Meet the Staff
Senior Leadership Team
Clare Wilmott - Headteacher
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
I have been working in education for the past 29 years, 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.
Alongside working as a SENDCo, I also work in higher education, on the post-graduate programme for trainee teachers at Exeter University.
Chris Johnston- Key Stage 2 Teacher and Safeguarding Officer
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.
Teaching Staff
Anna Fay - Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Lead and Key Stage 1 Teacher
I have been teaching at Bow Community Primary School for 8 years and I love seeing the children grow, as they move through the school. I thoroughly enjoy teaching in Foxcubs, welcoming new families to the school and building relationships with the children in reception. I am lucky enough to have some of the Year 1's too in Foxcubs, where we continue to build on their learning.
I came to teaching later, when I decided to go to university aged 36. This was after my youngest child had started school. Before teaching, I was a nanny for a family in Surrey and worked at a local pre-school when I moved to Devon. I have also been a Mealtime Assistant and a Teaching Assistant.
I have three children, all grown up now, and we love getting together as a family. In my free time, I like to watch TV and read.
Awaiting Details - Key Stage 1 Teacher
Alice Humberston - Key Stage 2 Teacher
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.
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.
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.
Jo Jones - PPA Teacher
I started my teaching career in 1995. I worked mainly in two small schools in Somerset and North Devon. In 2000, I left teaching to start a family. 11 years and three amazing children later, I decided it was time to return to work. I started back as a one-to-one TA in North Tawton Primary School and then moved to Bow Community Primary School to cover teachers’ PPA time in September 2012.
I love the fact that I see the children grow and develop throughout the school. I enjoy teaching all ages – which surprised me at first, as I originally only taught Reception/Year 1.
Out of school, I enjoy the outdoors with my family (when they are home) and two dogs. We love the beach – you’ll find the dogs and I on the sand, the rest of the family surfing. Afterwards, we’ll be enjoying a cup of tea in our camper van. I also enjoy pilates, church and I help out in our local amateur dramatics group.
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.
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.
Jenny Welsh - Teaching Assistant
I moved to Devon from London many years ago, where I worked as an Event Coordinator in the city and immediately fell in love with the area, the fresh air and the way of life. I have been a TA at Bow Community Primary School for more years than I like to admit and love working with the children. I have always been in Hares until this year and now I am splitting my time between Foxcubs and Stags. Outside school I like to keep fit, and I keep busy with my children and my dog; we can often be seen on Dartmoor.
Sandra Marsh - Teaching Assistant
Sally Smallman - Teaching Assistant, Meal Time Assistant
Catherine Tiley - Teaching Assistant
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.
Cat Seymour - Teaching Assistant
I have been working at Bow Community Primary School since September 2020. Prior to this, I had a 13 year career in Health and Social care, working with adult that had autism and learning disabilities.
I currently work in Stags' Class but have worked in all KS2 classes. I love assisting the children in class so that they can reach their full learning potential.
I absolutely love anything crafty and my favourite time of the week is the Craft Club which I run on a Thursday lunchtime.
I also run Board Games Club on Tuesday and Lego Therapy interventions.
When I not at work and organising my 3 boys, I love singing and participate in a local amateur dramatic society. I also assist and help run a local youth club and love walking my dog Lola and baking at home.
Caroline Hulland - Teaching Assistant, Meal Time Assistant, Kitchen Assistant
Hayley Smith - Teaching Assistant
Jemma Greenwood
Office Staff
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!
Support Staff
Mary Cockerham - Meal Time Assistant
Julie Dyer - Kitchen Manager
Awaiting Details - Kitchen Assistant
Deb May - Meal Time Assistant