Governors

My name is Bridget Williams. I am very excited and proud to be taking on the role of a Chair of Governors at SMC. I am a teacher myself and currently work as a middle school teacher at a special school in Torquay. Being a teacher has helped me gain a much needed insight into how schools operate and one thing I am passionate about is ensuring all children in our care reach their full potential.

Outside of school, I have four children of my own who have all attended Sacred Heart Primary School in Paignton. I believe there is something very special and unique about a Catholic education which offers children much needed guidance in an increasingly uncertain world.

During my long career in education, I have been fortunate to work as a Head Teacher of two successful primary schools in the South West. I was also an advisory teacher for assessment, trained Head Teachers for the NPQH qualification and was a system leader for a large academy group. I am recently retired and am now able to have more time for my hobbies which include travelling, rambling, yoga, pilates, swimming, concerts and gardening.

I joined the team at St Margaret Clitherow in 2017 where I am the Assistant Head, SENDCo and Curriculum Leader. In 2021 I have been able to further develop my role as SENDCo across both Priory and St Margaret, Clitherow. Prior to this, I was Deputy Head for 9 years at Combe Pafford School which caters for children with Moderate Learning difficulties and Autism and I also worked for the Torbay Hospital supporting children and young people with medical needs. I have previously undertaken the role of Teaching and Learning Consultant for the local authority as well as supporting schools in challenging circumstances.

I am passionate about inclusion and curriculum development and dedicated to ensuring that our pupils come to school each day to be part of an engaging, happy and safe learning environment which supports them with every aspect of their education, meeting their needs and impacting on personal development.

I have worked at Priory for over 5 years now having taught at two schools prior to joining the Priory team. I have taught in Years 5 and 6 for the duration of my time at Priory, however I also have experience in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. I lead Maths, Science and Computing in the school. I am really passionate about the school and I am always eager to find ways in which we can improve our practice and provide the best education possible for our students.

I have worked in the IT industry for almost 30 years and currently designing & building multi machine "stacked" software solutions for an international payments solution provider. I am what is commonly called a "returner" in Catholic circles having been away from the church for a number of years, and feel so honoured to been welcomed home with open arms into the warmest, friendliest and most faithful of parishes that I could ever have hoped for. Today, I am quite active in my local parish and help to organise two fund raising events each year. My wife and I have been together now for over 25 years and still happily married. I strongly believe that the very heart of the Church should start in school and the very heart of any Catholic school should be in the Church. .

I look forward to getting to know the communities of both schools even better.