Meet the team | Oxhey Nursery School

Meet Our People

Every setting is built on their team

For the team at Oxhey, teaching early years is much more than a job. We care deeply about children’s happiness and success. Our classrooms are joyful places to be, where children are engaged and teachers give praise and encouragement. We listen to parents and families, and work together with them to help children achieve their full potential.

Find out more about the qualified, experienced leadership team at Oxhey below.

Roots Leadership Team

Hayley Yendell

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.

Annette Norris
Head of school

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.

Lucy Matley -
Teacher

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.