Our Governors

My name is Esme and I have a daughter who started in Reception at Tidcombe in 2020.

I work as a Purchasing Manager in Tiverton and have done so for the last 13 years and my husband is in the Royal Navy. The military life can be challenging and unpredictable at times, so a stable and positive school environment is important to us as a family. I’m hopeful that I can use both my professional and personal experiences as part of the Governing Board to help Tidcombe be a positive experience for the children, their families and the staff. 

In my spare time I enjoy cooking, watching rugby, walking with our dog and planning various house decor/renovation projects.

I am Peter, I became a Parent Governor here at Tidcombe in 2022, after observing LGB meetings throughout the year.

Becoming a Governor is something I have thought about since my eldest child joined Tidcombe, and I consider it a great opportunity to work with this wonderful primary school.

With two children in the school, I am passionate about their experience in education, and recognise how crucial this stage is for setting them up for the future. In my role I hope to work with the educators and support staff at the school, and wider trust, for the benefit of all of our attending children.

In my regular work I am a senior leader in software engineering for the games/entertainment industry, and in my spare time I enjoy being with my family, DIY, exercise, reading, and playing games (board or computer) with friends.

I am passionate about being a member of the Tidcombe Community and have enjoyed watching my daughters learn and thrive with their peers, socially and academically, over the last few years at school, and nursery before that.

I have worked for the NHS for 15 years. I am a Physiotherapist by background. I would be keen to draw on my experience of managing services within hospitals and social care to contribute to the strategic leadership of the school. I believe that I could positively support in the evaluation and improvement of governance that supports in the delivery of Tidcombe’s vision, ethos and strategy to make this the best school for our children to attend. I have the skills to support progression balanced with financial performance.

I hold a Sport and Exercise Science Degree, in addition to a Masters in Physiotherapy. Like everyone, I strive to balance work and home life with my children. Our favourite activities include family bike rides, walks along the canal and watching my children in their various clubs throughout Tiverton.

Tiverton is a wonderful place to raise children and I hope that in this role as a Governor I may be able to contribute to the future of our town, for our children at our school.

I moved to Tiverton in 2021, and was so impressed by the dedication of Tidcombe School teachers and staff and how they create a happy and supportive learning environment. I am a career civil servant who has spent over twenty years working for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, focusing on Europe and Asia, with postings to Beijing, Paris and Berlin. Most recently, I was Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore 2015-2020 and Deputy Ambassador to Thailand 2020-21. I am currently on loan to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as Deputy Director for Northern Ireland Policy, leading on developing and implementing the Windsor Framework. I am keen to support the school and community as best I can, drawing on my skills and experience.

I would like to support the school, at which our daughter will be attending for the next 6 years, with my time, professional commitment and any relevant transferable skills and experience gained from my extensive international career as a Chief Financial Officer.

Throughout my career I have been passionate about self-actualisation for my team and would like to pass this on, in a small way, for every child to receive the best support possible in the start to their educational journey. Primary school is the foundation for this where children first learn how to learn, before acquiring key skills of language and literacy, mathematics and numeracy, communication, and team work.

I also have a Masters of Business Administration (gained from Ashridge with distinction) and a BA (Hons).

An AFOL, I also enjoy gardening, cooking, well-being, and further travel.

Hi I’m  Vicky, my son has attended Tidcombe since he was in nursery and now he’s finishing year 6.

I'm a deputy manager at  a pre school just outside Wellington and have been in the education sector for nearly 20 years.  I’m currently doing my level 5 in leadership and management to expand my knowledge of my new role.

I love working with children and seeing them at the heart of their own learning which is why I wanted to become a governor to share my knowledge and be part of the community to ensure that the children get the experiences I had when I attended Tidcombe and that my son has enjoyed so much of throughout his time.

My name is Joanne Ridley and I have been teaching at Tidcombe since 2016 as an NQT and have spent time working in year 5, year 3 and now year 4. 

Prior to teaching I was a property lawyer in London and decided to make the change after becoming involved as a volunteer at my own children's school.  It was a decision I have never regretted. 

In 2019, I had the opportunity to become the Maths Lead at Tidcombe and decided to become the Staff governor in July 2022.  When I am not busy with work, I enjoy being part of a local choir, reading and spending time with my family and friends.

Adam joined Tidcombe as Headteacher in January 2023. He has BA (Hons) degree; before coming into education, he had experience of being a Housing Officer and working as a Business Manager for the Royal Bank of Scotland. He retrained in his mid 20’s completing a PGCE at Bath Spa University specialising in Maths. 

He worked as a teacher in KS2 and KS3 at Minehead Middle School for 9 years where he worked latterly as Head of Lower School. He became Head of Danesfield Middle School in April 2016, moving back to be Head of Minehead Middle School in September 2018. In April 2019 he also took on the role of Head of Minehead First School thus ensuring transition between the schools was embedded. 

He is very much aware of the responsibility that the staff and he have in ensuring that the highest standard of teaching and learning is achieved in a safe and nurturing environment.  

When he is not being a head teacher, being a father of 3 keeps him busy! He enjoys all sports but has a real passion for cricket and occasionally, when time allows it, turns out for Minehead Cricket Club.