After graduating from the University of Bath in 2009 I moved to Taunton to train as a Chartered Accountant with Albert Goodman LLP. I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2012 based in the audit department. As well as working with companies and charities, I have acted for a number of academies across Somerset and Dorset over the past five years.
In March 2015 I was appointed to the Board of Trustees and appointed as the Chair of the Business Committee and I’m excited to put my professional skills to good use.
I am passionate about raising standards in education and promoting the rights of all children to develop a love and zest for learning. During my time at the County Council I carried out a number of different roles over a period of 15 years, mainly supporting the development and growth of new early years settings. I was also responsible for the quality of education in early years settings and offering support and advice on how they could improve.
I am a qualified and experienced primary/middle school teacher and prior to working for Somerset County Council, I managed an independent nursery, worked as an independent registered nursery inspector and spent many years as an early years support officer and advisor, which has helped me support other educational provision.
Recent achievements include taking on failing nurseries as an independent consultant, offering advice on improvements and offering practical support and improvement plans to improve their practice. I have also delivered training and support to nursery providers on a private consultancy basis.
My husband and I were respite foster carers and youth workers for a number of years and we also have two sons. We enjoy DIY, walking, and caring for a mad sprocker dog!
I also enjoy a wide range of crafting activities and reading and I am excited to be part of a growing academy trust.
Tom is an experienced digital consultant and marketer with a demonstrated history of working across sectors as wide as retail, media, higher education and not-for-profit. Tom is strong at building relationships, stakeholder management and solving complex problems across digital platforms and has both strategic and commercial experience.
Tom has a first in economics and politics (BSc) from the University of Exeter. He has also been highly involved over the past few years with various political campaigns at local and national level.
I have worked with children and families for the past 23 years and I am passionate about children’s voices being heard. I care deeply that parents are offered the support to be the very best that they can be for their children.
I have an honours degree in early years care and education, and have worked within the education sector and social care settings where I have gained an enormous amount of experience in the problems that children and their carers face. I am keen to find solution-focused interventions that support change for children.
Having worked at Minerva for the past eight years, I have enjoyed getting to know, and working with many children and their families. I have been fortunate to get to know the community, and recognise what is important to the children who attend the school.
I am privileged to be part of the core group, as the school moves forward on its journey, to provide an outstanding education to all.
In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, walking and spending time with my family. I have two lovely border terriers that also keep me busy.
I have been teaching for over 17 years and predominantly worked in and around London and Surrey for the majority of my career. I moved to Somerset in 2017 and have enjoyed working with The Redstart Learning Partnership since I arrived; working at Holy Trinity for four years and then taking on the Assistant Head role at Minerva in January 2022. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the incredible team here. I am passionate about educating children. I believe in providing them with rich experiences, teaching life skills and developing their own creativity. I want all children to feel valued and find their place in the world.
I am a mother of two girls, both primary age, who keep me busy outside of school! I enjoy playing social netball and spending time with my family.
I am delighted to be a part of the core group - to continue to help Minerva deliver an outstanding curriculum and ensure all our children have every opportunity to thrive.
