The Governing Body

We moved to Seavington St Michael in 2015 when my husband retired, in order to be nearer to our family. We love living in this area and have become fully involved with village life.

As a lifelong teacher, my vocation has always rested in education. Having previously been Chair of Governors at a primary school in Sussex it was an honour to be asked to be the Foundation Governor for The Three Saints Federation. This involves securing strong links between the schools, the churches and the diocese of Bath and Wells.

Joining the Bath and Wells Multi Academy Trust in April 2020 has widened the network of opportunities for all of us, as a governing body, to improve our skills and knowledge in order to help to secure school improvement and I welcome this development.
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My wife and I moved to Isle Abbotts 11 years ago following my retirement. Initially I was the Chair of Governors in a primary school in Taunton before moving to the Three Saints Federation.

In my professional career, I worked in education for over 38 years, initially in Devon and then in London, firstly teaching music and maths before moving on to being a headteacher for over 26 years.

I am passionate about children’s education and I have a particular interest in ensuring that all children, especially those with additional needs, receive every opportunity for learning, both in the classroom but also outside, in our community.

I enjoy the challenge of working with a small team of governors who are very enthusiastic and motivated in what we do to support the schools as they strive to deliver the very best for our children.

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After working in infant / junior schools I spent time in a Child Guidance Clinic working with children with special emotional needs and later, set up a Teachers’ Reading Centre.

I served as Head Teacher of three large primary schools in Halifax, then moving to Somerset to take up headship at Merriott School. I soon became very happy to be part of a close village community and stayed until my retirement.

I also became actively involved in the local churches, as well as Church Warden etc, I am a Worship Leader in St Michael’s, Shepton Beauchamp, where the church is closely involved in the work of the school.

I was honoured to be invited to become a Foundation Governor and to join the team of enthusiastic Governors, who work to provide the very best for the children: to enable each to become the best person; to reach their potential, while learning to become a positive and useful member of the community in which they live.

My name is Emily Grieve and I am a parent governor. My little boy attends Shepton Beauchamp School. I am a teacher with 10 years experience having taught from Reception to Year 8. My teaching specialism is BEd English and Drama.

I am qualified TEFL teacher and I am currently working as the Head of EAL at a local Prep school, where I teach English to the international full boarders in Year 5-8. I also teach philosophy and religious studies and recently qualified as a Level 1 philosophy for children practitioner.

My name is Jo Best and I am the staff governor. I have taught at St Mary and St Peters Church School since September 2018. I currently teach in reception, year 1 and year 2 and I am the SENCo across the federation.

I qualified in 2009 at the University of Plymouth, my teaching specialism is BEd English and Drama and I love using drama across the curriculum to bring the learning within my classroom alive. As a child I attended St Mary and St Peter’s Church School and I am passionate about our schools and our place within our local communities.

I am the Vicar for Ilton and also the Rector for seven other parishes known collectively as the Isle Valley Benefice. Having lived locally for over thirty years my knowledge of the villages is extensive and it is a joy to be at the heart of these wonderful communities.

Known affectionately as ‘Father Philip’ within our schools I am privileged to be a part of the staff and governors and to witness the growth and flourishing of so many young children, they truly enjoy learning about religion and their local church, where some have already been baptised. Our vision is to strengthen links between school, church and community, whilst having fun as we journey together.

Connel joined the Federation in September 2021.