to secondary school in 2020 after starting in Nursery. 

I have worked in IT support and installation for 17 years, this included fortune 500 company’s government and the NHS. I’m currently caring for my family. 

Jack Perkins

Parent Governor

I am pleased to be joining the governing body as a parent governor. I have two children at Potten End- a son in year 4 and a daughter in Reception. 

My background is in IT, I have worked for Hertfordshire Constabulary for the last 14 years currently as a Senior IT Analyst supporting the policing IT estates of Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. We support operational and non-operational policing with hundreds of computing tools/applications to help with prevention and safeguarding within the three counties. Recently I was involved in the development of a Hertfordshire led notification process between the Police safeguarding teams and Schools which is now being implemented around the country.

I am keen to support the ongoing development of our wonderful school and use my experiences to play an active role within the governing board.

Jane Briffett

Co-Opted Governor

My name is Jane Briffett and I live in Fields End. I have lived in this area for over 30 years and my two grandsons attend the school. I am now retired, and able to spend more time on my favourite hobbies including sewing, knitting, and crochet. During my working life I was the Bursar/ Finance Manager for several Hertfordshire schools, and also worked  within the social/ charity sector.

I am hoping that this previous experience will allow me to support the community of the school in providing the best education for the pupils. Enabling them to set off on their journey of life, having developed a love of learning, a sense of their own value, and an awareness of the wellbeing of themselves and those around them. Enabling them to reach their full potential in their lives ahead.

Joanne Moore

Parent Governor

I have a sincere interest in supporting the school to nurture, grow and flourish and would love the opportunity to contribute towards this by becoming a Parent Governor. I have two sons - one currently in Year 1, and one due to join in the future.

I am a Supply Chain Director with years of commercial and strategic leadership experience which has given me strong communication, financial and organisational skills. I have lived in Hemel Hempstead with my husband for 15 years.

Nadia Richman

Parent Governor

I am thrilled to be joining the governor's board, and honoured to feel I can support this wonderful school! I have a six year old boy in Year 1, and a 1.5 year old who I hope will join in years to come so I am heavily invested in supporting the growth of the school. My working background includes 14 years in academia as an environmental research scientist at London Zoo and University College London, and 15 years working as a private biology tutor. At UCL, I'm an active member of the Neurodivergent Staff Network and take an active interest in understanding neurodivergence, and how to design teaching and working environments that are truly inclusive and respect the differences in the way we all work. I am also a gardener and trainee garden designer and have an active interest in the benefits to academic performance and wellbeing from outdoor education.