Members of the Governing Body

Richard Walmsley - Clerk to the Governors
  • BEd (Hons)
  • MSc Education Management
  • 40 years in the teaching profession with 23 years in school leadership

I am now retired from full time employment but as an ex-headteacher, both of schools in this country and in those supporting the British expatriate community as far afield as Kuwait and Indonesia, I have a wide experience of school education at various levels and contrasting contexts.  I have also worked as a side-line in radio and television; mainly in news-reading and providing voice-overs for documentaries and commercial advertisements.  Apart from working with Cambridgeshire’s ‘CamClerks’ service, I am a supervising marker for End-of Key Stage 2 Tests.

I trust by bringing my interest and experience in school education to the role of Clerk I can support the governing body of Monkfield Park Primary in its important task of providing strategic direction for the school.

Janet Sparrow - Co-opted Govenor and Vice Chair

I joined the Governing Body in October 2022 and serve as a co-opted governor. I enjoyed a long career in this country, The Bahamas and the USA. I was a teacher, secondary school deputy head teacher and Local Authority Education Manager. I also spent a number of years working in hospice care.

On retirement, thirteen years ago, my husband and I moved to Spain to pursue our love of travel, language and culture. We returned to England in April 2022 and, on moving to Cambourne, I was keen to contribute to my new community. I want to use my knowledge and experience to further develop the strategic direction of Monkfield Park Primary School and to help ensure that its high standards continue to enable every child to achieve their best.

In my spare time, I enjoy travel, walking, reading, music and spending time with my four grandchildren

James Osborn - Co-opted Governor 

I joined the Governing Body in December 2022 and serve as a co-opted governor. I am a software development leader, having previously worked as a software engineer for many years and hope to bring additional leadership skills to the school. 

I have no connection to Monkfield Park other than living nearby, but since joining I have been extremely impressed and jealous of so many aspects of the school, its staff and their practices. 

In my spare time, I flit between many different hobbies/interests, including digital conservation, automation, fencing (the sword type), gaming and travelling whenever I can. 

Annie Howell – Headteacher

I have been a member of the teaching staff at Monkfield Park since 2004 and was appointed as the substantive Headteacher in 2021.

I believe that Monkfield Park is a remarkable place to learn and work and I am fully committed to ensuring that every child in our care receives the very best education. My main focus has always been on raising standards by providing a challenging and creative curriculum for children that is both inspirational and aspirational and builds resilience. Having the opportunity to represent the staff at governing body meetings has enabled me to contribute further to the strategic development of our wonderful school.

Jane Crowden - Local Authority Governor and Co-Chair

I joined the Governing Body in March 2018 and serve as a Local Authority Governor. I have been privileged enough to enjoy a long career in education, as a teacher, a senior leader, and as a Local Authority Adviser.  Now retired, I am keen to offer my experience and expertise to help to continue to develop Monkfield Park Primary as a school where all children are challenged to achieve the highest standards of which they are capable.   Whilst working for the Local Authority it was always a pleasure to make occasional visits to Monkfield Park, and it has been exciting to see the school grow from its early beginnings as the first school in the new village of Cambourne to the lively, vibrant and well-established community that it now is.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with a growing brood of grandchildren, walking in the countryside and rediscovering skills in sewing and similar crafts.

Mel Webster - Co-opted Governor and Co-Chair

I have lived in Cambourne since 2010 and have 2 children attending the school.  I currently work part time which has allowed me to be greatly involved in my children’s schooling over the past 4 years, meaning I have built strong relationships with both the school and parents.

Having worked in the banking industry for 14 years I am keen to offer my financial and leadership experience to the school.

My children’s future is of the uppermost importance on my list of priorities, therefore I am delighted to have the opportunity to make a difference in the education of not just my children, but the school as a whole.

I feel privileged to be part of the governing body working with parents, teachers, the Headteacher and other governors to help drive the continued improvement needed to provide our children with the best chance of success, and to ensure that Monkfield Park maintains the outstanding reputation it so rightly deserves.

I look forward to learning how our governing body supports the Headteacher to determine the strategic direction for the school, and can already appreciate the considerable work, thought and skill that goes into delivering a balanced budget as well as meeting the fiscal demands associated with running a school on a budget.

I am committed to ensuring that Monkfield Park offers all pupils the very best start in life, to achieve the best outcomes in the wider curriculum, whilst at the same time maintaining a secure, safe, nurturing and happy environment.