Governor Board for the Federation of Thundridge and Ponsbourne St. Mary's Church of England Schools

Mr Matthew Clutterbuck

Chair of Governors

I have been a governor since May 2019. I am a PPG and music link governor and a member of the Finance and Staffing committee.
In day to day life I’m a father of 2 daughters and I live in the village of Tonwell, where I am also a local district councillor.
I am passionate about STEM where my role as an airline pilot for a major airline comes in useful.

Mr Wayne Morris

Vice Chair of Governors

I am a Local Authority Governor. I have been a governor at Ponsbourne since 2009 and, until the Federation, as Chair at Ponsbourne. I am now Vice Chair of the Federation and Chair of the Finance Committee. My daughter went through Ponsbourne from Reception and is now in Y3 at university (where did the time go?). I am the governor representative for maintained primary schools on the Schools Forum which allocates government funding to educational establishments in Hertfordshire. I'm involved as a councillor of my Parish Council where I'm currently Chair there. I retired a while ago after 32 years in the police. I now have my own electrical contracting company. I firmly believe in giving back to the community in which I live and I passionately believe in small rural schools staying in the community and being properly funded.

Mrs Sarah Bridgman

Executive Headteacher

I began my career in education in 2002 following completion of a Bachelor of Education degree. I have worked across six primary schools of varying sizes and demographics serving on the governing board of each one. I have taught across the full primary range as a class teacher, spent sixteen years at senior leadership level and am an experienced SENCO.

Mr John Hardman

Co-opted Governor

Having moved to the area in 2023 I've been a governor at Thundridge since February 2024, now taking the lead for Safeguarding.  I was previously a governor and Chair of the Finance Committee at a Primary School in Bethnal Green for six years.  I am a qualified Chartered Accountant and after years working in audit/finance for the government and a global bank, now work in Data Insights and Reporting for a UK financial services institution.  In my spare time I enjoy travelling, sports, gardening, and volunteering for a number of organisations including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  I enjoy football refereeing and probably peaked in my career in my first season, getting to officiate a game at Wembley Stadium. 

Mrs Victoria Wallis

 Staff Governor 

Mr Michael Marks

Co-opted Governor

I have been a teacher since 2014 and have also worked in hospitality and retail banking. I currently teach at Chauncy School, Ware and also had five years experience teaching in East London. My main reason for getting into education was to help young people navigate the different pathways available to them. I am most passionate about helping young people realise their full potential and discover their own interests. Outside of work, I enjoy, cooking, film, travel and exploring the outdoors, especially with my two primary school aged boys. As a new governor, I am keen to learn more about primary education whilst bringing my secondary school experience and skill set to the governing board at Thundridge.

Mrs Laura Field

Foundation Governor

I joined the board as a Parent Governor in September 2024 and currently serve as a Foundation Governor with link roles in SEN and RE. I  run an arts organisation focused on collaborative projects that address issues such as loneliness, ill-health, and disadvantage within communities. As a socially-engaged artist and theatre designer, I am passionate about using the arts as a tool for social change and wellbeing. Additionally, I am a member of Christ Church Ware and have two young energetic children that keep me fit.

Mrs Louise Delfino

Co-opted Governor

I have been a school governor since 2019. I am a co-opted governor and bring to the schools a professional background in law, business, and finance. I am a qualified lawyer with experience working in local government and business, and I currently work for a major international bank. 
Outside of work, I am a mother to identical triplet girls and enjoy country walks with our dogs, reading and holidays somewhere hot!

Mrs Amy Lilley

Parent Governor

I am a parent governor and have three children in KS2 at Ponsbourne. I was part of the governors’ committee which oversaw the federation process and have been delighted to see our two schools come together to support one another and continue to thrive. Professionally, I have been a civil servant for 15 years and I currently work in the Department for Business and Trade, but previously worked for DfE on school improvement and the academies programme. Prior to becoming a civil servant I was a secondary school science teacher under the Teach First programme.

Mrs Monica Binning

Parent Governor

Hi, I'm Monica Binning and have been a Parent Governor for over a year at Ponsbourne supporting the Finance Committee. I'm really excited to be part of the Federation Governing Board. I also support Ponsbourne with fundraising activities and am on Ponsbourne's Friends of the School (FTS) Committee. 
I have 2 children at Ponsbourne. Professionally, I have worked for Barclays for the last 18 years within Operations in a number of Leadership and Transformation Project roles. 

Mrs Aletia de Beer

Foundation Governor

I am a Foundation Governor with lead responsibility for SEND, Pupil Premium, and Sports Premium, serving on the curriculum committee. A state-registered Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience, I work closely with school leadership to ensure that inclusion, wellbeing, and achievement remain at the heart of decision-making.

I have been involved in school governance for over six years, first as a Parent Governor and Vice Chair before federation, and now as a Foundation Governor. I am also active in the school and church community through the Friends of the School and St Mary’s Ponsbourne PCC, where I serve as Secretary.

I am a parent of four, with her youngest in Year 3 at Ponsbourne, and all my children have attended the school. Deeply invested in both schools' community and Christian vision, I am passionate about nurturing a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child can grow, belong, and flourish.