Governor Profiles

I have lived in Nazeing with my family for nearly 30 years and have been proud to support the school throughout its journey to achieving a Good Ofsted rating. As a working mum, I was actively involved in fundraising through the Parents' Association and have always valued the important role that schools play within the local community.

My career began in the private sector, where I spent many years with a high street retailer in managerial, marketing and training roles. After my daughter was born, I changed career to teaching, combining my passion for education with supporting young people to reach their potential.

More recently, I have semi-retired after spending the last four years working part-time for a charity, delivering projects that support the financial wellbeing and mental health of local residents. This role has strengthened my understanding of the challenges families can face and the importance of community partnerships in helping people thrive.

My daughter attended the school and, thanks to the encouragement and dedication of her teachers, went on to graduate from university and now works for the NHS. Seeing first-hand the positive impact that education can have inspired me to become a school governor.

Becoming a school governor has given me the opportunity to contribute to the education and future opportunities of children in our community. I am passionate about supporting the school with its continued development, working collaboratively with staff and fellow governors, helping to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive and achieve their potential.

I am Co-Chair of Governors at Robert Barclay Academy. I live locally and have a child in primary school, so I care deeply about the community the school serves, and the role education plays in shaping confident, happy, and resilient young people.

Alongside my role as a governor, I work in retail transformation at Sainsbury’s. Over the past 20 years, I’ve held senior leadership roles at organisations including Marks & Spencer and GAP Inc.. In my time at Marks & Spencer, I worked with Chief of Staff accountability to the Retail Director, with experience across strategy, governance of a 600+ store estate, and leading a £90m flagship store. Throughout my career, my focus has been on driving operational excellence, leading transformation and developing talent.

I’m particularly passionate about inclusion and making sure everyone feels supported to succeed. I’ve been involved in gender inclusion networks, sponsored a graduate cohort, and have spent much of my career mentoring colleagues—particularly those from under-represented groups. Supporting young people to achieve their full potential is something I care deeply about.

Personally, I value resilience, goal-setting, and continuous improvement—something I’ve developed through challenges such as completing the London Marathon twice for charity. I bring this mindset into my role as a governor, alongside a strong belief in supporting and constructively challenging school leaders to achieve the best outcomes for all pupils.

I am currently in my second term as a governor at RBA, I have been a governor for 11 years.

My son was a student for 5 years at the school. I know how much they did for him and his future.

I joined the board of governors as a way to give back and help improve the outcome for other students. The school has given so much to the community and I hope to contribute as well.

As a head chef, I have experience in health and safety, food hygiene and finance. After 11 years, I have gained knowledge in other areas of the school.  

At RBA, we are lucky to have a great headteacher and leadership team. Governors are here to be a critical friend and help in any way we can

I am a dedicated parent of a student at Robert Barclay Academy and a long standing resident of the area, I am deeply invested in high quality education and strong outcomes for every learner. As a parent, I understand the daily realities families face, balancing aspirations for our children with practical steps to support their growth, wellbeing, and future opportunities.

With over 25 years in the plumbing, heating, and gas industry, I progressed from an apprenticeship at 16 to gas qualification and registration at 19, this was followed by supervisory and project management roles. This hands on experience translates into a practical, real world perspective on skills, safety, and career pathways that can benefit our students as they prepare for trades, technical roles, or further study.

Since 2019, I have worked as a qualified Trainer and Assessor, designing and delivering programmes that build technical competence and uphold professional standards. In 2022, I joined the Gas Safe Register as a Gas Inspector and Investigator, conducting compliance inspections and supporting engineers to meet rigorous safety and quality requirements. I aim to support the school and leadership in sustaining the high expectations already in place.

I am a Parent Governor with a daughter who has just completed her GCSEs at RBA. We live locally.

I am a retired Credit Risk Head with a Global Investment Bank.

Alongside my role as a Governor I sit on the Scholars Educational Trust Finance Committee, and a Charity Trustee, and a member of a national Adult Criminal Courts Committee.

Melissa Cummings-Quarry is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and senior local government leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, service development, and organisational leadership. She is also the author of Grown: The Black Girls’ Guide to Glowing Up, an inspirational self-help book for young Black women and those who love them.

As a Strategic Business Development Manager, Melissa leads complex services and transformation programmes across two London boroughs, with responsibility for business development, operational performance, governance, partnership working and continuous improvement. She has significant experience of managing large teams, delivering organisational change and developing strategies that improve outcomes for residents and communities.

Alongside her public sector career, Melissa is widely recognised as an author and co-founder of Black Girls Book Club, an organisation established to promote literacy, representation and a love of reading among young people. 

Through her writing and advocacy, Melissa has worked to increase representation in literature, promote literacy and inspire young people to realise their potential 

Melissa brings to the Governing Board a combination of strategic leadership, governance, commercial awareness and communications expertise. She is passionate about supporting young people and helping ensure that every student has access to high-quality education, opportunities and experiences that prepare them for successful futures.

As a dedicated primary school teacher with over 20 years of experience, I have served as both a Key Stage Leader and an English Subject Leader. I was also staff governor in my previous school for over 10 years. I live and work in Hoddesdon and love being part of such a welcoming community. I am currently pursuing the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership to further develop my career. I am a proud parent of two daughters at Robert Barclay Academy—one in Year 7 and one in Year 9. I’m excited to bring my experience and ongoing studies to gain a deeper understanding of the school’s needs and offer my support in any way I can. I look forward to supporting the academy’s vision and fostering a thriving environment for all students.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, going for dog walks, and going to the gym. I have recently set myself a challenge to read 100 books in a year.