Governor Profiles

Mr M King

I lived in Puckeridge for the first 18 years of my life and was pleased to move back to the area 8 years ago with my wife and our 4 children to live in Braughing. As a Business Manager in the Environment & Infrastructure Department at Hertfordshire County Council, I hope that I can bring some of my skills and experience to assist the school in the role of parent governor.

I joined the Governance team in 2017 and Chair the Resources Committee as well as being Vice Chair of the Local Governing Body and sitting on the Board of Directors. With my eldest daughter attending Ralph Sadleir before moving to Freman College and our other 3 currently at the school, I am keen to provide any support that I can to improve school life for all of the pupils. I value the ethos of the school and that the staff strive to provide a broad and balanced curriculum which gives the pupils a fantastic opportunity to experience topics and subjects that they would otherwise have to wait until attending the secondary system to take part in. Since being involved, the efforts ‘behind the scenes’ from all the staff, often in very challenging circumstances, has been incredible to see and I’m sure that it will continue with every new pupil that makes the decision to join.

Probably, like other parents or carers, outside of work my life is about my family and aside from driving children to numerous clubs. I enjoy helping coach Braughing Cricket Club’s youth section (especially when the sun is out!) but do find time to socialise with friends and family once in a while.

Mr S Fanthorpe

I am the Headteacher of the school, having taken up the post from September 2022. I have extensive experience in education and schools having been a teacher, senior leader, Headteacher, Executive Headteacher, Local Authority Advisor and Trust group advisor. I have worked in both primary and secondary education.

My role within the governing body is to provide other governors with relevant school information so that they can understand how the school is progressing and how we operate. This supports the governors to ask challenging questions, which enable us to reflect and improve.

Outside of school, I like to spend time with my family, spend holiday periods in France and am interested in music, football, cooking (and eating) and reading.

Cynthia Prince

I have been involved with Ralph Sadleir for over thirty years, as a parent, full time teacher and at present a regular supply teacher. The school has been an important part of my life and as a governor I hope to promote the school and it’s ethos and help implement changes that will help the school move forward.

Richard Prince

I taught at Ralph Sadleir for many years. I was Head of Music as well as teaching French, German, Maths and some Technology.

After retiring from the classroom I came back to the school and taught piano for a number of years.

Mr J Woodhouse

My family and I are relative newcomers to Buntingford. My eldest is a pupil at Ralph Sadleir and his little brother is at Roger de Clare, with a couple of years to go before moving up. I’m keen to do what I can to support the teachers and pupils in continuing to make this such a fantastic school.

I have a professional background in politics, policy and communications – across education and health – in the civil service, NHS and private sector. I now run a little consultancy of my own. I spend the vast majority of my spare time driving the boys to clubs and tournaments, but sometimes get to go climbing with the whole family, swim, cook and occasionally read.

Mrs J Tye

I grew up in Standon and attended Ralph Sadleir school during the years of 1986-1990, although it was a little bit different then!! Having obtained a qualification as a chartered accountant, and then spending a number of years working abroad in Australia, I returned to my roots and now live once again in Standon.

I have four children, my youngest is at Roger de Clare, my middle two are at Ralph Sadleir and my oldest is at Freman College so I have a personal interest in the Rib Valley Schools consortium, and having been through the system myself I am a great advocate of the three tier system.

My personal interests include playing netball, travelling abroad and socialising with friends and family.

Mr Mark Wheal

Standon has been my home for 20 years now. My youngest daughter is at Roger De Clare and will hopefully move to Ralph Sadleir this year and follow the path of my eldest daughter, who is now at Freman College.

I currently sit on the Resources Committee. A very interesting and rewarding role.

In my spare time, I enjoy golf, karate and help as a swimming coach for Hertford Swimming Club.

Mr D Verderame

I have recently joined the local governing body as our school’s staff governor after having held a number of roles across the school as a faculty leader and teacher since 2017. My training and experience has centred around the three-tier system, which has given me a solid understanding of the relatively unique context of our school.

It is a privilege to serve on Ralph Sadleir’s governing body and I am committed to ensuring its continued development and progression for the coming years.

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