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 TRUSTEE INFORMATION
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 the Deputy Chair of PDSA, have served on their Audit and Risk Committee and now chair the Finance Committee. I am the Safeguarding Trustee and sit on the Governance and Remuneration committe. 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 in 2009. I am currently vice chair having previously been safeguarding trustee. 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. I am involved with Herts Crime Commissioner on a voluntary basis reviewing Use of Force and Body Worn Camera footage for the Hertfordshire police force. |
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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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Matt Grinyer I have been the headteacher at Monk’s Walk since September 2023. A great privilege. I have prior experience of being a Trustee (governor) in primary and secondary schools and have also been an associate member of the Risk and Resources Committee and Board of Trustees whilst Deputy Headteacher at Monk's Walk. |
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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. I am in my final year of doctoral training as an educational psychology which I hope to positively contribute to the lives of children and young people. |
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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. |
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Velislava Hillman With over 15 years of experience in research and writing about children, youth, and digital media technologies, my academic journey has been wide-ranging. After completing my PhD at the University of Westminster, I had the opportunity to conduct research internationally, including affiliations with prestigious institutions like the Berkman Klein Centre for Internet & Society at Harvard University, and more recently with the London School of Economics and Political Science. I have written my first book called Taming EdTech: Why children stand to lose in an unregulated digitised classroom with Bloomsbury Academic My field of work is at the intersection of education, digital technologies, AI, and data-driven futures. Primary focus has been on advocating for the fundamental rights and freedoms of children, emphasizing their voice and agency in a world that is increasingly shaped by data and proprietary algorithmic systems. Taking on the role of a parent trustee at Monk’s Walk School has granted me a remarkable opportunity not only to contribute to the local community but also to gain first-hand insight into the challenges and immense human dedication involved in managing a school. |
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