Governor Pen Portraits


Adam Savery

I was educated at the Blue School in Wells and live in Shepton Mallet. I currently work in the Corporate Finance Department at Mendip District Council. I live in Shepton Mallet and have two sons who attend St Aldhelms.

I became a governor in March 2004 and took over as Chair of Governors in September 2006. I hope, through my role, to help the children at St Aldhelms achieve their full potential in the best possible environment.

Outside work, I play 5 a side football and I am a keen amateur musician, playing in a local rock band.


Sarah Douglass

I was born in Coventry the year the Beatles released "A Hard Days Night" and since then I have lived in Singapore (very hot) Portsmouth (very naval) and Plymouth (very wet).

In 1986 I qualified as a Registered General Nurse working in the NHS as a Staff Nurse and specialised in general surgery, which is where I met my husband. We moved to Somerset in 1992. Our first son Sam was born in 1993 followed by Peter in 1996, who is a pupil at St Aldhlem's.

I decided to take a break from nursing to spend more time at home and worked part-time as a Nursery Assistant and then an LSA in 2 local Primary Schools but realised my desire to nurse was strong and returned to nursing in 2006 working for Dorothy House Hospice, Hospice at Home.

Prior to becoming a Community Governor for St Aldhelm's, I was a Foundation Governor for 4 years at St Vigor and St John's School, Chilcompton, a role which I found interesting and challenging.

During my spare time I practice Viniyoga, do the odd bit of gardening, listen to music and try and manage my husband, 2 children and 2 dogs.


Michele Williams

I joined the Governing Body of the School in November 2006 as a Parent Governor. I have two children at St. Aldhelm's school a daughter presently in Year 4 and a son in Reception Class. As well as attending Full Governor's Meetings, I am a member of the 'Every Child Matters' committee.

Originally from Berkshire, I have very fond memories of my Primary School and some outstanding teachers who were dedicated and passionate about what they did and actively encouraged my strengths and interests. These teachers and this experience proved formative in shaping my future career choices.

After surviving the shock of a large secondary school, I went on to study at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts before working in auction houses and contemporary Art Galleries in Mayfair in London for many years. I also lectured part-time at degree level in Professional Practice in the Arts in a number of universities and colleges.

After marrying Michael, an Architect, and after the birth of our daughter the family moved to Stoke St. Michael in 1999 where we have established an Architectural Practice MJW Architects. I am a Director in the practice but in addition have continued working in the Arts having worked as Development Manager for SPAEDA (Somerset's Arts in Education Development Agency) and as Development Manager for Somerset Art Week.

I am delighted that both my children are now at St. Aldhelm's which I believe to be an excellent, inclusive school delivering quality education in innovative ways. As a Parent Governor I hope to be a critical friend to support and assist the head teacher and his staff to continue to help each and every child achieve their own potential and have enjoyable, memorable learning experiences during their time at St Aldhelm's.

Hobbies - not much time at this stage in life; however as a family we do try and spend time with friends and get out and enjoy the wonderful Somerset countryside as much as possible. I have aspirations to travel more and learn to sail as a family!


Tony Blaker

I had the pleasure of becoming a Governor approximately five years ago and was given the portfolio of buildings and health and safety.

In the past I have had a general education at School and College. My interests have been in Local Government and I have served on various Parish Councils. I have run various Youth Clubs for nearly 35 years and this is why I am interested in children and their education.





Rowan Hawkins

I am an LEA Governor, appointed Autumn 2006. I am the Community Beat Manager for Shepton Mallet Rural Beat covering a large number of villages, including Doulting. I have been a Police Officer for over eight years. I served six years within Hampshire Constabulary where I worked on a specialist unit dealing with offences against children. I have a Degree in Psychology and a Masters in Criminal Justice.


Janet Day

I am serving my second year as a Foundation Governor, at the invitation of the church. I am currently employed by the Methodist Church, part of my responsibility being to develop links between church denominations and community groups in the Wells and Shepton areas.

I confess to having a background in education "in a previous existence", having been a teacher in the 1980s, but methods have changed considerably since then! SATs arrived and I left the classroom for pastures new. Until a recent change of circumstances, I was tutoring looked- after children who were unable to attend school owing to behavioural, emotional or learning difficulties.

My daughter, now in Year Six, joined St. Aldhelm's in Year One, when we moved to Shepton Mallet. We felt very fortunate to find a Primary School with a Christian ethos. I believe she has benefited enormously from being in a school where staff and children are caring and supportive, where school is a safe and enjoyable place to be, as well as being challenging and enthusiastic about helping children to reach their learning potentials.

I understand my role as Foundation Governor is to listen and observe carefully, to pray regularly for the school, to involve myself in the life of the school where opportunities arise, also to help the governing body to make decisions which ensure that this wholesome environment continues to nurture each child who attends, not only to achieve good academic results, but to be happy, well-adjusted, caring and responsible citizens.


Mary Newman

My husband and I have lived in Doulting for 27years. Both our children attended St. Aldhelm's school, and before retirement I was a teacher of English at Whitstone for 22 years and also a year head. Before that for 6 years I taught both History and English at the Blue School in Wells.

I still do some teaching - of English as a Foreign Language - during the summer at Sherborne International College, and have been several times to Belarus as a self-supported volunteer teacher on short summer English courses.

While living in the village I have taken part in various aspects of community life, for example in the church and as the producer for 19 years of the annual village concert. The productions involved a large number of children over the years. My principle purpose was to give them the opportunity for personal development within a successful shared production.

I take an active interest in the Arts, environmental matters and issues of social justice.

As a former English teacher I am convinced of the importance of encouraging children to discover the joy of reading. The teaching of basic educational skills is an obvious aim of a primary school, but that should be within the purpose of encouraging broader educational and personal development. I was happy to join the governing body of St. Aldhelm's because these seemed to be the lines along which the school is working.


Joy Lees

I have had connections with the school since 1967 and have watched it grow in strength over the years.

I have been privileged to serve as Foundation Governor for the last 8½ years and cherish the strong links between the Church, School and local community. I perceive my role to be a 'friend' of the school and staff, and to help in any way possible towards furthering the school's success and ethos.


Stuart Anderton

I've lived in Doulting parish for seven years and all three of my children attend St Aldhelms. I've been a parent governor for four years, and I've taken a particular interest in the budgeting and financial aspects of the governor's role. I work for a publishing company in Bath. Outside of work my main interest is following Bath Rugby around the country and Europe! My wife Eve is often to be seen helping run village events as part of the Social Committee.