Caroline Fleming, PCC Foundation Governor, Chair of Governors

I was elected as Chair of Governors in October 2018 having been a PCC Foundation Governor since December 2015. It is a genuine privilege to serve as Chair of Governors at St Nicholas and I hope to lead our Governing Body with enthusiasm as we work to support the school in achieving its vision and values. I was Treasurer to the Governors from 2016-2020.

I work part time at PwC in London where I have worked for over 25 years. Having initially trained as a Chartered Accountant, I now work in our Partner Admissions team having developed a specialism in talent management. I have lived in Harpenden since 2004 and have two children; both of whom are now former pupils at the school. I am married to Tim who is the Chief Operating Officer at St Albans Cathedral. My other local interest is playing badminton, where I regularly play for a local club, the Harpenden Racqueteers. I am also the Treasurer at the 12th Harpenden St Nicholas Scout Group. 

Lucy Parr, Vice Chair of Governors, Local Authority Governor

I was delighted to be appointed Governor in February 2020, having previously been involved for 12 years at the school as a parent, volunteer helper, midday supervisor and on the PTA, latterly as Chair. 

I have lived in Harpenden with my husband Jonathan since 2000 and our 3 now teenage children all enjoyed their years at St Nicholas. I have always been involved in the life of St Nicholas Church having previously served on the PCC, helped set up and run the Simply Worship children’s service as well as helped run Toddler Time and been involved in the 9.30 Creche and Sunday Club for many years. 

My background is in Marketing and PR and I latterly worked at the NSPCC before having children. As well enjoying other voluntary positions, I love playing tennis and walking our Cockerpoo, Holly. 

Rizelle Crouch, Headteacher Governor

I was appointed as the Headteacher of St. Nicholas Primary School in 2016, having previously been the deputy Headteacher for 5 years. During my teaching career of over seventeen years in primary education, I have gained a very broad range of primary teaching experience ranging from Nursery to Year 6. 

The work of the governing body is crucial to the management and organisation of the school. I am fortunate to have a team of committed governors, who represent the church, diocese, local authority, parents and staff. I believe that Governors play a vital role in supporting and challenging the school in order to achieve the best outcomes for all members of the school community.

Kate Birss, Staff Governor

I am Assistant Head at St Nicholas and am delighted to serve as the Staff Governor, appointed in October 2020. I joined St Nicholas Primary in 2009 as the Inclusion Co-ordinator and continue to look after any special educational needs of pupils in the school, alongside classroom teaching. I completed my PGCE in 1998 and I have also obtained qualifications in teaching and assessing dyslexic learners. I especially enjoy teaching Maths and French (not at the same time!). I have three children, the youngest of whom is at university. My interests include gardening, theatre, visual arts and literature and looking after various pets, including a tortoise who sometimes visits school.

Delia Bonner, PCC Foundation Governor

I feel very privileged to have been Chair of Governors at this school for five-years and to continue my service to the school as Chair of Personnel. As Governors, we form an experienced team who work hard to share our expertise to guide the school forward to becoming outstanding. I was appointed as a foundation governor in March 2010.

I have lived in Harpenden since 1977 and with my family have attended St Nicholas Church since then. I have two children who both attended schools in Harpenden. They are both now married and with their respective families live in Harpenden. I have four grandchildren who go to different schools in the town, so I am regularly involved in the school or nursery run!

I retired from my job as headteacher in 2009 having worked in education for over 30 years. I was very pleased to be asked to become a governor of St Nicholas School as I felt I could use my skills in a different setting. I work closely with the Headteacher and attend all committees, including chairing the Personnel and Pay & Performance Management committees. One of the greatest responsibilities of a Governing Body is the appointment of the Headteacher and it was our pleasure to be able to appoint Mrs Crouch in 2015. In education one never knows which challenge we will be faced with next but with a Governing Body with such a strong variety of skills, we feel we are able to strategically direct the school ensuring the best educational experience for our pupils.

I come into school very often and it is always a delight to see and hear about everything the children are doing and achieving. It is a very industrious, calm and happy place which builds on the foundation of our Christian values.   

Stuart Burnett, Diocesan Foundation Governor

I was appointed a Foundation Governor in August 2012 and I chair the Finance and Premises Committee. I am absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to help in supporting this wonderful school. I hope to use my personal and professional skills and experience to give something to the school and the wider community.

I have lived in Harpenden since 2005 and my wife and I have a daughter who started in Reception at St Nicholas in 2011. I am a member of St John's Church.

I have worked for London Underground since 1995. I spent 10 years in operational roles, latterly managing the train service on the Metropolitan line and the introduction of the new air-conditioned 'S stock' trains to the line. Since May 2012 I have been planning the London Underground track replacement programme.

Simon Caunce, PCC Foundation Governor

I was delighted to be appointed Governor in January 2020. I hope my experience (HR, Finance & IT) and enthusiasm will mean I can make a valuable contribution to both the school and the wider community. Having done some wider general management roles, I have been running my own consultancy business since 2015, largely aimed at helping small and medium sized businesses improve their performance.

I’m a member of St John’s Church and outside work I play some golf and am Vice Chairman and a trustee of Harpenden Cricket Club where I still play regularly. I’m also a keen horse racing fan.

Judie and I have lived in Harpenden since 1993. Most mornings and afternoons you’ll find us on the Common walking our Golden Labrador, Scamp.

Hilary Doherty, PCC Foundation Governor

As a member of the congregation of St Nicholas Church and having experience of teaching in the primary sector, I was very pleased to be appointed a Foundation Governor of St Nicholas School, where my children were once pupils.  

My life and career began in London, where I taught in the boroughs of Bromley and Islington, before moving to Harpenden in 1975 and spending several years bringing up my daughters.  During this period I undertook some work for a local music school, prior to accepting a post in a St Albans primary school where I taught for a number of years.  I have a particular interest in the teaching of Modern Foreign Languages at Key Stage 1&2.  

My personal interests include voluntary work for two charities, travel and choral singing. 

Hannah Draeger, Parent Governor

I was elected as a parent Governor in October 2019. I am a former pupil and two of my three boys are now pupils at the school. I live locally and am a Doctor by profession. 

Natalie Pepper, Parent Governor

I was elected as a Parent Governor in 2021. My husband and I moved to Harpenden in 2015 with our two young children who are now both at the school. My professional background is in Marketing.

Dr Catherine Harvey, Co-opted Governor

Catherine Harvey was elected as a parent Governor in 2017. She works as a Doctor in a London hospital and has two children at the school. Catherine is the safeguarding lead governor and Chairs the School Effectiveness Committee. She was co-opted as a Governor in October 2021.

Henry Loweth, Diocesan Foundation Governor

I was appointed a governor in April 2015. My wife and I have lived in Harpenden since 1986 and have attended St Nicholas Church during that time. We have two adult children, who both went to schools in Harpenden and St Albans.

I am a member of the Governing Body and the Personnel Committee, and I Chair the Admissions Committee .

Mary Jean Pritchard, Local Authority Governor

I was pleased to have been appointed a governor of St Nicholas School in November 2022. 

I moved to Harpenden in 1996 with my husband and two children, both of whom attended primary and secondary schools in Harpenden and are now grown up. I originally trained as a teacher and worked in a small Church of England primary school for a few years before changing course and beginning a career in publishing.  I worked for several voluntary organisations and a small publishing house until I retired in 2019 and also trained as an executive coach. Since retiring, I look after my grandchildren for part of the week.

I am a member of St John’s Church, Harpenden and have served in the choir, on the PCC and as a churchwarden.

Revd. Dr. Dennis Stamps, Rector of St. Nicholas Parish, Harpenden  Ex Officio Governor

I became ex-officio governor on 20th November 2012 after having been instituted as Rector of the parish of St Nicholas Harpenden. Prior to coming to Harpenden, I was Director of Ministry for the diocese of St Albans and a residentiary Canon at the Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban. I have been in ordained ministry for just over 20 years. I did serve as a governor for a CofE primary school in Birmingham in the 1990s. I have three children, two in university, one married. My wife is a lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire.

As Rector I have the privilege several times a month of leading the worship assembly for the school at St Nicholas church.