Close

Twitter Wall

08/10/24

Year 11 Drama students were working on their final GCSE performances in class today, each piece is based around the theme of relationships and must be 25 minutes in running time - brilliant imagination and engaging performances in development!#dramagcse pic.twitter.com/1sNHjTpU0O

08/10/24

Diary reminder - Year 7 students will have their individual photos taken on Wednesday 9 October. Please ensure a full and neat uniform.

07/10/24

Some students took part in a National Biology Spelling Bee competition last week sponsored by the testing their knowledge to spell tricky scientific vocabulary – lots of concentration taking place in this fun competition! pic.twitter.com/ACw2uLtkfl

04/10/24

The latest SJL Newsletter is out now…https://t.co/qMR9tGzjEJ pic.twitter.com/WqnrHuI1N7

04/10/24

U16 Boys National Cup Rd2SJL 3-0 Dr Challoner’s A brilliant performance by the Yr11 Football team this afternoon. An extremely mature display in defence and our relentless in attack created numerous chances throughout the game. Goals: D. Austin ⚽️⚽️ W. Gates ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/nbXnl6TGje

04/10/24

Happy World Animal Day. We have a selection of non fiction books about animals. Check them out today. pic.twitter.com/CJvvJaON2V

04/10/24

Our Year 11 boys table tennis team put in a sterling performance at the U16 table tennis tournament finishing in 2nd place. Competing against some really strong players, they demonstrated brilliant skill and determination in each round to progress through to the county comp pic.twitter.com/gCB6EATTrj

03/10/24

Geoscientist Dr Phil Porter from the gave an insightful talk to our Year 10 Geography students today about his research on climate change in Svalbard, the same subject as their GCSE case study - lots of information for our students to explore further. pic.twitter.com/hPrPBflWAl

03/10/24

Year 13 are developing their final devised performance in the style of theatre practitioner Bertolt Brecht. Today they have been using gestus and puppets. pic.twitter.com/A06JQD6QDs

02/10/24

What an incredible Open Evening! It was a pleasure showing so many families around our school. Thanks to everyone who came and to our amazing staff and students involved. We can’t wait to welcome more families into SJL on Day Tours from this Friday. pic.twitter.com/kRQelqMisK

02/10/24

Such amazing creativity and use of words in the library tonight! https://t.co/1Cqk95xY8z

02/10/24

Our talented students have been busy in Food Tecnology cooking up delicious treats for our visitors to enjoy all evening - from sweet to savoury there was something for everyone!#sjlopenevening2024 pic.twitter.com/avw5fPz3YD

02/10/24

Our young guests were exploring the world in Geography by testing their knowledge of countries, flags, famous landmarks and OS map symbols in various matching games. pic.twitter.com/1p4sZ1Lfoh

02/10/24

Our RE faculty was full of interesting games, giving our visitors a fun way to explore big ideas and learn more about different religions. pic.twitter.com/IyQ6G68WTQ

02/10/24

Our guests were tapping into their creativity in the Drama faculty, experimenting with trestle masks and shadow puppet theatre using improvisation techniques.#sjlopenevening2024 pic.twitter.com/HfKGTerFxg

02/10/24

Our Year 6 guests were greeted with a feast of creativity in the Art faculty where they observed our students work, took part in graffiti textiles and contributed to the Concrete Poetry display. pic.twitter.com/OmYqbNNMSd

02/10/24

We are excited to showcase our fully-equipped TV studio, where guests are enjoying getting hands-on with our exceptional media facilities recreating a scene from Harry Potter. pic.twitter.com/MLfOQCX1qp

02/10/24

In the Maths faculty our guests have been challenged to solve a KenKen puzzle, take part in a treasure hunt and play the interactive times table game.#sjlopenevening2024 pic.twitter.com/7IsCbngV1S

02/10/24

There is lots of fun happening in History as our Year 6 guests take part in the medieval market to treat an ailment and play the Higher or Lower Monarch Reigns game. pic.twitter.com/d9K2d39w6i

02/10/24

While our talented musicians are entertaining guests at the school entrance and in the canteen, Year 6 students are trying out a variety of instruments and unleashing their inner musicians in the music faculty! pic.twitter.com/8hPsFgtkpD

02/10/24

Our Design and Technology faculty is a hive of activity with our young guests making acrylic keyrings, playing with the Vex robots and watching in awe of the 3D printers. pic.twitter.com/UtEfH0xuFi

02/10/24

Our Year 6 visitors are enjoying a host of activities in the English faculty, where they can crack a murder mystery, take part in a debate and learn about amazing texts we study at SJL. pic.twitter.com/03Figw54fq

02/10/24

Our science faculty is buzzing with excitement as our young guests try flame tests, food testing and watching various demonstrations. pic.twitter.com/0TmlnnzORY

02/10/24

Our Year 6 visitors are having a great time trying out lots of new sports in the PE faculty - we pride ourselves on the vast range of sporting clubs our students can partake in each day. pic.twitter.com/e5tB1wi2Ez

02/10/24

Open Evening 2024!We can’t wait to welcome prospective students to our Open Evening tonight - where you’ll have the opportunity to explore our school, engage in activities and meet our amazing staff and students! pic.twitter.com/nrKARjn4XN

Governor Profiles

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

 Katy Wilmshurst

Katy Wilmshurst - Chair of Governors

I have been a governor at SJL since 2014, and was previously Vice Chair, safeguarding-linked governor and a member of the SET Admissions Committee. Before that, I was a governor at Manland Primary School, including five years as Chair.

I followed a music degree at Manchester University with a performance diploma at the Royal Northern College of Music and then started my career as a violinist and teacher in a variety of orchestras and settings. I have lived in Harpenden with my family since 2001 and currently work for the Hertfordshire Music Service as a violin teacher in a number of local schools as well as being head of Baldock Music Centre. I also freelance as a violinist.

Having had two children educated at SJL, I’ve seen close-up the outstanding teaching and opportunities on offer to its students and as Chair of the Governing Body I look forward to supporting the school’s future growth and development.

Libby Montgomery Jan2019

Libby Montgomery - Vice Chair of Governors

Having studied Medieval Italian and French at University and lived for a while in Italy, my professional background is in Marketing and Communications and I have worked in a wide range of industries from sports marketing to real estate investment management.  

I have previously held several positions on school Governing Bodies, having been Chair of Governors at Batford Nursery School for 9 years and an additional Governor at schools in St Albans.  I am currently also Chair of Governors at Manland Primary School.  I served as a Strategic Leader of Governance for Herts for Learning, assisting other Governing Bodies to carry out self evaluation and work on strategies for improvement.  I find being in schools interesting and stimulating and am proud to be part of the Governor community at SJL. Both of my children are currently at SJL and I have been involved with the school since they joined. 

Outside of work, I assist a local scout group with organising camps and taking care of all the equipment.  I am a keen squash player and regularly play for local and County teams, with varying degrees of success and now take longer to recover after a match than I ever did before!

Christopher
Christopher Armitage

I have been involved with SJL for over forty five years as a Head of PE, Assistant Headteacher and now as a Governor. Both my children attended SJL and they are both teachers, so teaching runs in the blood.

I am Chair of the Trust’s Admission Committee and enjoy being actively involved with the school whether it is interviewing new members of staff, meeting the Site Manager or as compere of one of our superb music concerts.

I feel very proud that I can play a small part in the continuing success of Sir John Lawes School. Long may that continue.

S austin

Sarah Austin

I have lived in Harpenden for much of my life, having grown up in the town and moving back to live here when my second child was born. I am fortunate to have attended SJL myself as a pupil all the way from year 7 to year 13 and had a fantastic experience at the school. I am now a parent of two boys at SJL who are thriving and benefitting hugely from all aspects of school life. I am a trained Speech and Language Therapist having qualified from Sheffield university over 20 years ago. Having worked in the NHS for 10 years, I now work independently around Harpenden and the local area with children of various ages with a range of Speech and Language difficulties. I am also a Makaton tutor and regularly run training for nurseries, schools and day centres to help them support communication at their settings. During the covid pandemic, I worked at SJL as a Literacy support tutor for two years providing 1:1 support to pupils who had fallen behind; one of the ways in which the school used the Governments ‘covid catch up fund’. I also previously worked for several years as a Registered Intermediary, supporting children and vulnerable witnesses with communication as they went through challenging police interview and court processes. 

In my spare time I enjoy playing tennis, running and singing in a community choir, and I am a Sunday school leader at our local church. I am delighted to be part the governing body of SJL. Being in the fortunate position of ex-pupil and parent, it’s a privilege to serve as a parent governor at this progressive and inclusive school. 

L Gillot

Lyndsay Gillot

I have been Head of Music at Sir John Lawes School since September 2014 and am in my tenth year of teaching.  I am hugely committed to the school, its students, and its staff.  Through initiatives such as the staff music challenge and staff choir, and involvement in the wellbeing group, I have made a sustained commitment to the school community. 

I am passionate about my work, hard-working, enthusiastic and always willing to go above and beyond - with a smile!

Leila Guerra

Leila Guerra

I have worked in higher education for over 20 years and am currently Vice Dean (Education) at Imperial College Business School. I'm passionate about the power of achieving positive impact through education, empathy and global awareness. I'm also part of international educational Advisory Boards. I hope my experience in education can be of use to support SJL with their inspiring mission and was delighted to be appointed as a parent governor. 

I have 2 children, and my oldest has just started at SJL. Harpenden is our home, although I do have quite an international background having lived in 8 countries. Outside of work and school I love to travel and also being outdoors with the family. 

D hassall 1
David Hassall

I am currently a co-opted governor at Sir John Lawes School having originally joined the governing body as a parent governor not long after my first son started at the school. Since then, my remaining 2 other sons have also attended SJL, before going on to university.

My career has been in medical research, having undertaken my first degree in human biology before studying for a PhD in Biochemistry at the Royal Free Hospital in London. I then joined the pharmaceutical industry in Cardiovascular and respiratory medicines research, ultimately working for GSK. I also lectured at schools and universities on aspects of my work, becoming a STEM ambassador. In 2012 I was fortunate enough to run anti-doping stations in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

In the time I have been a school governor I have helped the school develop many initiatives and seen the important role that SJL has played in the growth of the Scholar’s Education Trust. I have always been impressed by the dedication and hard work of all the staff and the ethos to support every child in their endeavours. Long may it continue.

Danielle heley
Danielle Heley

I thoroughly enjoy being part of the Sir John Lawes community and I'm privileged to have held the post of staff governor since 2017. I was appointed as assistant headteacher in 2022 having commenced my teacher training at Sir John Lawes twenty years previously as an English teacher. Since then I have also been a Literacy Co-ordinator and Head of Year.

Two of my three children, now attend Sir John Lawes. I am very proud of the school and am dedicated to its continued success in delivering the best possible outcomes for our students.

JRO governor

James Robertson

I was very pleased to be elected as a parent governor for SJL in 2021. I have two children at the school and have lived in Harpenden since 2014.

Professionally I have been a civil servant nearly my whole career, working in a variety of government departments in Whitehall and overseas. I currently work on youth policy - overseeing the government's support for teenagers outside of school, working closely with organisations such as Scouts, Girlguiding, The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, UK Youth and the National Youth Agency. Our work is all about giving young people access to opportunities to develop themselves outside of school and to get them engaged in the issues that affect them.

I also have a particular interest in adolescent mental health issues and am involved with a Mexican charity that aims to break the inter-generational cycle of violence towards children.

I hope to bring these perspectives to bear in my role as a governor, and in particular to help strengthen the links between SJL and the wider community in Harpenden.

Mstevens
Mike Stevens

I have lived in Harpenden for nearly 40 years and have brought up my 6 children here. I was first involved in school Governance when I was elected as a parent governor at the local primary school my children attended. I was subsequently appointed as an LEA Governor at Wood End Primary School and was Chair of Governors there for a period. I was fortunate to be elected as a Parent Governor at Sir John Lawes and subsequently, after they left for university, was appointed as a Co-opted Governor.

I was invited to become a Governor at Harpenden Academy when it joined the Scholars Educational Trust in 2016 and was Chair of Governors there from 2020 to 2022. I recently left Harpenden Academy in order to take up a role as Governor at Buntingford First school when it opens in September 2023, an exciting new development for the Trust.

I am retired from the public sector where I was engaged throughout my career within various Law Enforcement organisations. Latterly, I was involved in developing Government Policy on Justice and Home affairs and the strategic planning of multi-agency engagement.

What little “me time” I have, after my family, is spent involved in the local branch of the Institute of Advanced Motorists motorcycle section. I am a keen biker- it is great for blowing away the cobwebs!


Ria Anderson - Head of School

I am immensely proud to have been appointed Head of School at Sir John Lawes and am excited for the upcoming year. During my time at Sir John Lawes, I have played an active role in the school community, largely through participation in various sports teams. As I have grown through the school, the school’s outstanding extracurricular program has given me opportunities to enhance my leadership skills and allowed me to give back to the vibrant and talented school community, such as by helping lead History club, taking part in a Sports Leadership course and becoming a House Captain for Ryder house.

I am currently studying History, Biology and Religious Education for A Levels, and aim to study History and Politics at university. Outside of school I play for the local hockey team and am passionate about social equality, spreading positivity and global politics.

Through my role, I am dedicated to working collaboratively with the prefect team and wider school community to continue to enhance life at SJL. To the best of my ability, I will advocate for all of the students, raise awareness on important causes as well as continuing to strengthen wider opportunities at SJL.


Aryan Pise - Head of School

I feel honoured and proud to be given this opportunity at Sir John Lawes as Head of School. Together with the Prefect Team, I am excited to work with the Governors, Staff and Students. 

I am studying Music, Chemistry and Media BTEC at A-Level and hope to work in the Music and Media industries. Though joining in year 11 amidst GCSE was a critical step, the School community supported and encouraged me tremendously, and within no time I became a part of the SJL family and soon the House Captain of Newton! 

From producing the Summer Prom Documentary to choreographing in the Gym and Dance Display & the school production ‘School of Rock’ (2024), each day at SJL gave me a new chance to explore my skill set. My musical journey reached new heights after being introduced to different instruments (Violin, Viola, Flute, Saxophone) and Western Classical Music. More recently, my friend and I had the opportunity to teach a song we wrote and composed to 200 students from primary schools around Harpenden. I am also involved in a few other clubs - advanced dance, chamber choir and the astronomy club. 

Outside of school I play Badminton at an advanced level and play the viola in a local Orchestra. I’ve also performed dance at community events such as ‘Diwali at Trafalgar’ & Action for Children at Rickmansworth. 

I truly believe that perseverance, creativity and passion can lead to success. Together, let’s move forward to achieve the vision and goal of SJL and incorporate the ideals of the SJL ACE to Achieve, Care and strive for Excellence!

Your browser is out-of-date!

Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

×