05 Nov 2026
Jo Williams, the former development coach at Watford FC Women, has been named as the head of football at St Albans School.
Jo will oversee football for both boys and girls, taking on the role of lead coach for the Senior Boys’ 1st XI while developing the school’s new girls’ football programme.
She brings extensive experience in both elite women’s football and schools football, joining St Albans School after spending two years as director of football at Charterhouse School. She was previously development head coach at Watford FC Women, where she worked with players who progressed to train with London Bees and Arsenal U21s.
She has also coached international players, including an England U17 international, a senior Wales international and a senior Albania international.
Headmaster Joe Silvester said: “I’m delighted to welcome Jo to the school at such an important time for our football programme. She was an outstanding candidate in an exceptionally strong field, and we’re thrilled to have her on board.
“She will play a key role across the whole programme, coaching both girls’ and boys’ football and leading our Senior Boys’ 1st XI. Her appointment reflects our ambition to develop the game at every level across the school as we embark on this exciting new chapter.”
Coach Jo added: “This is an exciting time to join the school. We have the opportunity to build the girls’ football programme from the very start, with ambitions for the school to become a talent hub for girls’ football in the independent sector.
“I want the girls to have the opportunity to develop new skills, with some potentially discovering football for the first time, in a positive environment where they can express themselves, build confidence and find a sense of belonging. I’m equally excited to be working across the whole football programme with both the girls and boys.”
Jo’s own football journey began at primary school, where she was the only girl in her school team. She went on to play for Reading FC’s Centre of Excellence and Reading Girls FC before playing for Team Bath and Bristol City while at university.
