The House System
We have five Houses at Frome College: Jupiter, Neptune, Mars, Saturn and Venus.
Head of Jupiter House - Mr P Comber
Mr P Comber
Email: PComber@fromecollege.org
Jupiter Information
House colour: Green
Welcome from Mr Comber
Hello, my name is Mr Comber and I am the newly appointed Head of Jupiter House, due to join Frome College in February, 2024. I have been a PE teacher for 17 years in schools near Bath and Bristol and I have previously held the role of Head of PE. I studied for my degree in sport at The University of Bath and enjoyed representing the university on the rugby pitch. I am still a keen footballer, tennis player and golfer,and regularly enjoy competing in these sports.
I have been a successful leader for behaviour and safeguarding in secondary schools near to Bath and Bristol. In these roles I have had significant impact in raising standards of education for the students in these schools. I also thoroughly enjoyed completing my Postgraduate Diploma in Vulnerable Learners at Bath Spa University.
I am passionate about supporting and guiding children, believing that all schools have a moral imperative to be inclusive, allowing all students and especially those who are the most vulnerable the opportunity to access ‘second chance’ learning. I work tirelessly to support, motivate and inspire learners and their families.
I am relishing the opportunity to be Head of House at Frome College and look forward to meeting you soon.
Deputy Head of Jupiter House - Mr J Brown
Mr J Brown
Email: JBrown@fromecollege.org
Welcome from Mr Brown
Welcome to Frome College, my name is Mr Brown and I teach PE and Vocational Skills. I grew up in Bristol where I played football at county level and cricket at district level when I was a teenager. I studied Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Gloucestershire and went on to earn a Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Psychology. Whilst at University I was lucky enough to have a job working at sporting events as steward. I was able to work at big events that include Premier League football matches, international cricket matches and the Cheltenham Gold Cup Festival. Since training as a PE teacher I have worked in 3 different schools and I joined Frome College in September 2021. I hope that during your time with us I can do my part to help you to develop both your academic and personal skills that will allow you to achieve the best exam results that you can and set you up to be happy and confident young adults that will go on to lead fulfilling lives.
House charity: We Hear You
Head of Mars House - Mr J Forrest
Mr J Forrest
Email: JForrest@fromecollege.org
Mars Information
House colour: Red
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” - Albert Einstein.
Mars key values/qualities:
- Creativity
- Inquisition
- Intelligence
- Devotion
Mottos:
- Destitutus ventis, remos adhibe - If the wind will not serve, take to the oars.
House Ethos:
- Embrace the challenge!
- Everyone has something to offer!
- Strong relationships!
- Support each other through thick and thin!
Welcome from Mr Forrest
Hello, my name is Mr Forrest and I teach Science and Chemistry. Welcome to Mars House! Frome College is my second destination in my teaching career following a ten year employment at a single sex academy in Bath. I grew up in Glasgow and moved to Bath in 2006 for a swimming scholarship at Bath University where I also studied Pharmacology. I represented the Universities ‘Performance Student-Athlete Programme’ and completed in numerous World and European international competitions for Scotland and Great Britain. In 2010 I made the tough decision to retire from elite level sport and focus on my degree and trained as a teacher soon after. I am still involved in swimming through coaching the next generations of competitive swimmers at Bradford on Avon Swimming Club. The students within our House say I am approachable, honest and trustworthy and teach with a firm but fair approach. I value an ethos where everyone has something to offer no matter their race, sexuality or background.
Deputy Head of Mars House - Miss A Wilson
Miss A Wilson
Welcome from Miss Wilson
Hello, I am Miss Wilson and I have taught PE and Dance at Frome College for the last 4 years. My key values as Deputy Head of Mars are for students to thrive in College and enjoy their learning whilst having lots of different opportunities and experiences. I strive to have my own success so would encourage all students in Mars to follow this ethos as well. I studied Sport and Exercise Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University and also completed my PGCE in Physical Education at the University of Exeter. I love to travel and visit lots of different countries, and as a result lived in Dubai for 18 months. My passions are Netball and Swimming and I will often be found training or competing in these sports.
House charity: I Can and I Am
Head of Neptune House - Mr S Lavington
Mr Lavington
Email: SLavington@fromecollege.org
Neptune Information
House colour: Blue
Welcome from Mr Lavington
Welcome from Mr Lavington I have taught Media Studies and English at Frome College since 2018, and as of September 2021 have begun teaching Film Studies to Post 16. This is an exciting addition to my timetable, as I am a film specialist, getting a BA (HONS) in Film specialising in Cult Cinema, Film Movements and Film Ownership (2014-2017). This was immediately followed by my PGCE in Media Studies (2017-2018). I have since taken on the role of Head of Neptune November 2023. These academic and professional achievements would not have been possible if my own school did not provide me with the best opportunities for learning. Opportunities and hard work are the building blocks of success. My aim as Head of House is to ensure that all students are able to reach their full potential at Frome College, to best prepare for life outside of College.
Deputy Head of Neptune House - Mr J Rush
Mr J Rush
Email: JRush@fromecollege.org
Welcome from Mr Rush
I grew up in North Devon and moved to Bath to study Biology at the university there. After university, I spent 7 years working in security and events. I organised and ran the security for large and small events across the country, from concerts and festivals to marathons, nightclubs and large sporting fixtures. I have been teaching science at Frome College for over 10 years now. It is important to me that a child’s experience at school is positive, productive and fun.
House charity: Mind
Head of Saturn House - Mrs March
Mrs N March
Email: NMarch@fromecollege.org
Saturn Information
House colour: Orange
"You are what you do repeatedly so your excellence isn't an act, it's a habit.”
The ethos of Saturn House is our inclusivity, tolerance, and acceptance of everyone. We encourage our members to try new activities and get out of their comfort zones as it helps define and shape character.
We do our best and aim high, aim to win. We are gracious in defeat, acknowledging the victors; humble in victory, respecting the competition.
Welcome from Mrs March
I have been teaching for 21 years, mainly GCSE Chemistry, Biology and Physics and Chemistry at A Level. More recently I have been teaching BTEC Psychology and GCSE Food and Nutrition.
I attended Frome College and then Studied for a BSc (HONS) in Biochemistry with Molecular Cell Biology at the University of Birmingham. After, I went to The University of Leeds to study for my PGCE in Chemistry with Science teaching. I have been playing the clarinet for 34 years and have played in orchestras and as a soloist in Europe and India. I like to keep active by taking part in "dance fit" and you can see me at Parkrun in Trowbridge. I am also the deputy safeguarding officer for Trowbridge Rugby club where my husband coaches and both of our children play.
Deputy Head of Saturn House - Mr R May
Mr R May
Email: RMay@Fromecollege.org
I am Richard May, brought up in London and Warminster. I have taught locally at Kingdown, as well as in Reading, Southampton and internationally. I am having a wonderful career in teaching, previously being a Head of English, Head of Year, Head of House and Deputy Head, Consultant and Coach. Due to personal circumstances, I took a decade hiatus from education to run an international aerospace company before returning to the field of education. I joined Frome College as an English Teacher in Autumn 2022 and recently became Deputy Head of Saturn House. I love being back in the field of education and am ambitious to enable students to achieve their best and develop holistically in to successful, happy individuals.
House charity: Young Somerset
Head of Venus House Dr D. Smith
Dr D Smith
Email: DSmith@Fromecollege.org
Venus Information
House colour: Yellow
Welcome from Dr Smith
Venus, the second planet from the Sun in our solar system is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty and is the only planet to be named after a female god. Unlike the planet, which is inhospitable with an atmosphere of carbon dioxide and sulphuric acid, and high pressure on its surface, Venus House will be inclusive and a safe environment for everyone.
I expect everyone associated with Venus House, and the wider Frome College community, to be polite, respectful, tolerant, and understanding of others. Everyone should be prepared to give their best and make a positive contribution.
As a member of Venus House, we will set high standards and aim to be role models for others. The tutors will be supportive and encouraging but expect them to challenge where necessary. Tutors are the first person you will see each day and they will be interested in hearing news of clubs and activities you do outside school.
I hope everyone will play a full part in the activities of the House and try something new, perhaps venturing outside your comfort zone.
Originally from the West Midlands, from a town labelled as ‘The Birthplace of Industry’, I went to Sheffield City Polytechnic and graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry. I then came to Bath to complete my PhD from the School of Chemical Engineering before completing my PGCE. I then spent nearly 7 years in the paper chemicals industry eventually traveling to work with wonderful people in countries such as India, Brazil, South Africa and Sweden. I joined Frome College in 2004. I’m a qualified football referee and I sometimes find time to play the guitar, although most of my time is either at football or tinkering with my motorbikes.
The ethos of Venus House is our inclusivity, tolerance, and acceptance of everyone. Also, putting yourself forward and trying a new activity and getting out of your ‘comfort-zone’ helps define and shape your character. We do our best and aim high, aim to win. We are gracious in defeat, acknowledging the victors; and humble in victory, respecting the competition.
House Charity: Purple Elephant
