Trustees & Members

William de Bolla

Vice Chair - appointed 11.7.2017-resigned as Vice Chair Sept 2020- resigned as a Trustee 10.7.2021

Appointed as a member 15.7.21

Will became a trustee at Oakfield Academy in 2017, as part of a personal desire to use his skills to help the local community. With a Maths degree and a professional career covering Management Consultancy and now Data Science, he is approachable, analytical, and likes using data to drive decision making. He is a big believer in opportunity for everyone, and that every child is capable of achievement with the right support. Outside of work he loves playing and watching sport, and enjoys explaining maths, science and programming to anyone who’ll listen.

Sarah Hynds

Vice Chair & Community Trustee- appointed pre 2000, resigned as a Trustee 21.1.2020

Member from 21.1.2020

I have been honoured and proud to be associated with Oakfield Academy since 1993, first as a parent and then as a Trustee. I have held the office of Vice Chair and also Chair. I live and work in Frome as a Child-minder and also as a Family Support worker for Somerset getset services. I am passionate about ensuring that at Oakfield Academy we provide opportunities and support for all our young people in the community, to enable them to flourish and be the best that they can be.

Tim Cutting

appointed 1.1.09, resigned as a Trustee 21.1.2020

Member from 21.1.2020

Tim Cutting is 66 years old, retired and lives in Frome. In 2001 he sold his share in a manufacturing business that he started with his wife and which grew to become a thriving commercial success. Since coming to Frome in 2006 he has studied for and gained an MSc in Architecture (Advanced Energy and Environmental Studies) at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT). He was a trustee and Board member of ECOS Trust and ECOS Homes, and is currently a director of Frome Renewable Energy Cooperative (FRECO), Frome Cohousing CIC and the Carley Development Trust CIC. Stepped down as Chair of Governors July 2018.

Gary Smart

Staff, Pupils and Wellbeing & Finance Committee

Member & Trustee

Gary is a member of the Wellbeing & Finance Committee & enjoys all the challenges being a trustee brings. I have been in business for 30 years and own two garages in Bath. I joined Oakfield as a parent governor in late 1998, initially to ask about and challenge parts of my eldest son’s education. I soon became aware how difficult it is to be a teacher/TA/administrator/cleaner/supervisor in a school. I enjoy being involved in the committees and taking an active part in decision-making. Now I have a granddaughter at Oakfield and still feel as passionate about the need to provide a safe and welcoming school where all children, no matter their ability or background, get an equal opportunity to succeed.

Chris James

Appointed 5.5.22

Member from June 22

Chris is a Frome resident, and a former Professor of Educational Leadership and Management at the University of Bath having retired in January 2020. As an academic, his research and teaching centered on how schools are organised and governed. He has four children and seven grandchildren. Chris has been a school governor and the chair of the board of a Multi-academy Trust in Bath. He is passionate about education and its significance for individuals and society generally.

Kate Hellard

Chair/ SEND Link Trustee appointed 11.9.18 - member appointed

Staff, Pupils & Wellbeing, Business & Finance and Quality of Education Committee

Kate Hellard comes into her governing role with over 20 years’ experience of working with children and young people; in schools, for a local authority as a development worker for disabled children and their families, and with national and local charities. She has worked across B&NES, Somerset and Dorset with disabled children and young people, travellers and more recently ran a large play organisation delivering play ranger sessions and other play services. Kate now works for Frome Town Council, where she is a Community Project Officer; supporting local organisations to become resilient to changes in funding and meet the challenges of rising demand for their services. She is also building participative projects across the town together with local organisations and residents. She is passionate about inclusion and participation and believes that experience is the key to enable children and adults to making informed choices; enabling everyone to affect positive change in their immediate and wider communities. Kate has four children at various stages of their education journey in Frome and has been a parent at Oakfield for 10 years with many more to come.

Gary Smart

Co-opted Trustee & member- appointed pre 2000

Staff, Pupils and Wellbeing & Finance Committee

Gary is a member of the Pupil, Staff and Wellbeing and Finance Committees and enjoys all the challenges being a trustee brings. He has been in business for 30 years and owns two garages in Bath. He joined Oakfield as a parent governor in late 1998, initially to ask about and challenge parts of his eldest son’s education. He soon became aware how difficult it is to be a teacher/TA/administrator/cleaner/supervisor in a school. Gary enjoys being involved in the committees and taking an active part in decision-making. Now he has a granddaughter at Oakfield and still feels as passionate about the need to provide a safe and welcoming school where all children, no matter their ability or background, get an equal opportunity to succeed.

Christopher Salmon

Parent Trustee appointed - 18.12.2020

Parent

With a background in the media, Chris hopes to use his experience to help Oakfield Academy build closer relationships with parents. These are tough times for schools, but he aims to be a passionate and committed supporter of Oakfield, and one who works hard to make a difference.

Emma Wilkes

Headteacher - appointed 1.1.2014

Staff, Pupils and Wellbeing, Finance Committee & Quality of Education Committee

Emma Wilkes was appointed as Headteacher of Oakfield Academy in January 2014. She has previously been the Acting Headteacher, Deputy Headteacher and Assistant Headteacher at King Arthur's School in Wincanton, responsible for the whole school curriculum, timetables, staffing, options, examinations and results in particular. Prior to that she held the position of Head of Maths at Kingdown School in Warminster and Head of Year at Hengrove School in Bristol. She lives in the centre of Frome with her son Alex.

Neil Corcoran

Parent Trustee appointed - 18.12.2020

Staff, Pupils and Wellbeing committee

As a parent of Oakfield children and a volunteer in the education sector Neil understands the need for help and support from the community and as a Parent Trustee he intends to assist with the continuing development and improvement of standards within a school close to his heart. In his career as an R&D scientist he has gained valuable skills in project and personnel management as well as problem solving and safety/risk assessment. He plans to use his time to help towards the continued effective running of the school.

Kathy Pinches

Staff Trustee Appointed 26.4.21

Staff

Kathy has been a member of staff at Oakfield since 2013. This followed a significant career change after many years in Finance (she is a Chartered Accountant) – a change she is very pleased to have made. She is committed to Oakfield’s aim to enable EVERY pupil at the Academy to achieve their full potential and to encourage a lifelong love of learning. As a staff trustee, Kathy hopes to use her skills in both education and finance to support the Academy in achieving these aims in whatever way she can. On a personal note, Kathy enjoys music of all genres. She sings in a community choir and her Covid lockdown project has been to learn the oboe – lifelong learning in action!

Melody Hunter Evans

Parent Trustee appointed 8.12.22

As a parent Trustee, Melody is keen to support parental voice within her trustee role. She brings a wealth of experience from her previous job roles in Play work, Youthwork, Teaching and Children and Young People’s Participation. She has a real interest in children and young people mental health and in a previous role supported schools across Devon to implement an early help mental health project for all ages. Her current role as the Children and Young People’s project officer with Frome Town Council gives her an insight into the Frome Community. She has also sat on governing boards for her children’s previous schools and nurseries as well as being Parent Representative for one of the MATS they were part of.

Stephanie Stevens

Co-opted Trustee appointed 16.3.2023

Stephanie is a retired teacher and lecturer of biology and psychology with over fifteen years of UK experience as a trustee and chairman of several charities. She has also been a governor in two schools in the past (an outstanding Academy and a school for the profoundly disabled) and a town councillor. She holds the Oxford University’s Business School Certificate of Executive Leadership and has strengths in research, analysis, strategy, finance, and audit and risk. Stephanie puts children’s education at the forefront, having four grandsons, three-step granddaughters and a step-grandson, whose welfare is dear to her heart in this post-COVID landscape. Her motto is Ghandi‘s “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Ian Phillips

Co-opted Trustee appointed 16.3.2023

Resigned 23.8.23

Ian taught Mathematics in secondary schools in Wiltshire, Devon and Somerset for 40 years, working as Head of Mathematics at two schools. He also has experience of working within senior leadership teams. As a trade union official for the NASUWT, he was a county representative in Wiltshire, a National Executive Member and President of the South West Region. He has also previously been a Teacher Governor and a Church Governor. Ian brings all this knowledge and experience, as well as his belief in education as a means for the advancement of all, to his work at Oakfield Academy.

Shonogh Pilgrim

Co-opted Trustee - joined 14.1.22. member appointed.

Resigned 9.5.23

Shonogh has over 25 years of experience in the education sector. She started her career as a teaching assistant, going on to teach Psychology and Science in several secondary schools in the counties around her home city of Bristol. Shonogh secured her first leadership position after 4 years of teaching and was appointed to the role of Principal in 2014. Shonogh has worked relentlessly over her career to ensure that every student, regardless of ability or background is given the opportunity to be the best they can be. Her work was highly praised by OFSTED in their publication ‘Key Stage 3: The Wasted Years?’ which highlighted the strength of her commitment to work with partner schools to provide the best possible experience for all students in the area. Shonogh is a passionate supporter of comprehensive education and believes that every child has the right to have a creative and enlightening education that prepares them well to take their place in society. Shonogh is hopeful by nature and believes that a seed of brilliance lies in everyone. Having led her school for over 7 years Shonogh took the difficult decision to leave the teaching profession for a role with Whole Education as Director of Secondary networks. This privileged role allows her to work with school leaders to transform their schools for the greater good of their children, staff and communities. She is excited to be joining the board of Oakfield Academy.

Ruth Davis

Member appointed trustee 15.11.2022

Resigned 9.5.23

Claire Hopkins

LA Trustee appointed 1.9.2007.

Resigned as a Trustee 16.3.23

Claire Hopkins runs her own consultancy business providing expertise in stakeholder engagement and change management, business development and customer success, project management and marketing. She has over 25 years’ experience and currently works with several software-as-a-service growth-stage businesses. She is currently a Director of RIVIAM Digital Care. Claire has previously held senior roles in both the private and public sector including as Head of Internal and Executive Communications for Dell EMEA, a Director at international marketing agency Hill and Knowlton and Marketing Director at business consultancy Ctrl-Shift. Claire has an MBA with distinction from the Bath School of Management and is a certified Project Manager. She has a great interest in digital and tech, privacy and trust, and how to help children build the skills they need to thrive in our increasingly digital and connected world. She is Chair of the Pay and Personnel Committee at Oakfield Academy, link governor for Quality of Education, and is delighted to be have been part of the governing body for the last 10 years.