Governors

Andy Jones

Chair appointed 12.12.25

Gary Smart

SEND link/Co-opted Governor- 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 Governor appointed - 18.12.20

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.

Neil Corcoran

Parent Governor appointed - 18.12.20

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.

Tamsyn Davel

Staff Governor Appointed 14 July 24.

With 14 years of experience in the field of education, Tamsyn Davel brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her role at Oakfield Academy, where she has been a dedicated member of the team for the past three years. Tamsyn’s educational philosophy centers around the belief that children should be at the heart of their learning journey. She is deeply committed to the idea that education is the key to unlocking every child's potential and shaping their future. Tamsyn completed her Bachelor of Education degree in South Africa and has had the privilege of teaching in both South Africa and England. This diverse experience allows her to offer a fresh and unique perspective on education, blending different approaches to create an enriching learning environment for her students.

Matthew Sledge

Parent - appointed 2.10.2024

Matt has three children, who all attend Midsomer Norton Schools' Partnership schools. His eldest went to Oakfield Academy, his middle child is currently at the school, and his youngest will attend in two years’ time. As a parent governor, Matt looks forward to supporting the school as it continues to improve. Having held commercial roles in telecoms for more than twenty years, Matt enjoys working with new technology and is keen to promote education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Sophie Addison

Vice Chair MNSP Trust appointed 24.9.24

Sophie Addison is a senior leader in the MNSP, with responsibility for the strategic development, oversight and improvement of special schools and alternative provision within the Trust. . Her work centres around ensuring high quality SEND and AP provision, supporting schools in meeting complex needs, and contributing to overall Trust growth and performance. Sophie is also a parent and has children at Oakfield Academy.

Claire Hudson

Director appointed 22.5.25

Claire has significant education governance experience at primary, secondary and specialist school phases, including chairing LGBs in each phase; she was a National Leader of Governance from 2016-2021. Claire currently works for the Diocese of Bath & Wells, as one of the Assistant Directors of Education where she is responsible for the 181 sites church school estate, net zero in the school estate, education governance and training. Claire served as a local authority councillor from 2003-2019 and remains politically active. Claire is a trustee of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership. She also delivers MNSP’s induction training and other governance training as requested As a Frome resident, and with family members having been to Oakfield, she is pleased to join the LGB having not previously been a governor in a middle school

Michelle Parsons

Executive Head Teacher at Oakfield Academy - appointed 22.4.25

Stephanie Stevens

Co-opted Governor appointed 16.3.2023. Resigned 29.1.25

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.”

Kathy Pinches

Staff Governor Appointed 26.4.21- resigned 25.4.25

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!

Emma Wilkes

Headteacher - appointed 1.1.2014 - resigned 4.4.25

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.

Melody Hunter Evans

Head of Governor's appointed 8.12.22 Resigned 28.11.25

Staff, Pupils & wellbeing and Quality of Education

Melody is keen to support parental voice within her governor 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.