Governors (ID 1071)

• Mrs K Carswell
  Interim Headteacher Governor
  Mrs K Carswell

  I became Headteacher of Berkley in September 2019, and I have thoroughly enjoyed building new relationships and partnerships within the parish.
  I have experience of small schools and have been on the governing body in my previous role.

• Mr Tom Woolman
  Parent Governor - CHAIR
  Mr Tom Woolman

  I became a parent governor at Berkley in September 2023, with two daughters currently at the school. My main background is in poultry farming, having graduating with a degree in Agriculture in 2011. Now I work as a consultant and freelance journalist covering farming topics. In my spare time I enjoy playing music and being at the theatre, either in the audience or on the stage. I decided to join the governing board in order to play an active role in the education of my own children and others in the community. I am passionate that all children should have the best opportunities to learn and thrive, and the pupil centric model at Berkley is one which I am pleased to be a part of.

• Mrs Liz Halliwell
  Foundation Governor - VICE CHAIR
  Mrs Liz Halliwell

  I have just joined the Governing Body and start my term September 2019

  I decided to become a parent governor following my son Lucas starting at Berkley in September 2019; I also have a daughter Meredith who has been at the school for 3 years. I was a pupil at Berkley and my mum was also a governor many years ago, so I am continuing the family tradition. I wanted to join the Board of Governors in order to get a better understanding of the pressures the school is under and to help shape the future of the school. I am also a member of the FBS and I want to build on the relationship between the parents and the Governors in order to enhance the school community.

• Mrs Laura Martin
  Local Authority Governor
  Mrs Laura Martin

  I have recently joined as a Local Authority Governor from July 2023. I moved to the area about a year ago from Kent and was very interested in getting involved and being a part of the local community. I have two children who have now both reached secondary school age. I am keen to support the school with any challenges they may find and to allow all children to be able to reach their full potential during their time at Berkley. I have a background in behaviour management within secondary schools, training/ managing of emergency and non-emergency contact center's, managing supermarkets for customer service and now I work within the Energy sector in operations management aiming to reach Net Zero.

• Mr Paul James
  Foundation Governor
  Mr Paul James

  Having lived in Frome for over 20 years, I first became a parent governor whilst my daughter was a pupil at the school. I have spent most of my working life in the NHS, I have also worked for a local independent school. Married with 2 children, 1 of whom is now at university, my interests include local/family history and most sports.
  Berkley School gave my daughter a great start on her educational journey and I am committed to ensuring that each child at the school has the same opportunity. Whilst it is essential that our pupils make good academic progress, it is also important that they leave as well rounded young people ready for the next stage of their education, something I strongly believe our close relationship with St Mary's Church helps to develop. My commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all pupils has led to me being the Lead Governor for SEND and safeguarding.

• Mr Nigel Sandy
  Foundation Governor
  Mr Nigel Sandy

  We have lived in Frome for 34years, shortly after a spell living in Holland. We have a son and two daughters with five grandchildren added to the family. My hobby used to be coastal boating, but life now centres around family, friends and travel. Through work I have traveled to some interesting countries, so when a daughter lived in Hong Kong, countries in the Far East and Southern Hemisphere were destinations. I feel privileged to have experienced so many diverse nationalities, cultures and religions. Originally my career was accountancy in the construction industry. Shortly after moving to Frome I took on the MD role at a waste management company alongside being Chairman of the Industry Trade Association. Two CEO appointments of public companies in the same and parallel industries followed. Finally a part time role as Chairman of a Rotterdam based company involved in maritime waste management.
  Since retiring in 2017, I have joined Frome Town Council's volunteer “litter warriors”! A chance for a good walk and benefit the local environment. Renewed a connection with Bath University by mentoring International MBA students to assist with leadership and career direction. A strong supporter of training in the workplace and so the invite to become a Governor has given me the opportunity to make a contribution to the early stages of education, and, carry on learning.

• Steve MacDonald
  Foundation Governor
  Steve MacDonald

  I decided to become a governor at the school after my youngest child started at Berkley. Having previously been involved with the committee of my children's pre-school, I wanted to continue having involvement in their education after they had both started at the school. I joined the school staff in April 2022 as part-time caretaker and the governing body in March 2023 as a co-opted governor. Being on the board of governors has given me a better understanding of how the school operates and the many challenges it faces. Having been a manager within the aviation industry, and having a background in Health and Safety and Risk Management, I hope that I can help the school with some of those challenges and ensure that the school and all those within it continue to improve and reach their full potential.

• Maria Harman
  Foundation Governor
  Maria Harman

  I joined the Governor team at Berkley School at the start of September 2024. My background is in teaching, having qualified in 1986, and other than a short break to have my own family, I remained in working in education until my retirement in 2021. I have undertaken a variety of teaching posts in schools in England, followed by a brief spell in New Zealand, before spending the final 20 years of my career working at a local residential special school, becoming Head Teacher from 2013 until 2021. The majority of my teaching experience has been in working and supporting young people who have a diagnosis of Autism and associated complex needs. Retirement in April 2021, has offered me greater opportunity to spend time at home with my family and I am often to be found cycling and running in the local lanes and villages. I am very much looking forward to becoming involved in education again, and working with the rest of the Governor team.

• Mrs Jan Hirons
  Staff Governor
  Mrs Jan Hirons

  I have lived in Frome now for 30 years. I am married with 2 very grown-up children. I previously worked at Berkley School as a HLTA from 2000-2016. I decided to take some time away from education but found I missed the children and the job. My decision to return to education was sealed when I came to watch my godson in the Berkley nativity in St Mary's church. So, I put my years of experience to good use and worked at other schools as a SEN TA. Not all children can learn in the same way, and I enjoy finding the right learning journey for the children I work with. I was thrilled to see a SEN job become available at Berkley School. I have now had ELSA training to support children socially, emotionally, and academically. It is a way of supporting a young person's emotional development and help them cope with life's challenges. I was previously a staff governor for 8 years and it was an easy decision to be the elected representative staff member on the board again. My role is to bring a staff perspective to discussions held by the governing body.

• Mrs Sian Spoerer
  Clerk to the Governors
  Mrs Sian Spoerer

  I taught at Oakfield Academy for 30 years before leaving to work for Hot Tomato, a local wholesale company selling jewellery and fashion accessories, in 2017. Having been made redundant due to Covid19, it gave me the perfect opportunity to return to the world of education, as Clerk to the Governors at Berkley First School and Exam Invigilator at Frome College. My eldest daughter spent her Reception year here at Berkley, so it is great to return full circle to this lovely village school.