Our Team | Roots Federation

The Roots team put children at the heart of all our decisions. From developing provision for children with SEN to curriculum design and implementation, we bring together a diverse set of skills to create educational excellence. We are always ready to make the changes needed to give children the start they deserve. Our headteachers, Gemma and Hayley, successfully federated the three nurseries resulting in the rapid improvement of one of the settings. They know how to make the tough decisions early years need to thrive. Find out more about them below

Executive Headteacher

Gemma Williamson

Executive Headteacher, Roots Federation

Gemma Williamson is an accomplished and dedicated leader in Early Years education. Before the federation of the three nursery schools, she served as the sole Headteacher of Muriel Green Nursery School in St Albans. Gemma brings a wealth of experience across the Early Years sector, having previously led the Foundation Stage at Laurence Haines Primary School in Watford. Her expertise was recognised by the Local Authority, who appointed her as a Leading Teacher—a role in which she supported schools across Hertfordshire to enhance the quality of their Early Years provision.

In 2017, Gemma became Headteacher of Muriel Green Nursery and, in the same year, achieved the National SENDCo Award (Special Educational Needs Co‑ordinator). In January 2021, she began working with Oxhey Early Years in a consultancy capacity, supporting the Headteachers in post at the time. Her strategic vision later created the opportunity for Heath Lane Nursery School in Hemel Hempstead to form a collaborative partnership, strengthening leadership and provision across settings.

Gemma serves as a governor at two maintained primary schools in Hertfordshire, ensuring she remains connected to educational developments beyond the Early Years phase. She also contributes to several boards that advocate for the needs and sustainability of maintained nursery schools locally and nationally.

In recognition of her commitment to inclusive practice, Gemma was named SENDCo of the Year in 2024. She has also achieved the National Professional Qualification for Executive Leadership (NPQEL), a programme that strengthens leadership by shifting focus from day‑to‑day operational management to strategic, trust‑wide influence and impact.

Driven by a deeply held belief that children do not get a second chance at preparing for adulthood, Gemma ensures this principle sits at the heart of every decision, policy, and practice she leads. She has extensive consultancy experience both within and beyond Hertfordshire, supporting early years settings, maintained nursery schools, and primary schools to strengthen leadership, provision, and outcomes for children.

Consultancy Team

Annette Norris - Head of School (Oxhey)

Annette joins the Federation with a background spanning 22 years in education. However, she started her Early Years journey long before this, working in daycare nurseries in her hometown of Carlisle. Annette relocated to the South and has worked across three schools in Essex, In her first school she was promoted quite quickly to Early Years Phase Leader; in her second school she was employed as the Assistant Head teacher for Early Years and Key Stage1 and more recently a seven year Headship of a Primary School with Nursery attached. Annette is a passionate and dedicated leader, she comes from a long line of school development success. She has supported Primary schools and Early Years centres to ensure provision and education is of a high quality through training and development. Annette Joins the Federation as Head of School for Oxhey Nursery School.

Kirstie Viner - Head of School (Muriel Green)

Kirstie has been teaching for over 13 years across schools in both London and Hertfordshire. She specialises in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and has a wealth of experience working with young children at the very start of their learning journey. Throughout her career, Kirstie has taught in both Nursery and Reception classes, led Early Years provision as an EYFS Leader, and is an experienced Assistant Head Teacher. She is passionate about creating exciting, nurturing, and purposeful learning environments that give every child the best possible start to their education.

Clare Herbert- Head of School (Heath Lane) & Inclusion Leader

Clare has worked in primary education for over 20 years. She began her career in Newcastle and Atlanta, USA, although she has spent most of her time in Hertfordshire schools. She worked as a senior leader and head teacher in several schools. She has also worked to support teachers across schools in Hertfordshire as an Advanced Skills Teacher and a Continued Professional Development Lead.

Clare holds a doctorate in education from The University of Cambridge. Her research focuses upon school improvement, in particular developing professional capital through the Lesson Study cycle. She has supported many teachers to further their academic studies and has tutored on the HertsCam masters program.

Clare is passionate about inclusion and supporting children and their families to experience success. She prioritises this through her roles as Head of School at Heath Lane Nursery and Inclusion Leader for Roots Federation.

School Improvement Leads

Emma Mitchell
Muriel Green

Emma has worked for nearly a decade in Early Years settings across Hertfordshire, predominantly working in Nursery and Reception classes but also with experience of KS1.
Last year Emma moved into the Federation to take on a a key leadership role at Heath Lane Nursery (one of our federation schools) before bringing her experience as Senior Teacher here to Muriel Green. She is passionate about curriculum development and is an integral part of the curriculum development team. Emma enjoys getting to know each family and is experienced in providing bespoke support enabling all to thrive.

Sarah Pollen
Muriel Green

Sarah has been a teacher in Hertfordshire for ten years. She worked as a Senior Teacher and Mental Health Lead in a large, three-form-entry school in Stevenage, before moving to Muriel Green. Sarah has a passion for supporting young people and their families in their educational journey and in promoting a sense of joy and curiosity around learning. Sarah has a special interest and expertise in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children in the early years, helping them to thrive in their setting.

Jess Carini
Heath Lane

Jessica graduated from Sussex University with a BA Hons in Geography. After working as a Teaching Assistant for a year, she went on to complete PGCE at Middlesex University. Jessica has worked as a Primary school teacher for over a decade, teaching across all year groups, from Nursery to Year 6.

Jessica joined the Heath Lane team last year as a Class Teacher. As Senior Teacher she will now support the team of teachers and Early Years practitioners to deliver an exciting and ambitious curriculum. Jessica has a special interest in promoting physical well-being and instilling a love for movement and being outdoors.

Lucy Matley
Oxhey

Lucy has been a dedicated teacher for 14 years, serving the communities of Hertsmere and Watford. With a wealth of experience across Key Stage 2, she has developed a strong passion for teaching our youngest learners in the early years. At Oxhey, Lucy has taken on the role of class teacher for both 2-3 and 3-4-year-olds, where her dedication to delivering an ambitious curriculum truly shines.Lucy believes in the importance of being a play partner and nurturing these vital interactions with children. She understands that building strong relationships with not only the children but also their families and her colleagues is key to a thriving learning environment. Beyond her classroom duties, Lucy co-chairs the governing body of a primary school, further highlighting her commitment to education and leadership.

Sue Wells
Daycare Manger

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Sue has worked in early years for over 25 years. During this time, she practised in three pre-schools, and managed her own setting for fourteen years. Sue has been the daycare manager at Muriel Green for the last four years. Sue is adept at building high quality, trusting relationships with families, and supports new parents when they leave their children for the first time.

Chloe Reade –Deputy Day Care Manager

Chloe has been working with children since she left school in 2015. She initially started as a children's entertainer in a soft play centre and has never lost that ability to engage children though fun and laughter! She then joined the team at Muriel Green as an Early Years Practitioner. Since then, she has worked in every room with children from babies to the Nursery school. Her ability to work strategically and efficiently with a great understanding of child development made her the perfect choice to join the senior leadership team as the Deputy Day Care Manager! She has a passion for working with all children but has an expertise with children with additional needs and has supported staff across the federation with ensuring children with hearing impairment receive high quality provision

Central Team

Mandy West
Finance Manager

Mandy has worked in finance all her adult life and joined the federation administration team in September 2022 working across all three setting. Prior to this Mandy worked for a short period at Herts For Learning as a School Financial Adviser where she worked alongside both Muriel Green and Heath Lane Schools in addition to other schools in Hertfordshire. Before that she worked in industry where she spent the previous 27 year's working within the Finance Team at the Head Offices of a global engineering manufacturing company where she held the position of Head Office Accountant.

Michelle Shearer
Lead Administrator

With a diverse background spanning finance and admin roles in education and the mobile phone sector, I've spent the last 5 years mastering the art of catering. Beginning my journey at Woolworths, I've developed a wide spread set of skills to support the varied roles of the team within the Federation. Personally, I cherish my role as a mum to two boys and a proud houseplant enthusiast.

Sean Smith
Site Manager

Sean has extensive experience in the education sector, having previously worked as an ICT consultant across schools in Hertfordshire. Sean holds a key role at Roots Federation, where the is responsible for site maintenance, health and safety, and ensuring compliance across all schools within the federation. His expertise in both technology and operational management helps maintain a safe, efficient, and compliant learning environment for all.