Templewood School Governing Body

Governor Profiles 

Nick Kingesley-Johnson 

Helen Pendell BSc. (Hons), M.Dip, PGCE, NASENCO.

Helen Pendell has been a Governor at Templewood for the past four years. She is Chair of School Improvement Committee and has responsibility for Safeguarding and SEND. Helen lives locally in Welwyn Garden City and has three children. She is a teacher at Aldwickbury School where she teaches English to Years 5 & 6, is a Deputy Designated Safeguarding & Mental Health Lead, as well as their SENCO. She also has responsibility for Community Links and Educational Outreach. Prior to doing her PGCE, and retraining as a teacher, Helen worked at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in London and Hong Kong, specialising in Marketing Communications. She has a BSc. Hons from the University of Liverpool, a Postgraduate diploma in Marketing and the National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination.

Hillary Skoczylas MA, PCGE

Hillary was elected as Parent Governor in May 2022. As a qualified primary school teacher and former school Senior Leadership Team (SLT) member she uses her experience as part of Templewood’s School Improvement Committee. 

Hillary holds a BA in Education and a PGCE from the University of Cambridge, and an MA in Education and International Development from the Institute of Education, UCL. 

Within schools she has taught across all primary age groups and has held the role of Head of Music and Head of ICT.  Hillary has also worked within education systems internationally, most notable for the British Council as Programme Manager of nationwide English language teacher training and assessments in Rwanda. 

Hillary has a daughter currently in Reception (2021-22) and looks forward to her son joining Templewood in September 2023. 

Sharon Irvine 

My name is Sharon Irvine. I have been working at Templewood School for almost 13 years now as a teaching assistant. I am a staff governor for Templewood school since 2018. 

My time at Templewood has been great, and having been a governor for almost 4 years now too is so interesting and helps me to make more of a contribution to the school as well.

I have lived in Welwyn Garden City all my life. I went to school and college in WGC. I am married and have 3 grown up children and a dog called Cleo. Spending days out and taking holidays with my family are my favourite things to do and taking long walks as well. I love crafts and anything arty and love to sing! 

Jonathan Essex BA (Hons), PG Dip, DipArb, MRICS

Jonathan Essex was elected as a parent Governor in March 2021 and lives in Welwyn Garden City with his wife and their two children, who both attend Templewood. He is a member of the Resources Committee and is the link Governor for premises and health & safety matters. 

Jonathan is a Chartered Surveyor working in central London for a large international property services firm and undertakes rent review and lease renewal negotiations on commercial property for clients in the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors. 

He also acts as an expert witness in disputes and is on the RICS Chairman’s panel of dispute resolvers acting as an Independent Expert or Arbitrator to settle rent review and lease renewal disputes.

Gavin Johnstone

Gavin Johnstone was co-opted as a governor in June 2022 and takes responsibility for the Finance role. He is himself a former Templewood pupil and now lives locally in Welwyn Garden City. His older son joined the Nursery class at Easter 2022 and is part of the September 2022 Reception intake. 

Professionally, Gavin is a qualified actuary (financial statistician) and works in the insurance industry - he hopes to put those numerical skills to good use in his role on the Governing Body. 

Outside work, Gavin is very busy looking after his two young children, together with his wife. Gavin holds two degrees in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge.

Katharine Lovell BSc.(Hons), PGCE, NPQH

Katharine Lovell has been a Governor at Templewood since December 2018; initially as a parent Governor but now as a co-opted governor since 2022. Katharine is the Vice Chair of our Governing Board. She is a member of the School Improvement Committee and has specific responsibility for Early Years and the PE Premium. 

Katharine lives locally in WGC and has two boys. Her eldest son has just finished Y6 and left Templewood whilst her youngest is going into Y6.

Katharine has considerable school experience having worked in both secondary and primary phases and she is currently Headteacher at Dallow Primary School in Luton. Prior to completing her PGCE and retraining as a teacher, Katharine was a police officer in the Metropolitan Police Service. 

Katherine Martindill 

Katherine Martindill has been the Headteacher at Templewood Primary School since September 2021. Before that, Katherine was the Assistant Headteacher for 3 years and Deputy Headteacher for 7 years at Creswick Primary and Nursery School, Welwyn Garden City.  Katherine originally began teaching in Stevenage and always knew that was what she wanted to do. As Headteacher, she holds the children’s best interests at the heart of everything that the school does and recognises each child as an individual.  

Katherine lives locally in St. Albans with her partner who is an Innovation & Experience Director, and they have two young children.