Meet the Staff

Clare Wilmott

Headteacher and DSL

I have been teaching since 1999, where I started my career in a coastal school in North Wales. Eight years later, I moved to live and teach in Devon and have taught in a number of schools, mostly small rural schools. 

I am very passionate about ensuing that the pupils at Bow Community Primary School have the best opportunities possible so that they can become the best versions of themselves. 

I feel very privileged to be Headteacher at Bow Community Primary School and can honestly say that I enjoy coming to school every day! No day is ever the same! I am very fortunate to work alongside a superb team of governors, staff and amazing pupils. 

Alison Gillard

SENDCo and DSL

I have been working in education since 1993 as a class teacher (where I have taught all ages from nursery through to year 6), a Head of School and a SENDCo in a number of schools in North and Mid-Devon.

I really enjoy working at Bow Community Primary School as the SENDCo and feel privileged to be part of such a great team - the children, staff, governors and parents.

Gemma Salmon

Key Stage 2 Teacher

I have been a teacher for nearly 20 years and started my career in a large, inner-city Junior School in Gloucester. I have experience of teaching in every year group in Key Stage 2 and have led English, Maths, Science and PE in my time.
I moved to Devon in 2012 and joined Bow CP School where I am one of the longest serving members of staff. I started off at Bow teaching in Stags (year 6) and then in 2018, I took a year out to have my little boy, Stanley, before returning to teach in Hares (year 3/4). I am passionate about teaching and helping pupils reach their full potential whilst making lessons engaging and fun! I play netball outside of school and enjoy going to the gym, watching sport and spending time with Stanley and my partner, Matt.

Jo Drake 

Key Stage 1 Teacher

 

Chris Johnston

Key Stage 2 Teacher and DSL

I am Stags' Class teacher and have been for over five years.  With over a decade of teaching experience across key stage two, I have been happiest in the important role of preparing the pupils at Bow for their next big educational step into secondary school, whilst helping them to get the most out of their final years in school and building some great memories to take away with them.

My class would likely associate me with: ties, music listening, Exeter City, bad dancing and my 'wonderful' singing.  I would characterise myself as all the above but mainly as a family man with a wonderful wife and two Primary-school-age children.

Alison Humberstone

Key Stage 1 Teacher

  

Linda Williamson

PPA Teacher

After a 10 year career in hair and make-up – predominantly in the London Theatres, I moved to Devon and started my teaching career in 1995. In the past 27 years, I have taught every year group in primary and have also taught as a specialist art teacher in The West of England School for the Blind and Partially Sighted.

I have been teaching at Bow Community Primary School for 3 years and have recently taken on a new role as Art Teacher for the whole school and PSHE teacher.

I have a real passion for art and I am really excited to share this passion with the children and inspire them to explore and experiment with many techniques and skills. I am looking forward to sharing all the children’s achievements in our termly Art Exhibition.

As PSHE lead for the school, I am also passionate for our children to become healthy, independent and responsible members of a society.

I enjoy gardening, painting and spending time with my family and friends

 

Jenn Hayes

Key Stage 2 Teacher

 

Claire Davey

Key Stage 2 Teacher

After 15 years as an Early years practitioner in a local nursery, and having had my own children, I decided to have a career change and train as a teacher. I started teaching in 2019 in Reception and Key Stage 1 at a school near Exeter, and then was delighted to move nearer to home when I joined the team at Bow Community Primary School in 2022.

I currently teach Hares' Class (yr 3/4) 2 days a week, and thoroughly enjoy the humour and independence older children bring to the day! I also lead music and RE across the school, both of which I am passionate about as I often play the piano or flute to lead worship at the church I attend with my family. 

Beyond school, I enjoy walking with our dog, especially over Exmoor, watching 999 programmes on TV and spending time with Lily and Evie and my husband, Craig.

Sally Smallman

HLTA

 

Catherine Tiley

Early Years and Key Stage 1

Known in school as Mrs Sweetland, I am a qualified nursery nurse and started my career in early years working in a nursery with 2 - 4 year olds, after working there for 9 years I moved to Ireland for a year with my partner for an adventure, we moved back to Devon when we started our family.

I have been a teaching assistant in KS1 since 2015 and have worked in Otters and Foxcubs. I currently work in Foxcubs and love working with the younger children and seeing them grow and develop as they prepare to continue their educational journey into Key Stage 2.

 

Kirsty Loader

HLTA

I grew up in Reading and studied Biology at Staffordshire University, before moving to Devon in 2002, where I worked as a Microbiologist for 10 years. After my son started school, I volunteered as a parent helper, became an MTA and then trained to become a TA. I moved to Bow Community Primary School in 2019, where I have worked in every class and been lucky enough to have completed my HLTA qualification so can also teach, if required. I have started an after school KS2 netball club.

Away from work, I love spending time with my two children, watching my son play football and my daughter compete at trampolining and tumbling. 

Caroline Hulland

Teaching Assistant, Meal Time Assistant, Kitchen Assistant

 

Michelle Brine

Teaching Assistant

I have been working in education since 1997, from pre-school to Year 6, and have been a TA at Bow Community Primary School since 2003, making me one of the longest serving members of staff.  During my time at Bow, I have worked in every class, both as a 1:1 TA and a general TA, delivering a wide range of interventions with particular emphasis on social and emotional development, including 5 years as the school’s licensed Thrive practitioner.  Currently, I am the class TA in Badgers.

Hayley Smith

Teaching Assistant

 

Sandra Marsh

Teaching Assistant

 

Susan Vile

Senior Administrator

I have been working in school administration for over 31 years and have been Senior Administrator at Bow Community Primary School for 9 years.  I have seen many, many changes in Education over the years, but still find the job very rewarding and know how important the contribution of the office staff is to ensure the smooth running of the school, which in turn provides an effective education for the pupils.

 

Mel Butler

Admin Assistant

I have worked at Bow Community Primary School for over ten years. I have previously worked in the Foxcubs class. My favourite activity is creating Excel Spreadsheets!

 

Mary Cockerham

Meal Time Assistant

 

Julie Dyer

Kitchen Manager

 

Deb May

Meal Time Assistant

 

Beth Gutans

Meal Time Assistant

 

Karen Gutans

Meal Time Assistant