After a career in retail and bringing up our four children, I did my PGCE at Exeter University, specialising in Humanities, and started my teaching career at a large school in Barnstaple. Since then, I have taught in schools in North and Mid Devon and across all year groups, most recently in Early Years, and feel privileged to be part of the learning and character development of children throughout their Primary years. I am passionate about ensuring that children develop their strengths within and outside of the classroom to ensure aspiration and reach their potential in all areas of their lives. A large part of my practice is spent outside, supporting children to learn through and about the environment, developing their life skills and becoming thoughtful, respectful and responsible citizens of the future. When not in school, I enjoy walking the moors and coastline with my family, riding with my youngest daughter and learning how to teach our miniature shetland pony agility tricks!

Head Teacher

I live in Holcombe Rogus (a small Devon village on the Somerset / Devon border) with my partner and our young family of 3 children. I have been teaching for fourteen years; my first position was at Webber’s C of E Primary School in 2008, where I worked as the year 5/6 class teacher for four years. I left Webber’s to gain further experience in school improvement within different settings. During this time, I worked as a class teacher in two different schools around the Taunton locality before being invited by the Executive Head to apply to join the team at Burlescombe C of E Primary School in 2016 to begin my career as a school leader. When I have spare time, I like to throw a few darts (not very well unfortunately!), spend time with my family enjoying our wonderful countryside, read fiction books for pleasure and spend some time over summer in the south of France. My philosophy as a teacher – and a leader – in schools is simple: children, children, children! Every decision we take in school i

Head Teacher

Gail Holmes started her teaching career in 2003 after completing a 4 year Primary BEd, with the University of Plymouth. During her teaching career, Gail has led different subject areas including PE ad Science and has taught every year group. She was Deputy Headteacher at two schools before becoming Acting Headteacher at Woolacombe School, which became a National Support School in 2010. Whilst Head of School, she supported change management across several schools who federated with Woolacombe. During that time she also became the Specialist Leader of Education at the Teaching School based at Woolacombe, leading the Initial Teacher Training schemes. She now leads Woolacombe School and the North Devon Teaching School Alliance. In her role as SLE and leading Woolacombe National Support and Teaching School, Gail provides school to school support through hosting visits to Woolacombe School, visiting other schools, deploying SLE’s and working with Headteachers, leaders and

Head Teacher

I am absolutely thrilled to lead the amazing team at St Helen’s Church of England School. My links with the school go back almost 35 years, as a former pupil of the school, and after spending the last 8 years as a teacher, senior leader and parent in the school, I am incredibly proud to be in post as Headteacher. I have been a teacher for almost 20 years. I originally specialised in English but with a degree in linguistics was given the opportunity to change specialism to Modern Foreign Languages. This opened the door into school improvement, and I had the opportunity to be involved with schools across the county and beyond. Over my career I have taught across all year groups and in a variety of schools. Contact with the children and their families remains the thing that gets me out of bed in the morning. I intend to remain very much hands-on in terms of teaching, learning and leading and my passion remains the same: an inclusive, holistic, progressive and broad curriculum that enables all children to flourish.

Head Teacher