Governor Profiles

Anja Tyler, Head Teacher

My name is Anja Tyler. I joined Benington School in 2001 as a Year One/Two teacher. I became a senior teacher and staff governor two years later. I now teach Year Three/Four. I became Deputy Head in 2013 and Interim Head in 2020. In 2016 I completed my SENCo qualification. I am now subject lead for computing, RE and SENCo.

I have watched Benington School blossom, from having only 60 children on roll, to having over 100. I am passionate about our school and continuing to drive it forward.

Dan McLean

Dan Mclean governor I live in Benington and I am also one of the Parish Councillors.

I joined the school Governors in September 2020 and it’s a great privilege and responsibility to be a part of this excellent school.

My wife and I were welcomed to this community and I am very pleased to offer something back.

I have spent many years working with national charities, currently medical research, and I am an enthusiastic but totally average gardener and lover of nature.

Dennis Preston

I was recently appointed to the Governing Board and am a member of the Resources Committee. Since September 2017 I have also worked as a volunteer teaching assistant at Benington and have got to know the school, staff and pupils really well.

My business background is in financial services and I still run my own consultancy providing services to large organisations and 1-1 coaching for senior executives. I also volunteer at Oxfam bookshop in Hertford where I look after the donations and sales of vinyl records and at Hertford museum where I am also a patron. I support another very special school in the tea gardens of Darjeeling, India and am currently helping to build a strong friendship link between the two schools. Born in Leeds, I have lived in Hertford for over 35 years. I have one son who is a professional journalist and lives in London. We both enjoy football and watch games together whenever we can.

John Halfacre

john halfacre governor

I have recently joined the Governing Body as an Associate Member and member of the Resources Committee, having been the School’s Data Protection officer since 2018.

Since 2003 I have worked as independent Business Consultant, running my own company. My speciality is Business Continuity Planning, but have also been involved in a wide variety of other business administration activities both as a consultant and previously working in the Financial Services and Electronic Manufacturing sectors.

I live in Broxbourne and my main interest is watching sport of all types, having previously been an International Hockey Umpire

Jonny Spowart

Jonny Spowart Governor I joined the board of governors at Benington Primary School at the beginning of the academic year 2020/21 and it is a privilege to be able to play a part in the direction of this very special school.

My background is in education. I have been a teacher for 19 years and am currently Deputy Head Pastoral and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Heath Mount School, a co-educational prep school for children from the ages of 3-13. My wife is a TA at the school and together we run the girls boarding house. My eldest daughter is a pupil at Presdales School and my younger two are both at Heath Mount. Prior to Heath Mount I was Head of Boarding, Head of Year, and Head of Rugby at Dulwich Prep London for 10 years.

Lauren Thomas

I have been a parent governor at Benington school since October 2017 and have a special interest in all things curriculum based including the promotion of aspirations and challenge. I am an associate headteacher at a secondary school and try to use my experiences in education to contribute a useful perspective to the governing body. Outside of that I am a local resident in Benington and have two daughters at the school.

We absolutely love Benington and the girls are very lucky to go to such a caring and vibrant school with hugely talented and committed staff. I spend most of my spare time enjoying family life and keeping the girls entertained. I love cooking, gardening and all things literary – you might spot me reading a book in the sun with my cat if I can find the time!

Louise Beckham

I am honoured to have joined the school as a Foundation Governor in March 2018. Previously, I was a Benington parent, as both my children attended the school, and I’ve also taught French here. I’m a regular member of the congregation at St. Peter’s church, Benington.

I have been a secondary school teacher of German and French for 30 years, and I’m currently Head of German at a Christian Faith School in London. I hope to use this experience to support the children, staff and Governors at the school in all aspects of school life, but especially to support and encourage the school with its Christian ethos.

Rab Harley

I was recently appointed as the new Chair of Governors at Benington Primary School.

Originally from Edinburgh but have lived in Welwyn Herts for the past 35 years. I am married to Pat, we have three sons and six grandchildren.

I am fortunate to have had a long and successful career in financial services commuting for many years to London. Starting in a Stockbrokers in Edinburgh then became a Member of the London Stock Exchange and ended up on the main board of Kleinwort Benson, a major Investment bank.

My key responsibility was as Head of Worldwide operations with around 2000 staff covering all support functions. I also served on the executive committee of the Group covering all strategic activities. I was also involved in many other important banking/broker committees in the City.

Following my retirement from the City I have allocated large parts of my free time to a number of volunteering roles mostly in the local community.

I am currently a Run Director at Panshanger parkrun which attracts around 400 runners every Saturday morning. My wife and I like to travel the world and I still enjoy hill walking in the Lake District.