The Beacon C of E (VA) Primary School

Mrs Anne Billington,

Headteacher. Ex Officio Governor

I have taught and undertaken a wide variety of leadership roles in both small and large, Church and Community schools in Devon for over 25 years.  My own teaching experience is from Nursery to Year 7, I’ve been a school governor since 2003 and a head teacher since 2010. 

I live locally and worship in the mission community Holy Trinity is a part of.  I have three children, all grown up and a grandchild. 

I am committed to ensuring The Beacon continues to build on its many strengths, and engenders in our children and families the sort of primary school memories they will treasure whilst developing the skills, knowledge and understanding that provide the rock for them to build on, ready to enjoy the next steps in their educational journey.

Mrs Caroline Walshaw,

Co-Chair of Governors.  Foundation Governor.

I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in May 2020, having previously been a Parent Governor. I have two children at the school.  As a primary school teacher, I have an active interest in developing future generations, and being able to invest some of that energy into my own children’s school is a real honour.  I was elected as Chair in September 2019 and am dedicated to working with our excellent team of Governors, Mrs. Billington, the wonderful school staff team and you, our parents, to make the Beacon C of E Primary School a thriving, happy and highly successful school for our whole community.  I adore reading - both to children and for myself - and I can also often be found out at Adventure School, making the most of the outdoors!  

 Mrs Kate Hurley, Parent Governor. Chair of Resources. 

I feel privileged to have been appointed part of The Beacon's governing body. My son has been a pupil at the school since 2023, and as a parent and educator that is passionate about quality, inclusive education, I am thrilled to be part of a team that supports the school in providing outstanding provision for our children. 

Professionally, I am a former Asst. Headteacher with over twenty years of experience in the primary and secondary sectors in maintained, independent and international schools. I am currently a freelance education consultant, digital learning designer and independent school inspector and I also teach Drama part time at an independent senior school. 

In my spare time I run a youth theatre summer school and volunteer for several local community groups, managing their social media communications. I sing with a choir, play piano and enjoy running along our beautiful coastline as well as offshore rowing with the local rowing club. 

I hope that my skills and experience will make a useful contribution to the governing body. I am very much looking forward to working alongside the dedicated Beacon team. 

Mr Tim Pratt,

Co-Chair of Governors. Local Authority Governor. 

 Online safety lead.

I am the father of a pupil in school and having spent years collecting my daughter from school, I was impressed by how friendly the staff are and how welcoming the school is. In return for looking after my daughter I thought I would like to give something back to the school.

I currently work for Devon County Council, and have done for the past 30 plus years, working in the IT department, so I have a fair insight into how aspects of local government operate.

Outside of work, my main sport is Archery and I am currently the chairman of Exmouth Archers, who most will know for our car boot sales, up on our own grounds at Withycombe Raleigh Common. Within Archery I have volunteered at many levels and for some years was responsible for our National Tournaments, as well as local ones. I was a volunteer at Lords Cricket Ground in 2012 where the Olympic Archery events were held. I am also a qualified level two Archery coach. Other interests include (as well as looking after my daughter and wife!) DIY, swimming, cycling, snowboarding and you can often see me on the seafront on a Saturday morning, running our local parkrun, or some weeks volunteering instead of running.

If you see me in the playground waiting to pick up my daughter, please feel free to come and say Hi.

Mrs Vicky Tarran. Parent Governor

SEND lead, Safeguarding lead

Having been part of The Beacon community since 2014 when my eldest daughter joined the school, I am thrilled to now be joining the governing board. Both my daughters attended The Beacon, one still now. 

I have lived in Exmouth since 1999 when I came to study teaching at Rolle College. I graduated in 2003 with a BED in English and the last 17 years have seen me working in the same Primary school, starting as a full-time class teacher, and becoming a SENDCo in 2007. I achieved the SENDCo award in 2014 and have worked full-time in this role until now. 

In January I am embarking on a new role, continuing to support children but in our local community. This new job will allow me more time to spend with my family and in and around Exmouth. I am looking forward to bringing my experience of working with children to a different setting and working alongside the dedicated team at the Beacon

Revd. Steven Jones, Ex-Officio Governor (Rector of Holy Trinity)

I have the privilege to be the Rector of Holy Trinity Church, which is the local parish church situated only 100 metres from The Beacon School. In the parish, our relationship with our church school is a very special one. We welcome the whole school for worship every Friday morning and we have different classes visit us at other times during the week. In 2024 we were overjoyed to be able to provide part of the church grounds as a garden for the children. I have been involved in school governance since moving to Exmouth in 2020. I have a particular interest in the school Christian ethos, and also ensuring that Christian worship in the school is something which the children will find engaging and meaningful. My team and I are in the school working with the children and staff every week, and we enjoy it immensely. We talk all the time about us being One Big Beacon Family, and the school certainly feels like it. The church is also there to attempt to support any families who may be experiencing crises or life challenges. I very much love being a governor at The Beacon School.

Mrs Alison Sparks, Co-opted Governor. 

SEND lead, Safeguarding Lead. Curriculum and Learning Committee Chair.

I have been privileged to be a governor at The Beacon for several years. 

I am passionate about education and ensuring that children are taught the skills and attitudes to learn in a nurturing environment so that they can flourish in the future.  I have spent most of my career in primary education, teaching in four Devon schools. In my time I have been a lead teacher for science, a SENDCo, deputy and headteacher.  I am currently beginning a career break and am looking forward to the opportunity this will give me to spend time at The Beacon

Ms Carolyn Hallett, Foundation Governor.

I was born and raised in the Exmouth area. After teacher training in the West Midlands I lived and taught in the South East, eventually returning to Devon. After 4 years at St Thomas High School I took a change of direction into special education, specifically visual impairment. Twenty one years later I moved into alternative education, working with pupils medically unfit for school.
I have two grown up daughters and having just retired I can now spend more time playing bowls, attending Rotary and Fair Trade, supporting Devon Development Education as a trustee, gardening and, perhaps best of all, spending quality time with my 90 year old mum!

Mrs Margaret Elms, Foundation Governor. 

I came to Exmouth in October 2003 when the Met Office relocated
my and my husband’s jobs to Exeter. We have since retired. I
had been a Parent Foundation Governor when my children were at
St Meriadoc Infant and Junior VA Schools in Camborne and
agreed to be a Community Governor at Littleham CofE VC School,
Exmouth from September 2005. We have been worshipping at St
Margaret and St Andrew, Littleham since November 2003. I
ceased being a Governor in March 2014 to become a
churchwarden and had enjoyed the contact with the school and
children as well as learning about parts of Devon I would not
otherwise know.

Miss Leigh Pavey, Staff Governor