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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

Teaching Experience: 28 Years
SWTT Experience: 7 Years

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

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 SWTT in 2023, bringing a wealth of experience.  She is currently teaching at St Luke’s Church of England School. She trained for her English and Drama PGCE in London and has been an examiner and lead moderator for Drama Edexcel over many years.  Deborah has held several leadership roles in the southeast and southwest of the country and in all these roles she has engaged in the delivery of initial teacher training. She is an experienced mentor and coach. Deborah is also a committed advocate for the Arts.

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.

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 teaches at Isca Academy, where she is Head of Geography.  She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Chartered Geographer and she joined the SWTT team in 2021.

Liz Kilkelly

Lead Religious Education Mentor

Liz Kilkelly – RE

Liz joined the SWTT team in 2019.  She has a wealth of teaching experience in many settings and has been a Head of Department in two schools.  Liz currently works as teacher of Philosophy and Applied Ethics at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School. She also works as an examiner for Eduqas.  Liz gained her degree in Theological Studies in 1992 and her PGCE 1993.

Joanna Leach

Lead DT, Art and Design Mentor

Joanna Leach is an experienced and passionate educator, serving as the Lead Subject Mentor for Art and Design Technology with South West Teacher Training. With a BA (Hons) in Art & Design gained in 1997, followed by a PGCE in 1998, Jo brings a wealth of expertise in arts education, spanning both primary and secondary school settings. Her career reflects a deep commitment to the transformative power of the arts in classrooms and communities alike.

Since joining the SWTT team in 2019, Jo has been dedicated to inspiring trainee teachers, sharing her extensive knowledge, and promoting the value of creative subjects in the curriculum. She is a strong advocate for the role of arts education in developing students' self-expression, critical thinking, and cultural awareness.

Jo's approach to teaching emphasizes hands-on, student-centered learning, where creativity and innovation are encouraged. Her work not only enriches the learning experiences of her students but also empowers trainee teachers to become confident, effective educators who champion the arts.

Through her leadership, Jo demonstrates a commitment to fostering a lifelong appreciation for art and design, ensuring that the creative subjects remain a vital part of educational experiences.

Gary Burman

Lead Physical Education Mentor

Gary holds a BSc in Physical Education, Sports Science, and Geography (2002) and earned his PGCE in Physical Education in 2003. He is currently the Head of Physical Education at St James School in Exeter, where he has been inspiring students with his passion for sports and fitness.

Since joining the SWTT team in 2020, Gary has brought a hands-on approach to training, sharing his subject expertise with enthusiasm and practical insights. An accomplished athlete, Gary represents Great Britain as part of the Age Group Team in Sprint Triathlon. This year, he will compete in both the European and World Championships, further demonstrating his commitment to excellence in sport.

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 - Computing

Paul has a BA (Hons) in Social Anthropology and Philosophy as well as being awarded ‘Master Teacher of Computer Science’.  He is an experienced mentor of trainee teachers and Early Career Teachers and is using this experience to benefit our Computing trainees.  Paul currently teaches at Cranbrook Education Campus and he joined the SWTT team in 2023.

Patrick Saturley

Lead Music Mentor