Ackworth School Committee

Mary Hartshorne

Member of the Committee since 2022, Clerk from September 2024.

I have been a Quaker all my life and am a member of Brant Broughton Meeting in Lincolnshire. I boarded at Ackworth in my sixth form.

A qualified speech and language therapist, I’ve always worked in special educational needs: in mainstream and special schools, director of a national children’s charity, running a training company, autism foundation adviser and trustee. I currently work for the tribunals service, sitting on SEND appeals panels.

I’m a keen cyclist, reluctant runner, avid reader, an obsessive foodie and sing for the joy of it.

Belinda Walters

A member of committee since 2023, Assistant Clerk from September 2025.

I am an old scholar of Ackworth (1975-82), and then graduated with a Law degree from Nottingham University before qualifying as a solicitor in London.

I am a commercial solicitor, currently working as General Counsel for a technology business. I have worked both in solicitors firms and in-house during more than 30 years of legal practice.

I am married with an adult son and live on the Isle of Wight.

Verity Watts

Awaiting bio

Andy Penman

Member of the Committee (2022), Clerk of the Education/Pastoral Committee (2023).

A birthright Quaker, I am a member of Bridport Meeting in Dorset. I am a former Ackworth staff child: my father taught English at the school in the late 1960’s and brother and sister both attended the school.

I am a retired headteacher (both mainstream and special schools), National Leader of Education and Ofsted inspector. Currently CEO of an association of 175 special schools in the SW, providing conferencing, training and support. I am training to become a magistrate.

I have a large family and I enjoy DIY/woodturning, walking, reading and singing.

Andy Whiteley

Awaiting bio

Shaz Quereshi

I returned to serving Ackworth in 2026, after leaving as Head Boy in 1974. I’m keen to give back, using my 40-years in global technology and commerce to help secure the School’s future.

At Siemens, IBM, Oracle, and Rackspace, I drove global teams and opened multiple markets. I founded SalesTrainingOnline to widen access to government qualifications. I’m a Companion of the Institute-of-Sales-Professionals and Founding Fellow of the UK-Sales-Association.

Quaker values and commercial sense go hand-in-hand, my focus is on financial strength to fund bursaries and education.

I live in Amersham with my wife, we have two grown-up children. We all enjoy sport, travel, and wine-tasting.

Guy Townsend

Awaiting bio

Stephen Bunney

I was born in 1956 into a long established Quaker Family. Whilst both my parents’ families had multiple connections with Ackworth School I boarded at Bootham School, York for my secondary education.

After A levels and University, I trained to be a teacher specialising in Geography and latterly in Special Education Needs concentrating on dyslexia and behavioural issues. For 40 years I worked in residential boarding schools: Sidcot and Sibford Quaker Schools and De Aston School, Market Rasen a state comprehensive.

Since retirement I have become increasingly involved in local politics in Lincolnshire as a Liberal Democrat District and County Councillor.

Angus Wells

Member of School Committee since 2024. A member of the Education/Pastoral subcommittee with oversight of Coram House and early years education.

I am a member of Wensleydale and Swaledale Area Meeting. For a number of years I represented my Area Meeting at Ackworth General Meeting and came to know the school well. I was then and still am very impressed by the feel of the school as a place where Quaker values are taught and lived out daily. Now retired, I was a secondary school teacher of Religious Education.

In retirement I enjoy time in the garden and allotment, walking, and language learning.

Sal Wright

Member of Committee since 2023.

I attended Ackworth 1988-95, boarding in my final year as Head Girl. I have volunteered for Old Scholars since I left and organise the annual Easter Gathering.

An eclectic employment pathway led me to working with young people. I was a youth worker for many years, before swapping my safeguarding hat for a fundraising role for youth charities. I now run my own music business in Hampshire and teach at a girls’ boarding school and village primary school.

When not renovating an old Victorian cottage, I enjoy sailing, walking and all things musical!

Janet Blann

Awaiting bio

Nikki Armstrong

Member of the Committee since 2026 and an old boarding scholar, 1976-81. Quakerism and my time at Ackworth still play a very important part in my life.

Qualified as a Secondary School teacher in 1988 and enjoyed a career in excellent establishments, one being a state faith school. I had roles in Youth Work and moved out to live in France for 12 years where I ran a small business.

Sport has played a significant role in my life. I was lucky enough to play county Hockey and Cricket and club football. I had a volunteer role at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025 and enjoy helping out at our local National sailing academy in Weymouth with Disability sailing.

Retirement allows me the privilege of walking the dog, reading, creating and sadly, supporting the real passion of my life, Nottingham Forest!