Governing Body

If you would like to contact any of the school governors please contact the school.

Merry John

Headteacher

It is a privilege to lead Stanborough from September 2018. I have an unshakable belief in every student, each with their own gifts, talents, challenges and aspirations. My team share an educational philosophy which promotes the highest expectations and consistent pastoral care. Our core aim is to nurture enquiring minds and to inspire our youngsters to pursue their dreams, leaving our school ready to excel in a future which has limitless possibilities.

I am a Mathematics graduate from Lancaster University and have 23 years’ experience working in schools. I have been educated in three countries; a secondary school experience in Nigeria, followed by A-Levels in India and a Mathematics degree in the UK. My educational experience in three countries has enabled me to appreciate various cultures and backgrounds but has also provided me with an insight into the positive differences in the education system in these countries. My principles, values and ethos as an educational leader have been shaped by these experiences.

I am a mother of three children, all of secondary school age and have been happily married for nearly 20 years. In my spare time, I enjoy long distance running and have taken part in a number of competitive races.

Neil Hounsom

Chair of Governors, Finance and Resources Committee

Neil Hounsom holds the role of Chair of Governors and also sits on the finance and resources committee. Neil began as a parent governor 10 years ago.

Peter Miles

Chair of Finance and Resources

Peter Miles has been a governor at Stanborough for the past 24 years. Peter started his governor role as a parent governor and is now a community governor and the chair of the finance and resources committee.

Michelle Ridgeon

Staff Governor – Teaching, Standards and Achievements Committee

I have worked at Stanborough School for the past 8 years as an English Teacher and have been a Year Leader for the past 4 and a half years.

I am passionate about work ethic, attainment interventions, striving for consistency and implementing effective behaviour management strategies. I strive to build a good rapport with all students, embodying the principles of mutual respect. I welcome the opportunity to be more involved in the school through this role of staff governor.

Sarah Halliday

Chair of Standards and Achievements Committee

I am currently working as Information Collections Consultant at the University of Hertfordshire – in this role I manage the university library’s electronic information resources.

As the parent of three children who are past, present and future Stanborough students, I have a long-standing, continuing commitment to the school. I am passionate about helping young people reach their full potential, both through working at the University of Hertfordshire, and volunteering locally as a Girl Guiding leader for many years, and am keen to offer my commitment, enthusiasm and support to the Stanborough School community.

Andy Beale

Vice Chair of Full Governing Body, Chair of Personnel Committee

I work for HM Government in IT. I have over 20 years experience in technology. Before joining HM Government I was the Technology Director for the Guardian.

I became a parent governor to offer some support and contribution to Stanborough as two of my children have now joined the school.

Karen Heath

Staff Governor (Teaching), Standards and Achievements

I’m a Staff Governor (Teaching), I sit on the Standards & Achievements Committee and I teach History.

Having worked at Stanborough since 2015 I have an active interest in the school’s development and well-being of all students. I am a dedicated professional, who has worked in a variety of roles at previous schools. I am looking forward to serving the community in which I live and also representing the staff with whom I work.

Emma Perrott

Personnel Committee, Mental Health Governor

After leaving Warwick University with a degree in English Literature I worked in London for a number of blue chip companies including Ernst & Young and McKinsey. During this time I worked in internal communications, practice management and event organisation which included planning several large conferences around Europe.

In 2004 I took on a role at HBOS where I worked as a Senior Marketing Manager and I was involved in creating and implementing a number of high profile advertising campaigns. I took some time out after maternity leave and then started up my own marketing, communications and copywriting consultancy which I run from home.

My daughter started school in Year 7 this year and I am keen to help and support the school community as it grows and develops. These are exciting times for Stanborough School and it is a great time to get involved. As a daughter of a teacher I have always had a strong interest in the power of education and I have seen the positive effect that a fantastic education can have on both the individual and the community as a whole.

Julie Adams

Staff Governor (Support Staff), Standards and Achievements

I have been working at Stanborough for sixteen years as an HLTA. During this time I have also held the roles of Form Tutor Deputy Year Leader and Associate Year Leader. My current role includes Life Skills Leader and Careers and more recently part time Deputy Year Leader to Year 7. I am fully committed to the school and I have an active interest in the school’s development and the education and wellbeing of the students. I am looking forward to representing the staff with whom I work.

Melanie Western

Finance and Resources Committee

My background is in corporate sales. In particular putting sales pitches and presentations together during formal bids and tender processes. I have worked in the IT industry for 10 years and the hospitality industry for the past four, I am currently in a senior sales effectiveness role for a global business travel agency. I’m tasked with leading the strategies for new business campaigns and coaching sales managers from many different countries in Europe through the pre-sales and negotiation stages of a campaign. My skills and experience lend themselves to being an ambassador for the school and I am keen to share my experiences in business and putting together a winning pitch.

My son has just started in Year 7 and being our eldest child, secondary school is all new to us! It’s felt like a big leap so far, although he has settled well and had a very positive experience. To help him make the most of his time at Stanborough and to get the very best from all the wonderful opportunities coming his way, I felt it important to become part of the school and gain further insight into the secondary school process.

I hope to be able to drive more improvements through this already well-established school and bring an even greater positive experience to Stanborough students and teachers.

Guya Persaud

Standards and Achievement Committee

I have recently retired after 36 years in the teaching profession having served as a senior leader for 20 years performing duties as a deputy and a head teacher.

Both my sons attended Stanborough School and my wife also worked here. I am passionate about education and would welcome the opportunity to use my experiences and knowledge in supporting the Headteacher and all members of the Stanborough family in realising their vision of becoming outstanding.

Jonathan Hickey

Finance and Resources Committee

After obtaining an MSci & PhD in Chemistry from Cambridge University I founded a business in China prior to working as a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Co.

This provided a foundation for the last 10+ years of my career where I have held commercial, strategy and product leadership roles in technology companies in the US and UK. These include eBay, Elsevier and most recently Moonpig.

I see secondary school as having been the most important part of my education. So as a parent governor I want to contribute my experience to support the school and staff delivering the best possible education for all the students at Stanborough.

Jane Cranham

Parent Governor, Standards and Achievements Committee

I have worked in education for all of my career, first as a secondary English teacher and then for a local authority, starting in advisory work and gathering a range of education related responsibilities. Over the years I have had the opportunity to work alongside headteachers and school leaders from all phases and have seen first-hand the difference they have made to opportunities and outcomes for the young people in their care.

I fully support the ambition of Stanborough School’s leadership. I have been a Stanborough parent for over 6 years and I believe it is an exciting time to join the governing body and to help to contribute to the school’s future.

Geoff Mossman

Community Governor

I have worked at a Bank for over 30 years – Over the last 7 years I have been involved in Digital Banking, and 1 am a changed professional with a passion for Technology and how we interact with the world.

My daughter recently joined the school, and I am hoping my son will join in 3 years’ time! As a senior manager within a large organisation, I want to share the best practice with the school to help it develop into a world class education centre.

Lax Hirani

Community Governor, Personnel Committee

When I was growing up, my ambition in life was to become a Horticultural Engineer. It didn’t quite pan out that way, instead I am a Software Development Consultant. It all changed for me during secondary school in a life changing moment.

My elder daughter attends Stanborough and my second daughter is looking forward to joining next year. As a parent, we have been to visit and have compared various local secondary schools as we have been considering options for them. Stanborough has the potential to provide all the options we are looking for and that potential is what persuaded us to choose Stanborough and I decided, given the opportunity, I’d like to be part of that team, that strives to help Stanborough continuously improve. I have no doubt it will become one of the best local schools in the coming years. I look forward to serving at Stanborough and making a positive difference to the staff and students, to help get the best out of every student, both academically and non-academically, whilst always keeping in mind and supporting them through some of the challenges they might be going through at home.

Adam Wadley

Finance and Resources Committee

I am a qualified chartered accountant and have previously worked in various finance, strategy and corporate development roles in the retail and payments industries.

I currently split my time between working as part-time Finance Director for a sports inclusion charity called Access Sport and my own independent consultancy business.

As the husband of a teacher and the father of three children, I constantly see the powerful impact that education can have. I am delighted to be able to make whatever contribution I can to support the staff in their mission to provide the best possible education for every student at the school.