JAMES MARKS ACADEMY TRUST - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Standards and GDPR Committee
Ashley is the SENDCo of the James Marks Academy Trust based at Roman Fields site. Ashley holds an MA in Autism and has a wide range of experience in leading on pastoral and academic areas; and works extensively in mental health, liaising with outside agencies to get the best care and support for our pupils and their families. Ashley is primarily a Geography teacher and an excellent mentor. Ashley has driven forward many new initiatives within the provision leading to outstanding outcomes; he puts the pupils at the centre of all of his practice. Ashley is a great support to staff and parents and carers alike. Above all else, Ashley is personable, friendly and approachable. He is always willing to go the extra mile and look for solutions which have tangible benefits.
David has worked at Roman Fields since September 2022. Prior to making the switch to specialist education, he started his teaching career as a main stream secondary English Teacher, then Head of English and latterly as an Assistant Head Teacher.
David leads on safeguarding, curriculum, timetables, exams and whole school outcomes.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Head
- RFA Assistant Head
Emma Davis is a long-standing Assistant Head within our Trust. Emma is also the Teaching and Learning / Behaviour Lead at Forest House Education Centre, which is her primary base, but works extensively within Roman Fields too. Emma is very much a part of our Trust's SLT where we rely on her expertise to support strategic development, planning and implementation.
She is also an English and Film Teacher.
Emma has experience of leading and integrating new processes across the provisions, supporting excellent outcomes for pupils. She also prioritises and supports the pastoral care and academic progress of pupils, working alongside colleagues and parents to make sure that pupils have the best possible experiences at school, both socially and academically.
Emma is a keen advocate of staff mentoring and co-learning and enjoys working alongside colleagues and other professionals to find the right solutions and outcomes for the pupils.
Emma joined Roman Fields in 2016 (and Forest House Education Centre in 2022) and is proud to be a part of a team who genuinely make a difference to the lives of young people and their families.
Eugene has extensive management skills, gained in commercial business and a long term interest in special needs and disabilities. He was the treasurer for Herts Inclusive Theatre for 8 years until 2017.
Eugene's business background is a result of 30 years working in commercial IT services, retiring in August, 2019 as a programme manager, overseeing up to 20 million pounds of project works per annum, within a variety of industries and clients; utilising strategic partners and third party agents to deliver solutions and services within time, quality and cost constraints. He was responsible for developing the five-year business plan for Network Rail's core IT systems, developing the business case for projects to be commissioned with a 100% approval rate from the Group investment panel.
Gemma previously worked at Roman Fields as a Finance Assistant, before leaving and becoming a School Business Manager. Gemma has come back to offer support as a Trustee and learn about academy finance to develop her knowledge further.
John is a director and part owner of a recruitment company since 2011. He was a former director and owner of a consulting company and former executive head of Strategic Health Authority and 3 NHS Trusts.
John is an experienced former governor and chair.
John has 30-years' experience of governance in education in Hertfordshire; strategic direction of schools; holding senior leadership to account; directing/overseeing financial affairs of schools in financial difficulty; establishing a new governing body and steering it towards strategic decisions concerning the membership of MAT.
Job Titles:
- Chief Finance Officer
- Company Secretary
Mandy is the Chief Finance Officer/Company Secretary for James Marks Academy Trust, including the Roman Fields Academy, Forest House and from Sept 2023 the James Marks Academy. Mandy has worked in education for 14 years and has spent the majority of her time leading the business and finance areas; firstly, as Business Manager for Roman Fields and then as the Chief Financial Officer of James Marks Academy Trust.
Mandy has had a long and varied working life including working in a primary Speech and Language unit in a mainstream school, supporting pupils integrate back into the classroom.
Before moving into education, she worked for a large financial institution within the central HR department and prior to that, as a PA for a Company Director.
Mandy finds her role extremely rewarding and is particularly keen to establish efficient methods of operation to maximise cost savings, thereby enabling more funds to be utilised in the enhancement of the education of the pupils of the Trust.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Finance & Business Committee
Job Titles:
- Assistant Head of James Marks Academy
- JMA Assistant Head
Mark Reynolds became the Assistant Head of James Marks Academy from September 2023. Mark has worked for the James Marks Academy Trust for a number of years, previously as the Head of the Technology Department at Roman Fields Academy and Data Assessment Lead.
His teaching time is mostly spent with GCSE Mathematics, but he has also taught A Level Economics, GCSE English, and has occasional forays into History when the timetable allows.
Mark runs the school Dungeons and Dragons club, and likes to play football and rounders with the pupils so long as the odds are stacked in his favour.
Job Titles:
- Academy and Forest House Education Centre Policies
Job Titles:
- Deputy Head
- JMA Deputy Head / CLA Lead
Scott joined the James Marks Academy Trust as Deputy Head in September 2023. Scott has extensive experience as a Senior Leader and prior to joining the Trust he has worked in secondary schools across Hertfordshire for over 25 years.
He initially trained as a PE teacher and has taught psychology for the last 15 years. He has held numerous responsibilities throughout his career and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Trust. He has a Master's degree in teaching and learning and is a qualified SENCo.
Scott leads on behaviour, attendance and looked after children. He is also the deputy designated lead for safeguarding and supports the SENCo and integration of new pupils.
Simone works for Herts for Learning as a Governance Trainer, External Reviewer, Governance Consultant and Hertfordshire Strategic Leader of Governance.
Simone is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
She is also Chair of Governors at an outstanding Primary School.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Head
- Executive Head / Accounting Officer
- Trustee, Executive Head ( Accounting Officer )
Trevor is the Executive Head for James Marks Academy Trust, including Roman Fields Academy soon to be joined by the James Marks Academy. He has nearly 25 years in Education in a variety of roles, including 9 years at Roman Fields. He has led Roman Fields to being rated Outstanding by Ofsted and winning the NAS 2018 Excellence award.
Trevor is the Executive Head for James Marks Academy Trust, including the Roman Fields Academy, Forest House and from Sept 2023 the James Marks Academy. He has over 25 years in Education in a variety of roles, including almost 10 years at Roman Fields, as Headteacher. He has led Roman Fields to being rated Outstanding by Ofsted and winning the NAS 2018 Excellence award.
Prior to working in education, he was a Project Manager in the construction industry. He has experience in leadership, finance, SEND, strategic planning and delivery.
Trevor took on a significant amount of responsibility fairly early on in his teaching career as a Head of Year from his second year of teaching, which has provided the opportunity to learn from and work closely with 5 Head Teachers over his early career. In his last post, Trevor was a mainstream Deputy for 8 years and built strong teams of entirely committed individuals, leading the SEND and behaviour teams and all staff in the Autistic Resource Provision alongside the Heads of Year.
He believes that great schools are built on relationships, creativity, positivity, and trust. He learned that the leader of an organisation can really impact on the culture, results and inclusivity of an organisation; and that accountability directly affects outcomes