Governor Profiles

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.