Meet our Governors

Barbara Barratt has a long association with the College having started teaching A Level Business Studies at the College in 1994.

In addition, she was part of the team which developed the vocational offer (e.g.BTEC) into the curriculum over time. Barbara became Course Manager for the successful Leisure and Tourism BTEC which continued until her retirement in 2011.

During her career at Huish Barbara was responsible for developing Enrichment which has grown to become an integral part of the student experience. The highly valued Extended Project Qualification at College was introduced by a team including Barbara and it became nationally recognised for its high-quality provision.

In addition to the high academic standards achieved by her students, a particular source of pride for Barbara comes from the significant fundraising efforts that they carried out over the years, supporting local causes and charities.

In 2022 the College enjoyed confirmation of its 20-year Ofsted Outstanding status and Barbara is proud to have been involved in all three Ofsted inspections during that period, as a staff member and, more recently, as a Governor of the College.

Her two daughters successfully completed their A Levels at the College.

Dave Tomaney is a Senior Manager at the UK Hydrographic Office responsible for product safety and chart production amongst other things. Prior to arriving at the UKHO in 2009 he had a 25 year career as an air traffic controller in the RAF. Dave has experience in managing safety systems, strategic planning and international working. Both his children went to Richard Huish College.

Nic Blunsum is Deputy Headteacher at Bishop Fox’s, where he has worked for the past five years. He has been a secondary school teacher in Somerset for the past 19 years, working at four different schools, and has experience of being in the senior leadership team of two of those schools. He has taught a number of subjects including Geography and vocational qualifications, up to A Level/Level 3 and has particular interest in student achievement and curriculum. Most recently he was been acting Headteacher at Bishop Fox’s for 10 months from June 2020.

Moira Reynolds, was appointed in December 2017. Moira is an Associate Solicitor with a local firm and her practice area is Family Law. Moira supports and enables her clients to move through challenging times. As a parent of a former and current Huish student, Moira appreciates the need to develop strategies that will enable young people moving into the workplace.

Mark Deakin is an independent Engineering Consultant providing specialist safety and airworthiness support, primarily to the defence aviation sector.

Prior to this role he had a 24-year career as an Aircraft Engineering Technician/Engineer Officer in the Royal Air Force.

Mark’s broad experience has seen him also work in the nuclear power generation and rail transportation sectors using his experience to provide independent technical evaluation services in the UK and overseas.

Anna Gabriel is an experienced Teacher and leader, having worked across secondary, sixth form, and undergraduate level education.

She held a 5-year Graduate Fellowship post at Wimbledon School of Art, within the postgraduate team. She also co-founded the education branch of a London-based, large-scale, artist-led charitable organisation.

Anna’s experience as Faculty Leader at Havering Sixth Form College provides her with insight into review, development and excellence within the sector.

Ian Brown was Managing Director of a UK Logistics Company having first qualified as an Accountant. He has had two children already graduate from Richard Huish College in addition to his youngest son who is in his final year. He has extensive business experience spent mainly with Pan European Organisations working with Global Customers. Outside supporting the College as a Governor he is working with various organisations on Alternative Fuels Projects for Vehicles. As a longstanding Season Ticket holder at Yeovil Town Football Club he considers resilience and optimism essential qualities.

Aaron Reid is currently Headteacher at Haygrove School in Bridgwater and has a daughter at the College. He has been teaching since 1995 and has held a number of senior positions in a range of secondary schools in the South West. He is keen to offer support in terms of learning and teaching, academic and pastoral transition and student progress. In his spare time, Aaron is a keen tennis player, but definitely could do with more practice.

Matt Morgan was appointed as a Staff Governor in December 2019 and has worked at the College since April 2005. Originally employed in an administrative role co-ordinating the sport enrichment provision, he has since taught A Level PE and is currently the Course Manager of Vocational Sport. Matt is passionate about the holistic experience the College offers young people and values the impact that this can have. Matt was previously Vice-Chair of Governors at a local primary school and is a founder member of Quantock Quickriders Cycling Club, regularly coaching young people on mountain bikes.

Gemma Lyons was appointed as a Staff Governor in 2023 with thirteen years of experience working in a variety of Further Education environments in a range of roles.

She has taught students of mixed abilities from age 14 years to adult learners, across courses from Level 2-4.

With a background in Social Science, she joined Huish in 2020 as a Childcare and Education Teacher and later took on an additional role as Teaching and Learning Lead for the School of Humanities and Social Science. 

Gemma has experience in quality assurance and is keen to support positive change which enriches the experiences of learners and staff. 

Outside of work, she is kept busy by her two young boys.

Joel Fowler and Hollie Wilkins are current students of the College and help ensure student voices are heard and their interests are represented.