Governor Profiles
Clerk to Governors: Kerry Jones, kjones@fromecollege.org
Chair of Governors
Gayle Willmott
 |
Co-Opted GovernorI have over 16 years’ experience of teaching, training and management within post 16 further education. Since leaving the education sector to pursue a different career, I decided to become a governor to maintain my connection with education. As a college parent, I wanted to give back to the community and felt that my expertise would be a useful additional to the governance team. Being a governor has proved to be extremely rewarding and I enjoy being part of a strategic team, which is having an impact on young people’s lives. |
Vice Chair
Sven Rees
I have many years of experience working within education. This includes teaching in four secondary schools in Essex, Wiltshire and Bristol and my roles have included Head of Music , Advisory Teacher and Careers Leader. Three years ago I left teaching and now work as an Education Consultant for the West of England Combined Authority where I support secondary schools with their Careers programmes. I have recently moved into the Frome area from Bath and am keen to contribute to the community and share my experience with a governing body so that students have the skills and knowledge to achieve their best next steps.
Governors
Lisa Marsden
 |
LA Governor - Safeguarding; Business Chair I am an accountant and have worked as a business manager in several schools over the last 20 years; from nursery through to secondary. I have also been a school governor so understand the valuable school/governor relationship from both sides of the table. I have always valued being able to contribute to support the education of young people and really enjoy working in schools. I am committed to supporting young people to give them the best education to give them skills and knowledge to engage confidently with the world.
|
Kieron Rushton
Parent Governor - Science
As a father of two daughters currently at Frome College, as well as an older step-son who progressed to an apprenticeship post Year 11, I have a genuine interest in being a Parent Governor and helping to support and challenge the School Leadership Team.
I have lived in Frome for 18 years, moving from Wolverhampton with Asda. It didn't take long to realise that Frome was a great place to settle and enjoy the delights of Somerset.
I am an Area Manager for a large retailer and have 20 years experience working with large and diverse teams of colleagues across the South West. I have experience of managing people, costs and processes, as well as understanding customers and local needs.
I have previously been a Governor, Vice-Chair and Temporary Chair of Governors at a local first school and found that my work experience was helpful to bring a decisive and alternative perspective to the table. I hope to help Frome College in any small way I can by representing Parents and Students on the Governing Body.
|
|
Marianne Johnson
Parent Governor
My eldest child has just started Frome College and I have two more children to follow. I began my career in the music industry producing benefit concerts, and then moved into advocacy work for a global maternal mortality NGO. In 2010 I trained as a Psychotherapist. At the moment I run a clinic in London, and am part of the Trauma Foundation South West in Bristol, working with refugees and asylum seekers.
Frome college is at the heart of life in Frome, providing our teenagers with a high quality education and inspiring them to enter the world of work. I want to use my skills to support the college, contributing where I can to the educational and emotional wellbeing of our school.
Sarah Davies
 |
Parent Governor - Pupil PremiumI work within Risk and Compliance of a Financial Service company. I became a parent governor as I wanted my skills to support the college in providing the best start for our children as they move onto either further education or the workplace. |
Richard Seccombe
 |
Parent Governor - EnglishI have been in education for some 50 years now. I have taught in residential special schools for children with learning disabilities and associated emotional/behavioural challenges; taught in independent day and boarding schools; been Head of two small 'alternative' schools specialising in school refusers, and, for the last ten years, Head of middle school English at an innovative school in the Czech Republic. I have a Polish wife and a daughter in Year 9. We moved from Bath to Nunney some four years ago now. I am a Quaker, I sing with the Oakfield Choir, I make medieval musical instruments, climb mountains whenever possible and am a Parish Councillor. I hope that my years of experience in many forms of education will be of use in assisting the Governors to continue to promote excellence in all areas of the life of the College.
|
Rebecca Beveridge
 |
Parent Governor - 6th FormI am a Specialist SEND Teacher with years of experience working with some of the most vulnerable students in the South West. I am passionate about education. Education is the key to changing the future and changing lives. Education provides you with a toolkit- it gives you academic, practical and creative tools which allow you to question and engage with the world. I am a strong advocate for ensuring each young person is given opportunities to thrive at school. As a Parent myself, this is my focus as a Governor at Frome College. |
Simon Steel
 |
Parent Governor - MathsI’ve one child at College currently and two others who will follow in the coming years. I sought to become a parent governor as I believe learning and education provide the fundamental basis for a successful and positive life – and every young person deserves the best possible opportunity to experience this. I want to further build and support the College in providing an excellent educational experience as possible. I hope my skills gained in 15+ years' experience as a senior leader working in a variety of large public and private organisations will be a useful addition to helping the College thrive.
|
Mark Ebden
Co-Opted Governor - Data
I have worked in education since 2008. Firstly, as a teacher of Chemistry; more latterly as a head of department, head of faculty and finally as a deputy head. I’ve also been an examiner for GCSE Chemistry and an ECB-qualified cricket coach. My teaching career took me from Kent to Brighton, and landed me in Frome; however, I left teaching last year to start working for a not-for-profit organisation that provides CPD for science teachers and builds links between schools and the STEM sector.
I really relish the opportunity to make a positive difference more broadly, but I do miss being in school and I miss that direct interaction with enthusiastic young people. I have been a governor before, at a primary school in Kent, which was rewarding and deeply satisfying. I felt we were able to make a big difference and it fulfilled my desire to give something back to the local community. During my tenure at that school, I put into practice my knowledge of and skills in school improvement, data analysis, and leadership. My specific responsibility, prior to being nominated to chair the governing body, was link governor for science. I hope my skills match the needs of the governing body at Frome College, as I am keen to put my skills to good use within a school context once more, and to give something back to the town I have so quickly grown to love.
Steve Jolly
Co-Opted Governor
I have worked in the Telecoms and IT industries for over 40 years in various capacities and relocated to Somerset in January 2022. I was struck by how welcoming everyone was when we moved here and the great sense of community spirit that exists. I have three grown children myself and have always taken an active role in their academic and personal development. I have also been involved in Graduate entry programmes in some of the organisations I have worked with, so I know firsthand some of the challenges young people face today in transitioning from education to the workplace. I wanted to become a school governor because I believe everyone is capable of being brilliant at something; you just need to work out what that ’something’ is. I hope throughout my time as a Governor I can use my experience and knowledge to benefit the school's strategic planning and to help curate inquisitive young minds to find their ’something’
Peter Jones
 |
Elected Staff Governor - Careers LinkI am moving into my 5th year teaching at Frome College and my 3rd year as Head of science. I grew up in Radstock and Bristol before completing a degree in Molecular Microbiology at the University of Surrey. After graduation I spent a year living in Japan, before setting in Frome and beginning my teaching career. After 15 years of teaching, I now have 3 daughters at various stages of their education in Frome schools. Therefore I have a deeply vested interest in striving to ensure the education provided at Frome College, particularly in science, is to the highest standard possible whilst also being fun and engaging for all our students. |
Emma Reynolds
 |
PrincipalAs Principal of Frome College, I also hold the position of Governor and enjoy the challenge and support offered by the Governing team. As an English teacher of nearly 30 years experience, I have served as a senior leader for the past 17 years, 9 of which as Headteacher. I love my work and feel privileged to serve the Frome Community. |