Rodney Allen - Chair of Governors and Community Governor

Appointed Community Governor 01 Sep 2016 to 01 Sep 2024

Governor attendance for 2021-2022 school year

LSC meetings  6/6

I moved to St Albans in 2012 with my wife and our 10 month old daughter, who is now a student at Mandeville Primary School.  I grew up in West London but fell in love with Herts when I attended the University of Hertfordshire, graduating with a BSc (Hons) Chemistry.

I am pleased and proud to be the Chair of Governors at Mandeville. I try to be available at the front gate between 8:40-8:50 at least twice per week, so feel free to come and say hi and share your ideas/thoughts/comments.

In my professional life I am a Sales Director of a Medical Devices company, but have a background in IT and a love of all gadgets!

Cathy Longhurst - Head Teacher

Governor attendance for 2021 - 2022 school year

LSC meetings  5/6

I came to Mandeville in 2001 after teaching in London in the early part of my career and have lived in St Albans since then with my family. I was appointed as the leader of the Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and then became Deputy Head Teacher in 2005. As the school is a designated ‘National Support School’ I was asked to support a local school in challenging circumstances in February 2012 and enjoyed four terms as acting head teacher there before coming back to Mandeville as the substantive head teacher in September 2013. 

I am so proud of being part of Mandeville’s journey to success. The school has almost quadrupled in size since I started teaching here and is unrecognisable from the school it was then. We have achieved so many great things in that time, including the slightly disruptive but very worthwhile £5.5 million building project and an outstanding Ofsted.

I love the diversity that the children and families bring to Mandeville and the importance that we place on developing the whole child whilst not taking our focus away from continually striving to raise standards. Mandeville is such a happy environment for everyone who learns and works here, both children and adults, and every day presents a new and exciting challenge. That’s why I have stayed so long!

Laura Williams - Associate Governor (Deputy Head)

Appointed Staff Governor 30 Sep 2018 to 30 Sep 2021

Governor attendance for 2021 - 2022 school year

LSC meetings 5/6

I became a governor in September 2015 after joining Mandeville in September 2013 as the Year 6 class teacher and Assistant Headteacher with a responsibility for Key Stage 2. The following year I moved to teach in Nursery and took the role of  Early Years and Foundation Stage leader. It was a big change that I welcomed and an excellent opportunity to learn! I have become passionate about early education and using children's interests to achieve their next steps. I am extremely proud of the EYFS unit and team and believe we provide outstanding provision for our children. I love that every day is different and totally led by the children and I really value the opportunity to have a role in setting children up on their educational journey. 

I undertook my teacher training in Essex after completing a Psychology degree at Nottingham University. Prior to moving to Mandeville, I spent 5 years teaching at St Peter's just half a mile away. I predominantly taught in Key Stage 2 and was on the senior leadership team with a responsibility for teaching and learning across the school. During this time, I also did a Masters in Education. 

In September 2015, I became the acting Deputy Headteacher and SENCo which became my substantive role in June 2016. It has been a fantastic opportunity and I have thoroughly enjoyed increasing my knowledge and understanding of inclusion and SEND within education.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and being active.

Sarah Jones - Vice-Chair and Parent Governor

Appointed Parent Governor September 2019 to September 2022

Governor attendance for 2021 - 2022 school year

LSC meetings  4/6

Having had two children attend the school, I am delighted to be a Community Governor here at Mandeville Primary School. 

I was educated at Dr. Challoner's High School in neighbouring Buckinghamshire before completing my degree at The University of Exeter. After gaining a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, I worked for 3 years as a secondary English teacher in Hertfordshire before moving to Hong Kong in 2007 to teach at an KGV International School.  I currently work at a local secondary school. 

I am interested in all things related to literacy, well-being and sport in schools. 

Katie Ellingham - Staff Governor

Appointed Staff Governor - September 2019 to September 2023

Governor attendance for 2021 - 2022 school year

LSC meetings  6/6

I joined Mandeville in 2004 after moving to England from Australia where I had been a teacher for four years.  After gaining my degree in psychology and history at Monash University, I then went on to secure a post-graduate diploma in education. 

My main teaching experience is in KS2 and I am now the phase leader for Year 3 and 4.  I am very passionate about giving children a rounded experience in  primary school by building academic confidence as well as developing lifelong resilience skills.  I am qualified to teach the Penn Resilience Programme and the mindfulness programme known as. Breathe.  Throughout my time at Mandeville I have lead many curriculum subjects and am currently in change of English across the school.  During the last three years, I have taken on extra duties as a senior teacher and am often asked to demonstrate teaching and learning to less experienced teachers

I have always enjoyed working with children and love the way that every day is different.  Mandeville is by far the best school I have ever worked at, and I passionately believe in the principles which drive everyone to do their best for every child who walks through the door.

Paul Richards - Community Governor

Appointed Community Governor 2nd October 2019 to 2nd October 2023

Governor attendance for 2021-2022 school year

LSC meetings  6/6

I moved to live in St Albans in late 2000, just before my wife and I married. She was born in St Albans and raised in the Cottonmill area. Her parents still live near the school. I have three children, two girls and a boy, who are now in secondary education or sixth form at Beaumont School in St Albans, having all attended St Alban & St Stephen Catholic primary school.

Mandy Abley - Community Governor 

Appointed Community Governor - 6th October 2021 to 6th October 2024

Governor attendance for 2021-2022 school year

6/6

I have worked in education for over 30 years, the last 11 of them as head teacher of Aboyne Lodge primary in St Albans. I have a degree in English literature from UCL, studied for my PGCE at the Institute of Education in London and returned there to complete a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management., and my NPQH.

In 2017 I was invited to join the first cohort of the Herts for Learning Executive Head Teacher training programme and in September 2018 took over as headteacher at Templewood Primary in Welwyn Garden City, alongside my headship at Aboyne Lodge. I remained head at both schools until August 2021.

I was appointed a local leader of education in 2013 and supported many schools across Hertfordshire, until I became a Hertfordshire Improvement Partner in 2017. While I have now retired from Headship, I continue to work as a HIP, offering support and challenge to school leaders across the County.

Ed Holloway - Parent Governor

I joined the governor team in 2022 as a parent governor, and I'm the lead governor for science.

I have two daughters who go to Mandeville in year 3 and Reception and I live nearby in Sopwell. We chose the school for our daughters because of the obvious passion and commitment of the staff team, but also the wonderful community spirit across the school. I was delighted to be able to become a governor to support the school leadership in continuing that approach.

In my day job I work in the voluntary sector and am CEO of a benevolent charity, which gives me a good understanding of the challenges and rewards of leading a not-for-profit organisation.

Martin Reed - Parent Governor

I was born in the UK and have always had a passion for the arts. I have a BA in Graphic Design and a Post Graduate Diploma in creative writing. I lived in London for 10 years with my wife before moving to St. Albans in 2012. I have over 20 years experience in the world of advertising and marketing, with a mixture of self-employed and full-time experience. 

In terms of schooling background my mother was a primary school teacher for 40 years and I often helped in her classroom as a learning assistant. Mandeville continues to impress me with its inclusive attitude to child development and I cherish the opportunity to uphold that commitment to the school and local community. 

I have a son in reception and a daughter in Year 5, giving me daily exposure to both ends of Mandeville’s learning journey. I work in the creative industry, and would love to contribute in any way I can and to particularly help children learn to expressive themselves creatively. 

Patsy Harding - Associate Governor

Appointed Associate Governor 01 Sep 2022 to 01 Sep 2025

Governor attendence for 2021-2022 school year 

5/6

Having moved to St Albans in 2007 I became a parent at Mandeville in 2010 when my daughter started in Reception during the rebuilding project.

I had previously worked as a buyer for a London Department store so have a background in managing budgets and financial accountability. I am now the School Business Manager responsible for the school's finances, HR, recruitment  and contracts.