Meet our Head Teachers

After a career in retail and bringing up our four children, I did my PGCE at Exeter University, specialising in Humanities, and started my teaching career at a large school in Barnstaple. Since then, I have taught in schools in North and Mid Devon and across all year groups, most recently in Early Years, and feel privileged to be part of the learning and character development of children throughout their Primary years. I am passionate about ensuring that children develop their strengths within and outside of the classroom to ensure aspiration and reach their potential in all areas of their lives. A large part of my practice is spent outside, supporting children to learn through and about the environment, developing their life skills and becoming thoughtful, respectful and responsible citizens of the future. When not in school, I enjoy walking the moors and coastline with my family, riding with my youngest daughter and learning how to teach our miniature shetland pony agility tricks!

I feel honoured and privileged to be in post as Headteacher and join the wonderful Combe Martin community and passionate, dedicated staff in our school. Having trained in Combe Martin School, and worked closely with the team, as a federation and now MAT over a number of years, it feels really special to start the next chapter of my career here. I have been lucky enough to have taught in all year groups over my years as a teacher and I have led in a variety of areas and subjects. I will remain very much part of the teaching team and you'll most likely find me in the classroom and out on the playground teaching and working closely with children and staff. Developing good character and a love of school and learning lies at the heart of all that I do. It's such a wonderful feeling to be out on the gate each morning, welcoming a sea of smiling faces, eager to get into class and stuck into their learning! I prioritise building positive relationships with children, staff, our families and the local community to create a shared culture, where all of us are invested in the education and experiences of the next generation. Our new School Values, developed with staff and families, 'Aim High, Be proud, Inspiring Change together' encapsulates our desire as a school community to ensure that children are ambitious, confident, active learners who aren't afraid of taking risks and take pride in their achievements. The Changemakers of the future! I believe that a creative, broad and balanced curriculum, full of enrichment activities and opportunities for children to shine as individuals and as part of a team is the key to achieving our aims. When it comes to the curriculum, I have a passion for STEAM subjects, (Science, Teachnology, Engineering, Art and Maths) and can't wait to start looking at opportunities to develop these areas further along with utilising our beautiful surroundings.

I am proud to be the Headteacher of Webber’s and Burlescombe CE Primary Schools. I have worked in education for over 20 years and, prior to becoming Headteacher, I was Deputy Headteacher at Galmpton CE Primary School. I am passionate about creating school communities where every child feels safe, valued and inspired to reach their full potential. I believe that education is at its most powerful when schools and families work together, and I am committed to ensuring that communication with parents and carers is open, supportive and positive. It is a privilege to lead both schools, and I am passionate about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to flourish, develop confidence and character, and enjoy a rich and rewarding primary school experience. Outside of school, I am a busy mum to four children – aged 23, 22 and 18-year-old twins – and also to a very energetic Sprocker Spaniel!

Gail Holmes started her teaching career in 2003 after completing a 4 year Primary BEd, with the University of Plymouth. During her teaching career, Gail has led different subject areas including PE ad Science and has taught every year group. She was Deputy Headteacher at two schools before becoming Acting Headteacher at Woolacombe School, which became a National Support School in 2010. Whilst Head of School, she supported change management across several schools who federated with Woolacombe. During that time she also became the Specialist Leader of Education at the Teaching School based at Woolacombe, leading the Initial Teacher Training schemes. She now leads Woolacombe School and the North Devon Teaching School Alliance. In her role as SLE and leading Woolacombe National Support and Teaching School, Gail provides school to school support through hosting visits to Woolacombe School, visiting other schools, deploying SLE’s and working with Headteachers, leaders and teachers. Gail ensures Woolacombe School has the capacity to provide School Improvement through a system leadership approach and working closely with other leaders within the North Devon Teaching School Alliance. Gail is an OLEVI facilitator and facilitates CPD programmes on behalf of the Teaching School. She passionately believes in the work of the Teaching School through a school led self-improving model of system leadership. Gail’s passion is the Curriculum and ensuring all children have a broad range of high quality experiences to enrich their learning and enable them to have a deep body of knowledge across a range of different subject areas. Gail wants to ensure all children have the knowledge and the skills to empower, encourage and inspire them to become life-long learners, who are confident, creative, respectful, resilient, independent learners who understand how core values can enrich their life. Gail is also passionate about Physical Education and actively encourages children to be active and healthy, both physically and mentally. Gail lives locally and grew up in North Devon. She enjoys working and living in the local community to bring up her own family. Gail and her husband spend lots of their spare time volunteering to coach at their own children’s sporting clubs including the local football, swimming and Woolacombe Surf Life Saving Club. Gail was a keen swimmer and still enjoys swimming, running and has recently had a go at competing for the masters at Woolacombe Surf Life Saving Club. She enjoys being outdoors and active with her family, making the most of the beautiful North Devon Coastline.