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Our Trust of Schools

Meet the Team

Please see below.

Leadership

  • Carrie McMillan

    SCITT Director

  • Chloe Fox

    Secondary Program SCITT Lead

Administration

  • Justina Sparkes

    SCITT Administrator

  • Helen Beavis

    Recruitment Administrator

Lead Subject Mentors

  • Debora Kemp

    Lead Performing Arts Mentor

  • Maya Zographides

    Lead Maths Mentor

  • Dani May

    Lead English Mentor

  • Rich Pepperell

    Lead Science Mentor

  • Rachel Hawke

    Lead Geography Mentor

  • Liz Kilkelly

    Lead Religious Education Mentor

  • Joanna Leach

    Lead DT, Art and Design Mentor

  • Gary Burman

    Lead Physical Education Mentor

  • Britt Tonge

    Lead Modern Foreign Languages Mentor

  • Paul Meehan

    Lead Computer Science Mentor

  • Patrick Saturley

    Lead Music Mentor

Carrie McMillan

SCITT Director

Carrie studied English and History at Bath Spa University and completed her PGCE in English with Drama at Exeter University. She has taught at rural and city schools across Devon and Somerset in a variety of roles including Literacy Coordinator, Head of English and Assistant Headteacher responsible for Quality First Teaching. Additionally she has spent time as a School Improvement Consultant with Somerset Local Authority as part of the National Strategies and has served on the General Council of the National Association for the Teaching of English. Carrie is passionate about the need to train high quality teachers to serve in our schools as it is teachers who have the biggest impact on children’s progress.

Justina Sparkes

SCITT Administrator

Justina has many years of experience administrating in school and leadership settings. She is the first port of call for applicants and handles all trainee requests, guiding the cohort smoothly through the process, from application, placement and through to graduation.

Helen Beavis

Recruitment Administrator

Helen Beavis serves as the Recruitment Administrator at South West Teacher Training (SWTT), a role that supports aspiring educators in starting their teaching careers. Previously a teacher herself, Helen brings a depth of experience and understanding of the field to her recruitment role, making her an approachable and knowledgeable guide for prospective candidates.

Reflecting SWTT’s commitment to excellence in teacher training, Helen plays a vital part in ensuring that new educators are well-supported from their initial enquiries through to application, embodying SWTT’s values of inclusivity and community-focused education. SWTT emphasises practitioner-led training, where new teachers learn directly from experienced educators in a supportive, collaborative environment. This vision aligns closely with Helen’s work, as she helps foster a smooth transition into the teaching profession by connecting trainees with experienced mentors and providing tailored support.

Chloe Fox

Secondary Program SCITT Lead

A graduate in computer science with a Master’s Degree in Education, Chloe worked for Intel and Accenture Woking on projects taking her California, Russia and China. Chloe trained on the school-centred route in London before moving back her beloved Devon.  Chloe has many roles within the school leadership and sits as an associated member of the West Exe School senior leadership team and supports South West Teacher Training as their Assistant Lead. Day to day, Chloe heads up the Enterprise and Marketing department with some of the best results in the region. Chloe has a wealth of experience in parent engagement, student voice, IT systems and balances this with her love of sport and two small children.

Debora Kemp

Lead Performing Arts Mentor

Deborah Kemp joined South West Teacher Training (SWTT) in 2023, bringing a wealth of experience. Currently teaching at St. Luke’s Church of England School, she trained for her English and Drama PGCE in London and has served as an examiner and lead moderator for Drama Edexcel. Deborah has held leadership roles across the southeast and southwest, where she engaged in initial teacher training, mentoring, and coaching. Aligned with SWTT’s vision, she is committed to preparing resilient, inspiring educators who make a positive impact on young people, driven by inclusion and social justice.

Maya Zographides

Lead Maths Mentor

Maya Zographides is a dedicated mathematics educator and leader, serving as the Lead Subject Mentor for Maths with South West Teacher Training and as Lead Practitioner at All Saints Academy, Plymouth. As a Teach First graduate, Maya integrates a deep commitment to social justice into her teaching, fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment. Her diverse experiences, having lived in various countries, enrich her teaching approach and broaden the perspectives she brings to the classroom.

Maya's enthusiasm for mathematics is infectious, and her teaching practice is grounded in research-based methods, leading to outstanding results for her students. Beyond her classroom responsibilities, she also serves as the Duke of Edinburgh Manager at the school, encouraging students to develop essential life skills through extracurricular challenges.

Her work exemplifies a commitment to educational excellence and a belief in the transformative power of learning, inspiring students and colleagues alike.

Dani May

Lead English Mentor

Dani May is a passionate English educator and leader, serving as the Lead Subject Mentor for English with South West Teacher Training and playing a pivotal role within the Bridge Schools Trust. In her position, she brings a wealth of experience and a dedication to nurturing students' love for English language and literature. Dani is committed to fostering a supportive and dynamic learning environment, where students can develop their skills and confidence in reading, writing, and critical analysis.

She is an SLE (Specialist Leader for Education) in English across primary and secondary settings and a writing moderator for Cornwall and Devon County Council. She also facilitates the NPQLL (National Qualification in Leading Literacy) and is an assessor for the NPQSL, NPQLT and NPQLBC.

Her work is marked by a student-centered approach, tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners. Dani’s deep understanding of curriculum design and teaching strategies helps her achieve remarkable outcomes in literacy development. As an advocate for educational best practices, she is always seeking ways to refine and enhance her teaching through continuous professional development and collaboration with colleagues.

Dani's commitment to excellence extends beyond the classroom, as she plays a key role in mentoring and guiding trainee teachers to become effective and inspiring educators. Her work embodies a dedication to empowering students and educators alike, ensuring that a love for learning thrives throughout the Bridge Schools Trust.

Rich Pepperell

Lead Science Mentor

Rich Pepperell (he/him) is a dedicated science educator and leader, currently an Assistant Headteacher at Cranbrook Education Campus and Ted Wragg Trust Leader for Science. In addition to his leadership role, Rich is the Lead Subject Mentor for Science with South West Teacher Training, where he plays a key role in shaping the next generation of science educators.

With a passion for scientific inquiry and a commitment to fostering curiosity in students, Rich ensures that his teaching practices are grounded in research and evidence-based strategies. His approach emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and real-world applications, making science both accessible and engaging for all students.

Rich’s leadership extends beyond the classroom, where he actively supports trainee teachers in developing their skills, confidence, and pedagogical expertise. He is dedicated to empowering educators to deliver high-quality science education, ensuring that students across the Ted Wragg Trust experience a transformative learning journey.

Rachel Hawke

Lead Geography Mentor

Rachel Hawke, Head of Geography at Isca Academy, joined SWTT in 2021. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Chartered Geographer, Rachel is dedicated to advancing geographical education. Aligned with SWTT’s commitment to nurturing educators who inspire positive change, she brings expertise in her field and a passion for fostering resilient, inclusive learning environments that reflect social justice. Her leadership and experience support SWTT’s vision of developing impactful educators who make a meaningful difference in young people’s lives.

Liz Kilkelly

Lead Religious Education Mentor

Liz Kilkelly joined SWTT in 2019, bringing extensive teaching experience across various educational settings. Currently, she teaches Philosophy and Applied Ethics at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School and serves as an Eduqas examiner. With her background as a former Head of Department, Liz is dedicated to fostering reflective and inclusive learning, aligned with SWTT’s vision. Her expertise in Religious Education supports the development of educators who promote social justice and positively impact students’ lives.

Joanna Leach

Lead DT, Art and Design Mentor

Joanna Leach, Lead Subject Mentor for Art and Design Technology at SWTT, joined in 2019 with a rich background in arts education across primary and secondary settings. With a BA in Art & Design and a PGCE, Jo is deeply committed to the transformative impact of the arts. Her approach emphasizes hands-on, student-centered learning, fostering self-expression and critical thinking. Aligned with SWTT’s vision, Jo inspires trainee teachers to champion creative subjects, ensuring arts remain an essential part of education for developing cultural awareness and innovation.

Gary Burman

Lead Physical Education Mentor

Gary Burman, Lead Physical Education Mentor at SWTT, joined in 2020, bringing extensive expertise in sports education. With a BSc in Physical Education, Sports Science, and Geography and a PGCE, Gary is also Head of Physical Education at St James School in Exeter. A dedicated athlete who competes internationally in Sprint Triathlons, Gary’s passion for sports inspires both his students and trainee teachers. His practical, hands-on approach aligns with SWTT’s vision, promoting excellence, resilience, and a commitment to impactful physical education.

Britt Tonge

Lead Modern Foreign Languages Mentor

Britt Tonge is an inspiring educator and leader, serving as the Lead Subject Mentor for Modern Foreign Languages with South West Teacher Training and as the Head of Global Studies and Teacher of French at All Saints Academy. A proud alumna of South West Teacher Training, Britt brings a strong commitment to social justice into her teaching, ensuring that language education promotes inclusivity, cultural understanding, and global awareness.

With a passion for languages and a dedication to making learning accessible for all students, Britt emphasizes the importance of communication and cultural exploration. Her approach to teaching is grounded in fostering a love for languages, where students are encouraged to embrace different cultures and perspectives.

As a mentor, Britt supports trainee teachers in developing their pedagogical skills, helping them grow into confident and effective language educators. She is committed to equipping the next generation of teachers with the tools they need to make a positive impact on students' lives, both inside and beyond the classroom.

Britt’s work exemplifies the belief that language learning is not just an academic pursuit but a powerful means of fostering social change and building a more connected world.

Paul Meehan

Lead Computer Science Mentor

Paul Meehan, who joined SWTT in 2023, brings extensive experience mentoring trainee and early career teachers. With a BA in Social Anthropology and Philosophy and the title of ‘Master Teacher of Computer Science,’ Paul currently teaches at Cranbrook Education Campus. His work with SWTT aligns with the vision of equipping educators who inspire positive change. Paul’s commitment to excellence in computing education supports trainees in developing the skills to create inclusive and impactful learning environments in technology.

Patrick Saturley

Lead Music Mentor

Patrick Saturley is an accomplished music educator and Head of Music at Teignmouth Community School in the South West of England. With a commitment to expanding students’ musical horizons, Patrick has developed a diverse music program that includes choirs, bands, and orchestras, offering a range of performance opportunities across genres from classical to modern music  .

 

As Lead Music Mentor for South West Teacher Training, Patrick aligns with SWTT’s vision of fostering educators who inspire meaningful change in students’ lives. His approach emphasizes resilience, inclusion, and excellence in music education, supporting trainee teachers in creating engaging, student-centered learning environments. Patrick’s leadership helps future educators champion music as a powerful means of self-expression and cultural connection, in line with SWTT’s commitment to positive, socially just educational impact.

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