Our Governance

We are currently seeking local governors, please visit the link below for further information. 

Further information and application form

Roselands Primary School is part of Danes Educational Trust. The Danes Educational Trust Board has responsibility for the operation of the Trust, but delegates some of the responsibilities to a local level. Therefore, schools within the Trust have a School Board, comprising local Governors. The School Board holds 4 meetings per year.

For goveranance documents and financial information about the Trust, including the school's funding agreement please see the Trust website using the link below.

Visit Danes Educational Trust Website
To contact the Governors of Roselands Primary School, please email chair@roselands.herts.sch.uk

Rob McCarthy, Chair of Governors

Rob retired in 2017 after nearly 40 years of service with the UK Government’s Environment Agency as a civil engineering major projects programme manager. Projects included Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Heathrow Airport Terminal 5, Crossrail, 2012 Olympics, Thames Tideway Tunnel, along with many flood risk projects in Herts, Essex and North London, advising nationally on the management of major infrastructure projects (HS2, Nuclear Power, Northern Powerhouse). He was Area Duty Manager responsible for incident management in the region, dealing with flooding, waste fires, and radioactive incidents.

Rob was the London Regional lead for diversity and inclusion, formulating the strategy and policies, now implemented nationally. A qualified health and safety auditor, incident investigator, and investigating officer relating to disciplinary matters. A member of the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management and the Chartered Management Institute.

Voluntary roles include being a governor at Cranbourne Primary School since 2001 (currently Chair of Local Governing Body) and became a Trustee of The Hoddesdon School Trust on its incorporation in September 2016. A scout leader in Hoddesdon, Independent Custody Visitor at Hertfordshire Police Authority, Ambassador for several children’s charities.

Rob was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s New Years Honours list 2018 for services to the Environment and the local community.

Appointed governor

Term of office: from 26 September 2023 to 25 September 2027

Emma Benzal Fowler, Headteacher

Emma is a mother of two, who has worked in Education for over 25 years. She has worked in a variety of schools from a very small Hertfordshire school with only 3 classes to a 4 form entry school in north London.  She has also taught at Herts Regional College as a Spanish Teacher and used to run her own business: Casablanca School of Spanish. Prior to that, Emma was an Account Manager for an adverting agency in London. 

Emma has also worked for the London central and NW Maths Hub as an Assistant Maths Hub lead and is a Maths Mastery Specialist.  She has helped many schools in London to develop a teaching for Mastery approach.  She is extremely passionate about ensuring all children thrive and enjoy their learning.

Rachel Semak, Headteacher, The Cranbourne Primary School

Rachel joined Cranbourne in 1991 after working at two other Hertfordshire schools and has been at Cranbourne ever since! After a five year stint as deputy head, Rachel became headteacher in January 2008. She has an absolute passion for helping children reach the highest possible standards in their learning and for broadening their horizons by giving them experiences they may not get outside school. She has supported other schools as consultant deputy and executive headteacher, and mentors new headteachers as a Herts Professional Partner. She sits on the board of HABS (our local Family Support Worker team), is Chair of the local consortium of schools, and sits on Primary Heads' Forum which represents all headteachers in Hertfordshire. She is a Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching.

Nicholas Ince, Parent governor

Nicholas is currently a Director within the NHS focussing on preventative healthcare. His work includes promoting wellness and reducing risk factors to help people live healthier, longer lives.

Prior to working within the NHS he worked within both higher education and the leisure industry. He is a local boy, having attended The John Warner School before studying at Brunel University.

Nicholas has two children who both attend The Roselands Primary School. His School Board responsibilities will include pupil premium and looked after children.

Term of office: from 6 March 2025 to 5 March 2029

Emma Milo,  Parent governor

Emma is an Assistant Headteacher at Haileybury College with responsibility for professional development and EDI. Before this role she spent 6 years as a boarding housemistress.

Prior to becoming a teacher she worked as a physiotherapist. She studied psychology at Durham University and physiotherapy and University of Essex. Emma enjoys sport and has played cricket for Essex. She has a son in Year 3 at Roselands.

Term of office: from 6 March 2025 to 5 March 2029

Stacey Ward, Appointed governor

Stacey has worked in education for the past 14 years, during this time she has dedicated most of her career to working in a special educational needs school and this is her passion. Stacey recently completed a BA Hons in early childhood education and currently works as a family support worker and has two children who attend Roselands School.

Term of office: from 3 July 2025 to 2 July 2029

Wendy Norton - Staff governor

Term of office: appointed 29 September 2025, term ends 28 September 2029

Nicola Reece - Appointed governor appointed

Term of office: from 1 October 2025, term ends 30 September 2029

Murray Bruce , Appointed Governor

Murray joined the board as a Co-Opted Governor in early 2023, bringing with him expertise and experience from both the private and public sectors.

Murray has over a decade of experience in teaching, training and facilitation. He is currently a teacher at a local primary school in the Borough of Broxbourne and brings the unique perspective of serving in two educational systems, having immigrated from Australia to the UK in 2016. He holds a Master of Teaching (Primary) as well as a Bachelor of Communication and a Certificate IV in Government Procurement. Previously he has held roles in training and organisational development in the insurance sector, as well as project management and intelligence analysis with the Australian Department of Defence. He is formerly a qualified Rescue Boat Driver and Beach Patrol Captain for Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club, Australia. He is married and has two children at Cranbourne Primary.

Term of office: 9 March 2023 to 08 March 2027

Emma Foxcroft, Parent Governor

Emma has been a Parent Governor at Cranbourne since November 2018 and has a child in the school. She works for Hertfordshire County Council in the Growth and Environment Directorate, on Procurement and Contract Management projects. Previously she has been involved in young people’s organisations as a sports coach and youth leader. Now as a parent she is interested in how the strategic management of the school affects the day to day experience and learning for the children at Cranbourne. 

Term of office: 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2026

Mary Stevenson, Staff governor

Mary has been teaching for over 30 years, many of them have spent very happily at The Cranbourne School. Mary currently works part-time across both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, which gives her the opportunity to teach a wide range of subjects and to work with children of different ages. She enjoys the variety this brings and takes great pride in supporting pupils as they grow in confidence and develop new skills.

Outside of school, Mary enjoys walking her dog and spending time outdoors, which gives her a chance to relax and recharge. 

Term of office: from 22 September 2025 to 21 September 2029

Christina Whellams , Parent Governor

Christina became a governor in November 2018 and has one daughter at the school. She currently has the additional responsibility of safeguarding governor. She has previously worked in higher education, is a qualified swimming instructor, and clerk for Stanstead St Margaret's Parish Council. She is pleased to be on the School Board helping to create the best educational experiences for the children,  planning the school’s long-term direction, and evaluating progress.

Term of office: 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2026

Roselands Primary School Governor Attendance Record 2024- 2025

Register of Interests Cranbourne and Roselands 15th Oct 2025