Alexandra Bond is a founding member of Social Tech organisation RunAClub, building and developing the sophisticated administration platform supporting any club or network of clubs, whilst embedding the internal and external communications. She has 20 years of demonstrated success in supporting new ventures starting up; and helping companies, local authority services, charities, social enterprises and schools grow and develop new products, methods and services. She has held various volunteer Chair and Committee roles at pre, primary and secondary Schools.
Elspeth has been involved with Corsham Primary School for over 15years and operated as a Governor, Chair of Governors and on the Board of Trustees. Used to operating at a senior level Elspeth is an experienced senior human resource professional with excellent communication skills, gained in private and public sector businesses, currently working within the NHS. She has experience in developing and delivering staff engagement and behavioural change programmes, the positive management of organisational change and encouraging involvement from all levels of the business.
David Perry is the representative of the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Education, which is itself a Corporate Member of Pickwick Academy Trust
David says that he was born in 1962 to the sound of the Beatles! Not really, but it answers why he likes the Beatles so it's a good myth. David has been married to Anne-Marie for 31 years now. She runs AbiCare, a home care provision company based in Salisbury where they have lived for all their married life. They have 4 children, a girl of 28 and then 3 boys with the youngest, Patrick, being 21.
David trained as a teacher in 1986 then was an airline pilot for the last 25 years, working mostly for Thomas Cook but was ordained Priest in 2018 and he has worked as a priest in Salisbury ever since. David now works part time as a Flying Instructor and part time as a hospital chaplain in Southampton.
David has four dogs, three cats and a pond of fish. His hobbies are model aircraft, amateur radio and watercolour painting.
Wybren has spent his career in technology and now develops technology strategy within the financial services industry. He was a governor at Greentrees Primary School immediately before the school joined the Trust. He volunteers at a number of secondary schools providing a variety of career and further education talks and mentoring.
Paul is a Member of Pickwick Academy Trust. He has over 18 years’ experience as a Governor and Chair of Governors, with Greentrees Primary School.
Alongside Governorship, Paul is a legal and commercial professional working in the Defence and Security Sector. In addition, he is the Group Scout Leader of a successful Sea Scout Group in Salisbury, where along with other leaders, looks to develop young people with skills for life, across a range of mental, physical and adventurous activities.
Full bio coming soon...
Andrew Hall is an experienced entrepreneur. He has been successful as Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer in a broad spectrum of sectors including health and social care, commercial property development, healthcare manufacturing and Hollywood movies. He is currently focused on long term regeneration of the town centres of Corsham and Shoreditch. He has a strong interest in sustainability.
Having consistently led small to medium sized organisations, Andrew has an open-minded and hands-on approach to getting things done. He is proud to help deliver the best schools and outcomes for our children.
Andrew is Chair of the Trust's Finance Focus Committee, and sits on the Environment Working Group.
Full bio coming soon...
Robert Ward has been serving in the Royal Air Force for over 30 years. He has completed many different roles from flying duties to staff appointments. He is currently serving at MoD Lyneham in the Defence College of Technical Training Headquarters.
Robert was previously a parent governor at Ivy lane from 2014 finishing as the Vice chair. He was a member of the MAT steering group to help form Pickwick Academy Trust and is now serving as the Chair of Trustees.
Gill has had a life long interest in primary education, as a school governor, teacher, head teacher and local authority senior adviser specialising in school improvement.
In 2006 she was appointed as one of the first National Leaders in Education and has had the opportunity to work in many schools supporting them to develop and improve the education they offer the children.
Gill firmly believes education has the power to change, improve and enhance the lives of children and young people. They should be offered the best chances to learn and thrive within the school they attend. The curriculum offered to the children needs to be engaging and motivating. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the Pickwick Trust Board to ensure that this happens. She has joined the Trust Board to support the achievement of these aims. Gill is Chair of the Trust's School Improvement Committee and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees.
Away from school Gill enjoys the theatre, art history, swimming and walking her dog.
James has over 25 years education experience and 20 as a leader. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Pickwick Academy Trust, previously the Director of Pickwick Learning Teaching School Alliance and the sub-regional lead for the Teaching School Council for Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. He is passionate about teaching and learning, and bringing people together effectively to improve outcomes for pupils.
Sonal has a strong background in the legal profession, encompassing employment law, governance and commercial law including privacy law. A qualified solicitor since 2004, Sonal has been a key legal adviser to LEA-maintained schools across the South, and understands the challenges that the education sector faces today. Sonal is passionate about improving the life chances and school experience for school pupils, and strives to achieve this first and foremost. Sonal has lived in Wiltshire since 2004 with her husband and young son.
Rachel has over 20 years experience in teaching music and the Performing Arts across all 5 key stages and in pre-schools, including training nursery staff to teach music. She set up her own business in 2008 and continues to teach toddler music groups and piano lessons 1-1 in schools and at home. She also has special interest and experience in SEND.
She is Kodaly trained and loves learning how music affects our brain and helps children learn. Rachel believes that music reaches parts of our brains other things cannot and illuminates our souls, connecting our mind and heart. She believes that children deserve the best and that joy in learning should be taken seriously.
Rachel has a strong Christian belief and serves as a foundation Trustee looking specifically at Christian distinctiveness within our mixed MAT as we lead the way on releasing our Vision and Values so that all the children in our care can flourish and find their purpose. She loves singing and writes songs, rehearses children's choirs and performs as a member of a chamber choir.
She also loves a good Agatha Christie and one of her most memorable moments is playing one of Agatha's Christie's composition's on her actual piano (did you know Agatha Christie was a concert pianist as well as a novelist?) and she loves afternoon tea.
Liz was a primary teacher in many settings, senior leader, RE advisory teacher, LA adviser Ofsted Inspector and deputy CEO for the diocesan academies trust. She is now the Director of Education for the Bristol Diocese and works with all the schools across the diocese.
Liz loves to see children flourish in all they do, so promotes education that builds wisdom, hope, dignity and helps all to live in loving, inclusive communities.
Julia Fountain has enjoyed over 34 years in the teaching profession and has taught the whole of the primary age range, in a variety of settings, ranging from a small village school to larger town schools. She has over 26 years of school leadership and improvement experience and has been a Headteacher for 9 years. Her qualifications include the National Professional Qualification for Headship and Local Leader of Education. Her particular areas of expertise include teaching and learning, curriculum and assessment, including data analysis. She has had the role of Executive Headteacher since the Trust formed in September 2017, and became Director of Education for the North Wiltshire Hub in January 2024.
James has over 25 years education experience and 20 as a leader. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Pickwick Academy Trust, previously the Director of Pickwick Learning Teaching School Alliance and the sub-regional lead for the Teaching School Council for Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. He is passionate about teaching and learning, and bringing people together effectively to improve outcomes for pupils.
Emma is the Chief Finance and Operating Officer (CFOO) for Pickwick Academy Trust. Having had a successful career in Finance, holding various roles including Management Accountant for a large commercial organisation, Emma moved to a role in Education in 2007 and now has 18 years of experience in the sector, including several years as an Academy School Business Manager. Her role oversees the work of the following areas of the organisation - Finance, HR, Premises, Health and Safety, IT and GDPR. She is passionate about supporting our school leaders, through the work of the Trust's Business team and alongside other members of the Executive Team, to ensure that all schools are safe and compliant and that all available funding is obtained and utilised in the best way to provide well-resourced places to work, teach and learn, both now and in the future, in order to provide all pupils with the education they deserve.
Amy Tapscott has particular responsibility for oversight of professional development and learning across the trust, supporting schools with curriculum development, trainee teachers and early career teachers as well as leadership development. She has been working in education for over 25 years, teaching in classes across KS1 and KS2 and more recently training SCITT trainee teachers.
Ray has been in the teaching profession for over 35 years. He has been a Nursery, FS2, KS1 and KS2 teacher, deputy headteacher, head teacher and now the Director of Education for Pickwick's North Dorset Hub. Ray also taught in a Special School for two years with an ASD focus. He has also been an early years adviser for Wiltshire for two years. Ray believes a collaborative approach to education is the only way to achieve lasting change in schools. He also believes that having an international dimension to the curriculum is vital in this globally connected world. He has taught in America and Japan and has also built lasting partnerships with schools in France, Belgium, China and Zambia.
Rebecca Bone is the Director of Education for our South Wiltshire Hub of schools, and has overall responsibility for church school flourishing and our partnership with the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Education. Rebecca has enjoyed over 22 years in the teaching profession and has taught, and been part of the senior leadership team, in a variety of settings, ranging from small village schools to a large town school. Rebecca is passionate about teaching, learning and leadership.
Rebecca has three children and enjoys spending her summer holidays backpacking and travelling together as a family.
Frances has worked for over 25 years in education, firstly in Service Children’s Education in Germany and then in South Gloucestershire Council’s 0-25 Service before she joined Pickwick Academy Trust in February 2019 as Admin Officer for the Executive Team. It was a new role for Frances and also for the Trust but one which has developed considerably since then. Frances is also the Clerk to the Board of Trustees which adds a different aspect to her role.
Mike spent 32 years as a Police Officer with Wiltshire Police before retiring in 2012. Upon leaving the Police Service he started work with a maintenance company working in primary schools within North and West Wiltshire. This work involved all aspects of property maintenance and health and safety compliance. In 2017 he joined Queen's Crescent Primary School, supporting the Business Manager with premises and Health and Safety management. As Pickwick Academy Trust grew, Mike took on the role of Trust Facilities Manager working with the Business Director building a premises management and health and safety regime to ensure our schools are safe and secure for the delivery of education. He was appointed Head of Facilities in September 2023.
Victoria is a qualified chartered accountant, with over 20 years of finance experience. She has worked as an auditor in practice and in various finance roles in the retail and telecommunications sectors. In 2020 she joined Pickwick Academy Trust as Finance Manager for Corsham Primary School and was subsequently appointed as the Trust's Head of Finance in September 2022. Victoria leads the schools finance teams in the work to provide financial stability and ensure best use of funds to improve outcomes for pupils.
Alii is the Head of HR at Pickwick Academy Trust, with 15 years' experience working in the public and education sector. Alii is responsible for developing, and overseeing, the delivery of a compliant and efficient HR service across Pickwick schools. She supports the Trust by working in partnership with leadership, managers and staff to embed best practice through HR policies and procedures.
Sylwia's full bio will appear here
Sam joined the Pickwick Academy Trust team in November 2022 and has over 14 years administrative and project management experience, having worked as a Senior Account Manager at a trade, retail and brand communication design agency.
Sam works with our Professional Development Director, Amy, across all aspects of the Early Career Professional Development Programme and supports with other professional development learning opportunities. Sam also supports our Head of Facilities, Mike, across all schools with health and safety compliance.
Kara McAveety has been a Governor at Ivy Lane school since moving to Chippenham in 2013, becoming Vice Chair in 2017. She is mother to five children, two sets of twins and one singleton. The oldest twins are now in secondary education and the 3 youngest children are currently pupils at Ivy Lane School.
Kara has a PhD in computational chemistry and works as a Senior Researcher in the School of Chemistry at the University of Bristol. She has been involved in the teaching of undergraduate and graduate students for many years and was part of a team that won the University of Bristol Educational Initiative Award in 2018.
Andy became a governor at Corsham Primary School in 2018 and has recently moved into the Co-Chair role. He specialises in construction project management and has 17 years project management consultancy experience. Currently he is the head of Capital Projects at Dyson in Malmesbury.
Andy was educated in Corsham and returned to the area in 2014. He has a keen interest in cycling, both in the UK and abroad.
Gideon became a science teacher in 2005, working in several secondary schools in Dorset and as the Head of Sixth Form from 2013. During that time, he was fortunate enough to interweave into his teaching career numerous opportunities to inspire, excite and educate young people about the world. Gideon believes schools have a duty to support young people in making the best academic progress they can whilst also providing opportunities for learning and development that extends beyond the curriculum. Through organising dozens of local, national and international trips, leading a department in science and championing sustainability in schools, Gideon has made a sustained and significant contribution to the holistic education of young people, broadening their opportunities. Gideon loves his work with your people at the other end of the school system, providing pastoral and academic support as they make their transition into adulthood. He hopes that in his role as governor he is able to bring some of his experience to bear to the benefit of Ludwell Primary School and its community.
Gideon lives with his young family in Shaftesbury and his three children have made or are making their journey through the school. They enjoy the outdoors - kayaking, running, cycling, their allotment and campfires and walks in the woods. Gideon looks forward to continuing to support the school and its further development in the years ahead.
Daniel Linde is a finance professional with experience in corporate and managerial finance roles including investment banking associate and Chief Financial Officer.
Daniel joined the Queen's Crescent Local Governance Committee in 2020 and currently serves as co-Chair.
Karen has been a Governor of Greentrees Primary School since 2018 and has been Chair since May 2022.
Karen's professional background is in Human Resources and she is currently the Executive PA to the Head of another Salisbury school and Clerk to their Governing Body.
Carolyn is a Foundation Governor and also the Chair of the Local Governance Committee. Her children both attended Winterslow Primary School and she was heavily involved with the school during their time there, spending time serving on FOWS and as a Foundation Governor for 8 years, including 4 years as Chair of Governors. Despite no longer having children in the school (they are 18 and 21!) Carolyn has a deep and long-lasting affection for Winterslow School and its amazing staff and children and she is happy to spend my time and energy for their benefit. Winterslow is a very special school with a lovely Christian culture and ethos and she is proud to play a part in its governance.
Carolyn's background is in education, having spent time teaching in primary and secondary schools and at sixth form level, working in educational support as an exams officer and admissions officer, and as a Childcare Advisor and Play Manager at Wiltshire Council. She is currently also Chair of the Management Committee of the John McNeill Opportunity Centre. Carolyn runs her own training company delivering first aid, mental health, and safeguarding and teacher training and teaching piano and music theory, and quality assuring other training organisations.
Judith has been a Governor at Pitton Primary since March 2019 and Chair since September of that year.
Judith started her teaching career in a primary school in Singapore, but since then has spent 30 years teaching languages, mainly German, in secondary schools in Liverpool and Guildford. She was Assistant Head with responsibility for trainee and newly qualified teachers, staff CPD and international links. After retirement she moved to the Salisbury area to be nearer some of the family. Two of her grandchildren attend Pitton School.
Tim has worked in a secondary school for 11 years specialising in Religious Studies, Politics, Sociology and PHSE. He is currently the Head of Personal Development at St. Mary's Calne. Tim has experience in supporting school policy development and implementing whole school strategies such as the Rights Respecting Schools Award and auditing SMSC delivery. He is also Chair of Corsham Hockey Club.
Jon has worked locally as a Youth Worker and Volunteer Manager since 2003, working for several national charities and Wiltshire Council's Youth Development Service. He is also a Trustee for Seeds4Success, a local charity offering positive activities for young people. Jon holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Youth Work and Community Studies and an MSc in Environmental Management. His current role is Senior Volunteer Manager for the Youth Adventure Trust, who offer disadvantaged young people a programme of outdoor adventure activities and residential camps. His role involves recruiting, training and supporting a dedicated and diverse team of volunteers. Jon also Chairs a forum for Volunteer Managers in Wiltshire.
As a lifelong advocate for the power of volunteering he jumped at the opportunity to join the Ludwell Primary School Board of Governors. He's driven not only by the opportunity to shape his daughter's experience at Ludwell, but also the experience of all of the other children that attend the school. As the child of teachers, Jon appreciates the hard work and dedication that goes on behind the scenes and was keen to do his bit to help.
Jon lives in Ludwell, close to the school and can be spotted running, walking, geocaching or flying kites locally.
Jamie joined the Civil Service in 2000, initially working at the UK’s medicines regulator before spending 12 years at the Ministry of Justice, working in policy and operational roles in the criminal justice and family law systems. Since moving to north Dorset, he has changed career and now works as a primary school administrator.
Nic has been Chair at Longford since March 2023 but started as a Parent Governor in 2016. She became Co-Chair at Longford in March 2024. Her commitment to support and help develop the school is still as strong as when her boys were there - they are now 14 and 18 years old.
Nic works full time as a Project Manager for the NHS and understands the pressures and scrutiny that the public sector is under.
In her spare time, Nic enjoys paddleboarding, reading and taking her lively springer spaniels out on long walks.
John spent his career working in the world of education, including twenty years as a Headteacher. Most recently he held senior roles within a large Multi Academy Trust. He has held a number of trustee/governance roles and is currently Chair of Trustees for the Oasis Community Partnerships in Southampton, a Parish Councillor and church warden at St Mary's Alderbury. He believes strongly in the importance of primary schools to the life of villages and is committed to ensuring the very best outcomes for all the children of Alderbury and West Grimstead School.
Barry has a diverse background in both public and private sectors. With experience as an Estates Director in the NHS. Currently, Barry successfully runs his own business, selling artisan tea and coffee.
Barry has been a Governor at Wyke school for over 8 years having served as chair for 3 years. He has also worked with local schools and stakeholders to put together a local youth outreach team, working closely with them to develop what this offers to the young people of the town. This also includes playing a role in the establishment and development and running of a local youth club as a member of the management committee.
Additionally, Barry is local councillor, actively contributing to community development and welfare. Furthermore, Barry holds the position of Chair for several local charities and is also a member of a number of other local groups.
Barry is the Chairman of the Gillingham Chamber of Commerce, fostering economic growth and prosperity in the local business community. Barrys multifaceted roles highlight a passion for service, leadership, and community engagement.
Nick was appointed Chair of Governors in 2018 having re-joined the governing body in 2016. He was chair of governors previously when his two daughters were at the school so has a long and affectionate involvement with St Gregory's.
Nick's career has been in publishing and media in London and Dublin.
Since settling in North Dorset with his family, Nick has served as Chair of the Trustee Board of St Margaret's Hospice Somerset and as a Non-Executive Director of Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust. The school is now Nick's priority and he very much enjoys working with his fellow governors, the school team and being in school with the children.
Full bio will appear here.
Harriet joined the governing body as a parent governor in 2019 prior to taking up the role of Co-Chair in March 2024. Her three children are all currently at St George's.
Harriet is a Chartered Accountant and Tax Advisor - before having her children, she worked for a South West firm specialising in rural and agricultural accountancy and tax advice. She now runs her own business which has enabled her to fit work flexibly around being a busy Mum.
Harriet enjoys working alongside fellow governors and the committed and dedicated staff team at St George's to ensure all the children achieve the best outcomes and are able to shine.
Erica spent almost 40 years working as a teacher and headteacher in Essex and East London. Following her retirement, she moved to Salisbury in 2018. Erica is passionate about the education of children and believes she has the skills, experience and commitment which enable her to make a valuable contribution as a governor. She has served Longford Primary School as a governor since December 2022 and became Co-Chair in March 2024.