Monk's Walk School is a convertor academy. The trustees are directors of the company and are responsible for setting and maintaining the ethos and strategic direction of the school. In so doing they act as critical friends of the school, enabling the school to provide each and every student with the opportunity to achieve their full potential within a safe and secure environment, ultimately to support the achievement of ‘Excellence for All’.
The Trustees work in partnership with the Headteacher and other school staff to promote high standards of educational achievement at the school. They help decide how the school should develop in order to maintain and improve its standards of education, and approve the broad policies, plans and procedures which will support that development.
Monk’s Walk School Trustees meet regularly and are responsible for liaising with senior members of staff and reporting back to the Board of Trustees on specific areas of the school and education. Each Trustee is linked to a member of staff or department to help build a relationship with school personnel and gain knowledge of how the school works.
Each year the Board of Trustees publish an annual report.
We work hard to ensure that the decisions made create the most favourable conditions:
- For learning to flourish
- To ensure the good use of money
- For a safe secure and pleasant environment to learn / work in
- To promote sound organisation
- To recruit and retain excellent staff
- To adopt and implement policies which are fair, and which encourage good student behaviour, motivate staff and students, and for everyone to achieve their potential.
To contact the Trustee Team, please write to the Head of Trustees, Carole Pomfret, at the school address.
Academy Trust Governance Arrangements
To find out more about the role of Governors (Trustees):
Trustee Team
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Carole Pomfret - Chair of the Board of Trustees After gaining a degree in Physics from Oxford, I qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG before joining Schroders. I have nearly 20 years’ experience of Private Client Investment Management, both as Director at Schroders and then as a Consultant at Rathbones. I am a Trustee of PDSA, have served on their Audit and Risk Committee but am now the current Chair of the Finance Committee and the nominated Safeguarding Trustee. I am also Vice-Chair of Governors at St Albans School, and Chair of its Finance Committee I love sport, and have been a qualified hockey umpire. I am proud to have completed 3 marathons in the last 10 years although I don't think I'll be doing any more! |
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Zoe Wright - Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees I originally joined as a parent trustee to understand my daughter’s secondary education as it seemed so different from my own - for the better! We have evolved through foundation trust to academy during my time and the education landscape seems ever changing, providing new opportunities and challenges! However, I thoroughly enjoy being part of the school’s work, which is striving to provide outstanding education and pastoral care in a truly comprehensive school. My spare time is spent involved with the work of the Salvation Army. |
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Bev Bevan I have a Business and Project Management degree from Middlesex University and have worked in the financial industry in London for firms such as Morgan Stanley. My career has given me more than 20 years' experience of project management. I have highly developed leadership and motivational skills, demonstrating ability in delivering and implementing strategic projects. In my spare time I am a senior coach for high board and spring board diving at the Beaumont Diving Academy in Hatfield. |
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Kate Smith I have been the headteacher at Monk’s Walk since September 2011. A great privilege. I have been a trustee (governor) before when headteacher of another school but also as a volunteer governor at my local primary school. |
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Richard Tucker My entire career has been in the publishing and bookselling industry mainly as Sales Director of two leading publishers. I was also Retail Operations Director of a chain of Booksellers which included “the best Bookshop in the world” Hatchards in Piccadilly. During that time I have been privileged to have worked alongside some of the leading authors, statesmen, politicians, actors, comedians, musicians, sportsmen and sportswomen of our time. For the past ten years I have run my own publishing consultancy business. Monks Walk has been a part of my life for over two decades and all three of my children were educated there. I have a natural affinity with the library and sport having been involved with sports clubs in the area since my children were young. |
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Maureen Hill - Chair of Resources Risk and Audit Committee I recently retired after 25 years at Watford Grammar School for Boys where I taught English and was an SLT member for 15 years, with experience of a wide range of responsibilities, including Curriculum and Staff Development. I also have experience as an Ofsted Inspector, a secondment to Hertfordshire LEA, been a teacher governor and completed a second Masters degree in 2011 as part of my commitment to keep up-to-date with educational practice. I have also written and published a number of illustrated non-fiction books, mostly with a twentieth century history focus. |
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Samantha Lewis I moved to Welwyn 6 years ago and have a daughter that attends Monk's Walk. I have much experience of childhood development (through training and work) including training as a Psychodynamic Counsellor. My most recent role involved supporting children at risk of exclusion by working with the systems around the child such as the school and parents/carers. This year I began a Doctorate in Educational Psychology in which I hope to positively contribute to the lives of children and young people. |
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Hiran Rana I am a chartered accountant, and currently working at an accounting consultancy firm in London. I live in Welwyn Garden City, but grew up in Kent. I've made this pocket of Hertfordshire my home in the last 6 years, and became a trustee in a bid to give back to my community. I feel strongly that good quality, accessible education can make the world of different to students, particularly in their formative years. I credit my success and happiness to the foundations that were laid for me in my education. The skills I bring to the board include a corporate perspective to encourage efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, and sound financial understanding to contribute to strategic longevity of value creation. My key virtue is to listen to my colleagues on the board and offer constructive challenge or balanced support with consideration for all stakeholders - including staff, parents and, students. |
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Adam Dale I'm passionate about giving all students the chance to maximise their opportunities in any field they choose and enjoy. I know the value of a good comprehensive education, which has provided me with the skills required to progress in my chosen career. I believe a broad curriculum is vital for students to prosper. My two children started at Monk Walk in 2022, which has prompted me to become involved in the school as a Trustee. As a Finance Director at a FTSE 100 company and qualified accountant with over twenty year's experience, I am able to bring varied skills and knowledge to the school. Outside of my professional life my interests including writing, swimming and coaching sports. |
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Fiona Doyle After studying Mathematics at The University of Leeds and training at Deloitte I moved into commercial finance at the same time making the move to Hertfordshire. I have called Welwyn Garden City my home now for over 10 years and living just around the corner from the school I can see what an enormous impact it has on the community. My key aim as a trustee is to help give all children equal opportunities and a solid foundation as they transition to adult life. I hope the role will also give me a better understanding of my own children’s education. My family keep me very busy but I also enjoy regular fitness sessions and have recently taken up Pilates. |
Headteacher's Reports to Trustees
These reports have been redacted in places to protect the confidentiality of students, their families, and staff members.
