Meet our Governors

Barbara Barratt: Chair of College Governing Body

Barbara BarrattBarbara 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.

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

Dave Tomaney: Vice Chair of College Governing Body

Governor David TomaneyDave 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: Community Governor

Nic BlunsumNic 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.

Anna Gabriel: Community Governor

Anna GabrielAnna 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.

Richard Wood: Community Governor

Richard WoodRichard Wood is an experienced, independent consultant with a background as a former Police Officer, he maintains a keen working interest in the field of Law Enforcement.

In addition to his extensive professional background, Richard possesses a strong aptitude for computer systems. A Professional Member of the British Computer Society (MBCS) he is currently dedicating his time and effort to pursue an MSc in Computer Science and Cyber-Security, a testament to his commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and security practices.

Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Richard is an active contributor to his community. In his spare time, he is engaged in football coaching and talent identification, holding both UEFA and BSc (Hons) in Coaching for Performance in Football qualifications.

Both Richards’s sons have recently attended Huish.

Ian Brown: Community Governor

Ian BrownIan Brown was Managing Director of a UK Logistics Company having first qualified as an Accountant. He has had three children graduate from Richard Huish College. 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.

Johanna Marks: Community Governor

Johanna MarksJohanna Marks is an experienced Manager at the UK Hydrographic Office.

She has had a 17 year career there which started as a Marine Cartographer and she has spent the last 8 years managing teams outputs to time, cost and quality and driving efficiencies by analysing evidence based data to drive improvements.

Johanna is currently responsible for managing the Data Governance and Production Engineering Team giving her further experience in analysing data to bring to the role of Community Governor.

David Snell: Community Governor

David SnellDavid Snell is an experienced Teacher within the local area, having worked in the classroom and the pivotal role of a House Parent.

Prior to becoming a teacher David enjoyed roles within the pharmaceutical industry and the Royal Marines.

He has previous experience supporting a school leadership team in the role of Community Governor at a local Pupil Referral Unit (PRU).

David’s experience in industry and education gives him an insight into the needs of the students, Teachers and the College.

Beyond the classroom he enjoys being part of Somerset RC Tri Club, which allows him cycle, run and sample a variety of cakes.

Hannah Curtis: Staff Governor

Hannah Curtis Hannah Curtis has worked for Huish since 2018 across a variety of teaching teams and is currently the Course Manager for Sociology & Criminology.

Hannah has been a Teacher since before 2014, working at three different colleges in the Somerset area.

She has taught several subjects including Psychology, Sociology and Criminology up to Level 3 standard and has provided further services to different exam boards such as marking and curriculum development.

Beyond the classroom she likes to participate in functional fitness and Olympic weightlifting.

Richard Hatcher: Parent Governor

Richard HatcherRichard Hatcher has spent 35 years in UK Retail Banking in a variety of senior roles within Planning, Strategy Development, and Transformational Change Programmes.

He has three children, two of whom attended Richard Huish College and the third is a current student.

His leisure time is spent as an avid supporter of Somerset County Cricket Club as well as playing golf.

 

Student Governors

Lucy Halley (L) and Jasmine Fowler (R) are current students of the College and help ensure student voices are heard and their interests are represented.

Student GovernorStudent Governor

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