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15/02/25

After using Twitter/X for many years, we have decided move away. Come join us on instagram to continue to keep up to date with all things HA! See you there!

13/02/25

Successful end of term art project for year six: children planned, designed and built these amazing Memories Boxes linked to our Oval history topic and our belonging driver. pic.twitter.com/n9kmoqMctV

12/02/25

Year six loved their visit from Steel today and asked some brilliant questions!#pshe pic.twitter.com/SVSTN0xR3p

12/02/25

We loved our visit from Steel today, learning all about resilience and the importance of sleep, healthy diet, being active, hydration and showing gratitude (noticing glimmers). Can anyone beat Steel’s record of 757 burpees nonstop in under an hour?#pshe pic.twitter.com/FLHRxZ2Lkq

12/02/25

As part of Safer Internet Day, year 2 explored a variety of dangers online and discussed how to respond to them. They had some excellent ideas and good knowledge of the safety features of various apps. They created posters to teach younger children about what they had learnt. pic.twitter.com/dWyOSidsdH

12/02/25

Amazing messages being given to the children this morning by the amazing gladiator Steel! What a fantastic morning we have ahead pic.twitter.com/Y0WFDxF1nL

11/02/25

Year six scientists dissecting hearts to understand how the circulatory system works. pic.twitter.com/ewcfvsfMRX

11/02/25

Year six scientists dissecting hearts to understand how the circulatory system works. pic.twitter.com/Dz7qWkgTL8

11/02/25

Year six home learning designing posters for around school about how to keep safe online. pic.twitter.com/eya9mmpF4M

11/02/25

Year six historians exploring the Oval as part of their local history project, with an added extra of a tag rugby PE lesson! pic.twitter.com/iabdKAYvHI

11/02/25

Year six historians exploring the Oval as part of their local history project, with an added extra of a tag rugby PE lesson! pic.twitter.com/gRFv2OAoT6

11/02/25

Team Dahl had a great science lesson on space and the stars with Mark the scientist yesterday (2).#science pic.twitter.com/FrJSAI3V1t

11/02/25

Team Dahl had a great science lesson on space and the stars with Mark the scientist yesterday (1).#science pic.twitter.com/K62hUgwN7y

11/02/25

Marking Safer Internet Day with a visit from the charity Computer Friendly pic.twitter.com/NuuQv4ROU2

10/02/25

Year 3 had a visit from Hands on Science and took part in a workshop on biological diversity. pic.twitter.com/RoqPJoSdUj

07/02/25

This week in assembly we celebrated Martin Luther King day, reading about this inspiring activist who devoted his life to fighting for civil rights. We linked to other activists such as Nelson Mandela, Greta Thunberg, Malala and Rosa Parks; and to our value of respect. pic.twitter.com/TKQlLAdduw

07/02/25

A huge thank you to all the adults who came to visit us today to explain how their job uses maths. pic.twitter.com/nNu8EdPIvU

07/02/25

Ladybirds have had a fantastic ! We have loved hearing about jobs that use numbers and dressing up! We are so inspired. We also made foot rulers to measure things in the classroom. pic.twitter.com/sfwifgPkd4

07/02/25

Our fourth visitor of the day was Tendaii, a train and air engineer. Our Y6’s were fascinated by his models and recognised how scale factors work in producing drafts of projects. pic.twitter.com/QmOElYN5WQ

07/02/25

Our third visitor of the day was Matt who works in the sports field. He explained to our Y6’s how fractions, decimals and percentages play a part in making predictions about different sporting events. pic.twitter.com/Js9gcUBH3m

07/02/25

Our second visitor of the day was Business Analyst Andreii who spoke to our Y6’s about how algebra and coding is used in his IT role. pic.twitter.com/g7qgZWX25k

07/02/25

Our first visitor of the day was Nurse Helen who works at treating cancer patients. Our Y6’s enjoyed learning about why measuring is particularly crucial in this field. pic.twitter.com/IG2nvg7xEC

07/02/25

Happy Number Day from Year 3! pic.twitter.com/bS3fxp7e8P

06/02/25

Aren’t we lucky to have such lovely, kind parents in our Year 1 class? We are so appreciative of these yummy sweet treats! pic.twitter.com/IEp8f6rkyO

04/02/25

Lunar new year celebrations last week pic.twitter.com/GAQmtKUjeU

Governor Profiles

A list of the relevant business and pecuniary interests for our Governing Body can be found here

Letters for the attention of the Chair of the Governing Body should be sent to the School.

Dboodhna

Dhanmita Boodhna - Chair of Governors

Hello! My name is Dhanmita and I was elected parent governor in July 2021 and have been Chair since September 2022. I have two girls at Harpenden Academy in Year 6 and Year 3 and knew instantly that this was the school for them when we moved here in 2018! I have been Chair of a Local Governing Body prior to this, at a Multi Academy Trust school in North London.

I have 14 years experience in the media industry, working predominantly in financial services in emerging markets as a Director of  start up. I have held many roles including in content, research, strategy, marketing and HR. Covid inspired me to change sector and I now work as a Strategic Coordinator for Hertfordshire Constabulary. 

In my spare time I like to cook, socialise with family and friends and travel.

N.Acton

Nick Acton - Parent Governor

I was appointed as a parent governor in September 2022. My daughter left Harpenden Academy in the summer of 2022 and is now in year 7 within the Trust at Sir John Lawes School while her younger brother is still a student at Harpenden Academy in Year 3.

I was approached to join the board of governors as someone with strong IT experience. I am very interested in learning more about the school and Trust plans for continued growth in the application of new technologies to support learning at Harpenden Academy.

I have over 20 years experience in IT having spent the majority of that time working for a global software supplier to the asset finance industry. I have worked for many clients in that period in a wide range of roles and countries. More recently I have been working as a senior architect in the engineering division based in London.

Hc alternate headshotv2

Helen Camfield - Parent Governor

I am a parent governor, elected in December 2023. My daughter’s have been at Harpenden Academy since September 2017. In that time I have volunteered in many capacities – classroom reading, school trips, class representative, I’ve even spoken in assembly to the whole school. I’m proud that the parent body has entrusted me with the responsibility of being their representative.

My professional background started in events management before I moved into financial compliance advisory after achieving a Diploma in Investment Compliance. I stayed in that role for a number of years supporting firms to understand their compliance and regulatory obligations. More recently I now work for a large insurance firm as a global content operations director.

In my free time I enjoy running, reading, supporting my eldest daughter’s ambition to be a world-famous horse rider and my youngest’s to be a cartwheeling gamer. As a family we love spending time by the sea both here in the UK and abroad when we can.

A dalton

Andrea Dalton - Co-opted Governor

I am currently a Detective Superintendent for Hertfordshire constabulary.

Throughout my career to date I have worked in a number of roles across the Constabulary mainly focused in Safeguarding. I have held multiple roles directly managing the investigations of offending against Children and led the forces Safeguarding Children Command before moving into my current role as the force Director of intelligence.

My core competencies include leadership, strategic planning, problem solving and stakeholder engagement.

I chose to be a school governor because I am committed and enthusiastic about the education of children and want to ensure I am making a difference. My career history evidence my passion to safeguarding children and I am enjoying being able to bring my experiences to my role as school governor.

S Gilbert

Shavalyea Gilbert  - Parent Governor

I was appointed as a safeguarding governor in November 2022. My son is a student at Harpenden Academy and I have volunteered in several capacities; classroom reading, class representative and chair of Friends of Harpenden Academy. I am very honoured and excited to serve the school in a different way.

My background is in business and education but have held roles in several sectors including; corporate training, project management, social media, real estate and education. Since selling my first aid franchise, I'm happy to be the full-time Operations Director for our household!

I enjoy spending time with my family, dancing, serving the community, mentoring and developing business assets. 

Again, I'm grateful to be appointed and look forward to serving as a governor.

J.Harman

Joanna Harman - Co-opted Governor

I am a Co-Opted Governor, joining the team in 2024.  My three children all attended Harpenden Academy; my oldest daughter was in the first cohort of children in the very early days and I have had the pleasure of seeing the school change and grow through my children’s attendance and through volunteering as in several capacities including class representative, classroom reading and FOHA roles.  

In the past I have been a Governor at an inner London school and was the link governor for Science.  At Harpenden Academy, I am the link Governor for Early Years and am motivated to support the school in helping those entry level children have the best possible start in their school career.  

I work as a People Director for a Technology business and in my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, walking my dog and cooking. 

6

Susan Leggott - Parent Governor

I am a parent governor, elected in July 2017.  My three children all attend the school – Tom in Year 5, James in Year 3 and Phoebe in Year 1.  Since Tom joined in 2013 (during the first year the school was open), I have volunteered in many different ways – classroom reading, as a lunchtime assistant, maths support in KS2, running the library, being chair of Friends of Harpenden Academy… I feel I know the playful, curious children and our unique school very well.

As a governor my aim is to help the school make the progress we need, whilst retaining things that make our school special. I am the link governor for both Mathematics and Science. 

As well as having time and enthusiasm to offer, I have a law degree, accountancy and treasury qualifications, and a financial management background.  In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, dancing and cycling. I also love snowboarding when I get the chance. 

A.Silvey

Antony Silvey - Co-opted Governor

My name is Antony Silvey and I was elected as a co-opted governor in May 2022. Having recently moved to Harpenden with my wife.

I am a teacher of Spanish and French and have worked in the private and public sector for the last 8 years. I previously was a Boarding Housemaster looking after 70 students in a residential setting.  Am currently Charity Coordinator at my school and have a keen interest in supporting student mental health. Harpenden Academy is such a warm and nurturing school and am excited to see the curriculum in action.

I am a keen rugby player and love spending time on my allotment. I also enjoy travelling and practising my languages.

Cw 1

Ceiri Withers - Staff Governor

My name is Ceiri Withers and I am a Staff Governor elected in July 2021. I am currently the Year 3 class teacher and previously worked in KS1 when I first joined Harpenden Academy in 2019. I previously worked at a school in Hemel Hempstead where I was a phase leader and I taught in both KS1 and LKS2. At Harpenden Academy I am subject leader for History and Geography. I love developing children's understanding of the world around them and especially the change that has happened and is happening to our world. I also have a passion for diversity within our curriculum, making it inclusive for all and enabling children to see the world from different perspectives. 

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends by cooking for them. My husband and I enjoy walking and going on mini breaks exploring towns and cities in Europe during the school holidays. I really enjoy creative projects and crafts and particularly enjoy modern calligraphy. 

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