Helen is our Music Teacher, and leads the Creative Arts team at Roman Fields. She started her career in 1999, and has a wealth of experience of teaching at Key Stages 2, 3 & 4. She completed the National Professional Qualification for Middle Leadership in 2013.

Helen studied music from a young age and plays a number of different instruments, which she enjoys teaching to others. She is passionate about her work and about providing the best possible care and education opportunities for the pupils she works with.

Tiff has worked in secondary art education for over 27 years, across Hertfordshire and Essex, teaching GCSE and A Level, Art & Photography.  She has been a Head of Department, a Lead Practitioner and an exam moderator for AQA over her career.  Tiff has worked at JMA since the provision began and loves working with our young people, watching them grow in ability and confidence.

She prides herself on having excellent subject knowledge and a wide range of expertise in many different techniques and processes.

In her spare time, Tiff attends pottery classes where she is learning how to throw on a wheel, and she attends gym and yoga classes. 

Dinah is the Science Lead at Roman Fields. She has many years of experience in teaching Science up to GCSE level and her specialism, which is Biology, up to A level.

Dinah started her teaching career in Hackney and having taught in a number of different types of schools as both Science and Pastoral Leads, joined the Roman Fields provision 12 years ago. Within the provision, she has initiated and established a Science department which has grown in size and success to cover courses up to GCE A level.

Dom is a teacher of maths with over 20 years of experience in both mainstream and specialist provisions, supporting pupils to reach their potential from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5. 

Dom is passionate about teaching mathematics, investing time and effort in pupils to help them achieve their potential.

Dom is an extremely keen swimmer as he finds this keeps him both physically and mentally fit. He has run marathons and competed in cycling time trials. Dom finds setting personal targets, both short and long term, helps with motivation and he applies the same model in supporting pupils to meet their own targets and achieve personal challenges.

Jane qualified as a teacher in 1977. She worked in one school from 1979 to 2000, gaining experience in working across a range of ages in the First and Middle school. She was part of a curricular team within Humanities, also taking responsibility for PE as subject lead.

Jane then worked across a selection of schools, gaining experience within different community settings, which included working within the special needs sector at nursery, primary and secondary level. Using all of her previous experience, she ran a special needs unit which ultimately led her to working at Roman Fields.

Cara has been a Tutor at Roman Fields for over five years and teaches Cooking and Sport.

With several years’ experience, Cara previously worked in a local Special Educational Needs secondary school and a college within their Foundation department.  Educated to Degree level and as a qualified Dance Instructor, Cara has also introduced a weekly Dance class with a small group of pupils here.

Cara enjoys practical subjects and likes to create a fun, friendly learning environment for everybody. She believes that developing positive relationships with the pupils is hugely important.

Ian worked for a local electrical contractor, where he completed a City & Guilds apprenticeship in Electrical Installation. He then moved into the fields of electronics and electro-mechanical assembly working for companies in the military, aerospace and transport sectors. After a number of years, Ian returned to the world of electrical installation, running his own small electrical contracting business, taking on apprentices and so putting back something into the industry.

Having always had an avid interest in motorsport, and particularly motorcycles, Ian diversified and began working for a company that specialised in both racing car and race motorcycle preparation as a mechanic and as workshop supervisor; then, later moving on to work for Triumph motorcycles in sales and workshop positions and more recently, to run his own business restoring classic Italian motor scooters, which is another of his obsessions.

Ian is passionate about helping to change pupils' lives by helping them to fulfil their potential by building positive relationships, developing practical skills, and growing resilience and confidence through personalised tuition built around individual special interests and aspirations for the future.  

Ruth Davies is a Technology Tutor, with experience of working in both schools and colleges. 

Ruth qualified as a Teacher, with a degree from Swansea University. She started working in St Albans as a teacher of Design and Technology.

In 2014, she started working in Oakland’s College with pupils in the Supported Learning Department. She has worked at Roman Fields since 2016.

Liesa joined Roman Fields in September, 2021.  She attained a degree in English Literature and History from The University of Leicester and has since gone on to complete a teaching qualification.  

Prior to joining Roman Fields, she worked at a Further Education college, initially supporting SEN pupils, then moving on to teach GCSE and Functional Skills English to both adults and young people.  She enjoys seeing pupils flourish and develop their confidence in the subject.

Liesa likes to keep herself fit by dog walking, Pilates, meditation and trips to the gym. 

My working background is one that began in Customer Service progressing through to Accountancy.

My move into education coincided with my youngest child starting school.  Prior to working in schools, I volunteered reading with children and as a governor of my local primary school.  

My previous experience is based in primary schools, working 1 to 1 predominately with children with autism. I qualified as a HLTA in 2020 leading to my continued 1 to 1 role plus covering classes and PPA cover; teaching art/craft, Spanish and many others.

My passions outside of work are first and foremost my family, learning to ice-skate, sewing and all things sparkly 

Svetlana joined the James Marks Academy Trust in September 2024 as a Science and Maths teacher. She has over 20 years of teaching experience with subject specialism in Biology taught to KS5 level.

Svetlana has extensive teaching experience gained in a number of secondary state and private schools in Hertfordshire and Essex. She feels very passionate about learning and building pupils' confidence in her subjects. She loves gardening, animals and travelling. 

Annika Etches started at James Marks Academy in September 2024 as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant. Formerly a Hotel and Restaurant General Manager, she is passionate about training and development.

She is excited about transferring her skills to teaching children and has experience with SEN and SEMH children personally

Annika has keen subject interests in Art, Design and Humanities and is looking forward to working with our children and families.

Jane Fox is a PSHE teacher at Roman Fields. Her role includes leading on the Personal, Social and Health Education which is an integral part of the curriculum, with each pupil having a bespoke curriculum designed to meet their needs.

Jane has had a long and varied working life, including working for a Member of Parliament and many years in the voluntary sector for Save the Children. Jane came to teaching later in life, completing her PGCE at Bristol University in 2014, before moving to Roman Fields in 2016 as part of a move to be near her son who opened CrossFit Aylesbury. 

She is also a CrossFit Level 2 coach and a keen competitive Cross Fitter and Masters Weightlifter.

Georgine joined James Marks Academy Trust in September 2025 as an English teacher. An avid reader, she is passionate about literature and enjoys sharing this with others. In her spare time, she enjoys playing chess, long walks in the countryside and spending time with her daughters. 

Steve Harwood joined James Marks Academy in September 2023 as Head of Maths. 

Caroline attained her degree in Geography at the University of Lancaster, before completing her PGCE in 2006. She has predominantly taught Maths and Geography, across key stages 3, 4 and 5, in mainstream and specialist schools, both in the UK and abroad.

Prior to joining Roman Fields in 2018, Caroline completed her Masters in Educational Leadership and Management, and was Head of the Maths and Humanities Faculty in a mainstream school in Shropshire.

Caroline values the importance of building positive relationships with pupils to support their social, emotional, and academic growth. She is always striving to inspire our pupils to be the best they can be. Caroline is proud to be part of such a dedicated, dynamic, and caring team.

Natalie joined James Marks Academy in September 2024 as a Teaching Assistant.

Prior to this, she ran a small art business from home. Although new to working in a school environment, Natalie is excited about the experience and is eager to make a positive impact. She loves inspiring creativity in children and young adults. Her energy and fresh ideas make learning fun and enriching across many subjects.

In her spare time, Natalie enjoys reading, painting and watching films.

Paul has worked at Roman Fields since 2008. His background is mainly in catering; from starting work in a hotel aged 16, he took on his first head chef role within four years.

He has worked in most types of catering roles, from hotels to industrial catering and restaurants. He then started working for Herts county council with young people. 

In the early 1990s, he was running education projects for pupils who had dropped out of the education system. Since joining Roman Fields, he has combined his love of cooking with his experience of working with pupils.

Sarah has worked in education for over 20 years. She has a keen interest in conservation and studied Environmental Science at university.

She worked in both the Horticulture and Animal Care industries before training to become a teacher. After working in mainstream Secondary Education, she moved to a land-based college teaching Animal Care, Horticulture and Countryside.

In her spare time she enjoys exploring nature, and she loves to share these passions with young people.

Hayley has successfully led a large Social Science department for fifteen years and has contributed to school and Geography governance boards, alongside her role as a Specialist Classroom Teacher. Her teaching is grounded in evidence-based practice, with a strong focus on explicit instruction and clear modelling to support student success. She is committed to professional growth and stays engaged with current research and best practice through reading, webinars, podcasts, online communities of practice, and close links with subject associations.

Outside of school, Hayley loves to travel and is a keen runner. 

Chris came into teaching after 20 years in the IT sector, providing technical services and support to national and multinational companies. He has returned to the classroom to share his experience and curiosity about all things technical, which all began with many long hours spent on home computers in his youth. He is currently teaching ICT, Computer Science and Electronics 

Mary is the Autism Lead at the Roman Fields Academy. Mary has had experience in mainstream schools as Head of Department, Head of Faculty and Pastoral lead, prior to her appointment at Roman Fields in 2015.

She is a dedicated, passionate, enthusiastic and experienced teacher. Mary has always put the educational aspirations, and the social and emotional welfare of pupils at the heart of her teaching.  A holistic approach is key to her interaction with pupils.  

Mary has always had a passion for building relationships with pupils, and their parents and carers, and has always believed that, with the right support, pupils can go on to fulfil their brightest aspirations.  This belief inspires her passion to help pupils have faith in themselves, and in the strength and resilience that lies within them.

Mark has worked as a Sports Tutor at Roman Fields for seven years. During this time, he has helped a large number of pupils improve their health, fitness, and positive views of themselves.

This support and positive reinforcement has not deterred him from thrashing them at pool during lunchtimes.

Faye is an experienced English teacher and has been Head of Faculty for six years across two large secondary schools in Surrey and Hertfordshire. She prides herself on her subject and general knowledge and loves to learn more through reading a wide range of material, from literary fiction to biography, mythology to neuroscience.   

A nature enthusiast, Faye enjoys spending time walking in the countryside, cycling and camping, alongside weight lifting, baking, listening to music and podcasts.

Faye is a supportive, kind person who aims to build positive relationships with pupils, which are built on understanding and trust, to support their academic and personal growth.

Enter description

Liz has taught Food and Nutrition in a variety of educational settings in a career spanning over 20 years. Food is an essential part of her life, enhancing and developing recipes and her own cooking skills, to bring out fun and enjoyment both for school and her friends and family

Liz is also passionate about swimming, whether she is in the pool, open water or teaching others to swim, passing on her love for the sport.

Chris has over 28 years of teaching experience across both mainstream and specialist schools. He holds an MA in English Language from Lancaster University and has a particular passion for language variation and how it changes over time. Throughout his career, he has taught across the full age and ability range and is deeply committed to ensuring that every student achieves their full potential in both English Language and English Literature. He fosters confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning in his classroom.

Outside of teaching, Chris enjoys playing snooker and spending time outdoors. He particularly loves walking the family’s Border Terrier, especially in the beautiful surroundings of the Lake District, where he can relax and enjoy the landscape.

Gail joined Roman Fields Academy in 2022 as our Art Tutor. She has an eclectic range of skills having studied Maths & IT, but as her passion from a young age was Art, she later attended a variety of courses at West Herts College.

Gail has 16 years of experience working in schools & 10 of these as a school Governor. She enjoyed designing & creating the end of year production scenery for over a decade. For the last 4 years, she was responsible for the maintenance of the IT systems in her previous school. In addition, she tutors Maths to GCSE level.

She believes art is a great tool for improving expression, concentration and communication as well as being therapeutic, so hopes to develop these skills with those students she works with.

Kate is a science teacher at Roman Fields. She joined after many years teaching in secondary schools in London and Hertfordshire. Her specialism is biology and she is an experienced A level teacher.

An advocate of outdoor education, Kate has helped lead many Duke of Edinburgh expeditions to locations including the Lake District and Snowdonia. Ask her about playing the saxophone, Parkrun or baking!

Sophie is the Science Lead at James Marks Academy.  Sophie joined the James Marks Academy Trust working at our Roman Fields site as an experienced Science Teacher as prior to joining our Trust she was part of the faculty leadership team at a large secondary school. Sophie has taught science across Key Stage 3 and 4, and BTEC Applied Science and Medical Science at post-16.

She is a biology specialist and loves to enhance young people's understanding of the world around them.

Sophie is a keen equestrian, having studied Equine Science at University and has represented the county at team competitions. 

Sophie is a kind, approachable person who aims to build positive and supportive relationships with pupils which support their academic and personal growth.

Faye Williams joined James Marks Academy in September 2025 as an Higher Level Teacher Assistant. Faye’s work spans integration, classroom support and welfare. Faye is experienced in this space having previously worked for many years in a primary school setting. 

With over 25 years of experience working with children and families, Faye has worked in a wide range of settings. Her career has included managing day nurseries, working as a nanny for twins, and serving as an Outreach Worker in a children’s centre, where she supported young children and their families on a range of matters including children’s health,  education, child behaviour support, budgeting, and housing.

Outside of school, Faye has a passion for dance and has recently taken up ballet. She has performed alongside her daughters in two shows and successfully completed her Grade 1, 2 and 3 ballet examinations.

David joined at the start of 2024. David has worked with young people and adults in many different learning environments often supporting individuals with a range of special needs. He is a keen sportsman and is an experienced rugby coach working with Rugbytots over the last 10 years and coaching at his club where he still plays. Has a wealth of knowledge as coached in many different sports clubs and summer activity schemes. Also his favourite hobby is travelling the world and going to new places with friends or family

I started out teaching English as a foreign language.

I have worked for many years as a cover supervisor in mainstream secondary schools.

I've been in education for 25 years now.  In that time I have also worked with SEN pupils in a variety of roles in units and special schools.

Although the roles have differed over the years my commitment and love of building strong working relationships with young people has remained the same since day one. 

I'm a great believer in the fact that better learning and resilience building can be achieved if the pupils enjoy the school experience.

It's important to me that my interactions with pupils are always thought provoking and yes, I love making young people laugh.