Headteachers within the Trust

Claire Hodgson
Preston C of E Primary School

I was appointed Headteacher of Preston C of E Primary School in 2019, having started my teaching career in the school as a trainee in 2010. In 2011, I was appointed as a class teacher, before taking on the role as Phase Lead and subsequently becoming Assistant Head in 2017.

I believe in providing an excellent education underpinned by Christian values and this is central to my vision for the school. Our church school distinctiveness provides the Christian foundation for children to flourish and grow spiritually. I am proud to lead an incredible team of staff who deliver high quality teaching and an exciting curriculum for the pupils. Preston being ranked 99th nationally in the Sunday Times UK Schools Guide is testament to this. I am passionate about improving outcomes for children and have supported other schools in school improvement, particularly at Key Stage 2.

Dan Glentworth
Kingfisher Primary School

I am very proud to be part of PPAT, a trust with values and aspirations which are closely aligned to my own. I am passionate about inclusion and enriching the lives of all of our children through high academic standards and an exciting and ambitious curriculum, so that all pupils, regardless of their background, can achieve. I pride myself on the exceptional relationships I have with my staff. This helps to promote excellence throughout the school and in turn, builds a positive learning environment for our children to grow and flourish.

My background in education started as a Learning Support Assistant at Manor Court Primary School. After completing my degree in Primary Education at Cheltenham in 2008, I started my teaching career in the Cotswolds. Having taught at Kemble Primary School for 4 years, I relocated back to Somerset. After eight years teaching at Manor Court in a variety of middle leader roles, an opportunity for Headship came up within PPAT and following a successful application, I started as a Headteacher at Kingfisher Primary School in September 2020. Currently, Kingfisher is a one-form entry school with a nursery, the school has the potential for growth as more provision for school places is needed in the local area.

In my spare time, I love watching sport, especially cricket and football. I also help coach my son’s football team and enjoy spending time with my wife and two children.

Dave Gordon
Countess Gytha Primary & Pre School

I moved to Somerset in 2013, from Stoke-on-Trent in the West Midlands. Somerset is a unique area and I feel blessed to live and work in beautiful surroundings, with wonderful people.

My background in education was initially in outdoor and adventurous activities for young people, training children in outdoor skills and supervising Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. After completing my Primary Education degree, I moved to Somerset to work in a number of schools before taking my first headship at Countess Gytha Primary and Preschool. Holding a masters in creative thinking and the use of technology in education, I am keen to see our children become confident users of technology, with abilities to analyse and think independently.

I am very keen to continue to broaden opportunities for young people, recognising the importance of several key experiences in my own life and how they have shaped the person I am today. By providing a wealth of experiences, offering help and support to parents and families and ensuring everything the school staff do has your child at its heart, I know that the children who attend Countess Gytha Primary and other schools in the PPAT trust have the highest aspirations for themselves and go on to succeed in their choices.

Leanne Hall
Hambridge Primary School

Working in education is all I've ever wanted to do. I have been a teacher since 2009 and I've worked within the trust for 6 years now, gaining experiences in various leadership positions across two PPAT schools. After a year as Assistant Headteacher at Hambridge, I was delighted to have the opportunity to apply for the headship and be successful in my application.

I firmly believe in providing the best possible education for the children at Hambridge Primary School. I encourage the children to take pride in their work and I aim to provide the children with the best experiences so that they enjoy their learning as much as possible. Reading is my passion and I'll ensure that reading is at the heart of the curriculum here at Hambridge.

Outside of school, I am mum to two energetic boys, so I'm always outside exploring and often found at the beach!

Lindsay Hayward
Middlezoy & Othery Primary School

In 2007, having gained my degree and completed the Graduate Teaching Programme I began teaching in a 3-form entry school in West Kent. After three years there, my family relocated, and I moved to a much smaller school in North Kent with mixed year classes. I remained there for 8 years, progressing from class teacher across Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 2 lead. Following that I worked across both federated sites as a Teaching and Learning Advisor, then as Acting Head of School from 2017.

I moved to Somerset in 2018 with my family and began working for PPAT in April 2019 at North Cadbury C of E Primary School. In September 2020, I was seconded to Middlezoy and Othery Schools and the Levels Academy Trust. We became part of the PPAT Trust in February 2021 and continue to strive to be "The best we can be!"

Lisa Thompson
North Cadbury Church of England Primary School

Having worked in Somerset schools for almost a decade as a class teacher, SENCO and Early Years leader, I joined PPAT as a Deputy Head and class teacher in September 2018. It soon became apparent that this academy trust was one that very closely matched my own values and vision for education, and in September 2019 I was delighted to start my first headship at North Cadbury C of E Primary School.

My passion is to improve educational outcomes for children and young people, and to work closely with our school families in order to achieve this. I firmly believe that children’s heritage shouldn’t define or limit their destiny. Therefore, I was delighted to work with my team to move North Cadbury from it’s historic Inadequate Ofsted grading to Good in all areas in September 2023.

As a Church School leader, I believe Christian values underpin all that we undertake at North Cadbury. Our Church School distinctiveness enables our children to grow and develop spiritually and morally.

Outside of school I love to read, sew, and try my hand at crafts such as pottery. I’m also partial to a good meal out with my family - preferably somewhere warm and sunny!

Luke Talmage
Manor Court Primary School & Pre School

I have been Headteacher of Manor Court Community Primary since April 2017, leading it to its first Ofsted ‘Good’ judgment in over two decades in December 2019.

I have worked for, or with, the Preston Primary Academy Trust for over a decade and in the past ten years I have also had the privilege to be the Headteacher of two other contrasting Somerset Schools – a small rural primary and a two-form junior school in challenging circumstances. I am an LLE for Somerset Local Authority and have been a member of the Somerset Education Design Team. I have a passion for inclusion and improving education for all. I am known for having a particular skill and track record in improving the outcomes for SEN and Pupil Premium children within schools.

In my free time I am a trustee for two charities, love to travel, attend the theatre, read for pleasure, and I am an avid Yeovil Town Football Club supporter.

Melissa Gibbons
Ash C of E Primary School

I am exceptionally proud to find myself placed in such a privileged position within a wonderful school, location and supportive community. My passion lies in education and always has. Possessing the ability to empower children to excel; outreaching the boundaries of expectations and realising their full potential is an absolute honour.

My career has been exciting and varied, encompassing a range of teaching and leadership roles from Secondary to Primary School level, in both Indonesia and the UK. I was appointed Headteacher this year, after secondment as Deputy Headteacher in 2022 from Brookside Academy in Street. After rapid improvement and receiving an OFSTED approval of ‘good’ our academic foundations at Ash are firmly established and will only strengthen further with the support of PPAT.

If not at school, you’ll find me wandering outdoors, usually at the coast: swimming, surfing or body boarding. I love the theatre, all types of music and am an avid film buff.

Tiffany Doughty Davis
Huish Episcopi Primary School

I am passionate about delivering the best possible education for the children in my care whilst encouraging and developing a team of talented colleagues.

I have been the Headteacher of Huish Episcopi Primary School since January 2018 after qualifying as a Teacher in July 2015. Prior to that I worked in the independent sector teaching EYFS to KS4 and holding both academic and pastoral leadership roles. I worked in co-educational and single-sex establishments, in primary, secondary, middle and all-through schools both in the UK and Switzerland. I have managed two inspections as the HEPS Headteacher with the most recent in February 2020 stating that ‘aspirations for pupils are evident in the school’s values and ambitious curriculum.’

I am passionate about instilling aspiration through high standards and promoting these ideals in others. I was enthusiastic about leading the school into Preston Primary Trust in February 2021. PPAT continually support our successful ways of working whilst ensuring the PPAT golden thread of high quality provision and opportunity prevails.

Tracy Manning 
Pen Mill Infant & Nursery School

I have been the headteacher of Pen Mill Infant and Nursery School for almost 4 years, I have worked as a class teacher and senior leader across EYFS and Key Stage 1 for over 10 years.

As the leader of an infant school, I believe that strong foundations in the early years are crucial for children’s success throughout their education and beyond. Our school curriculum is language rich and provides the children with meaningful learning experiences. Seeing the children flourish academically and socially brings me great joy. 

We are excited to be the first infant school to join PPAT and look forward to the collaborative learning opportunities that this will offer.

Outside of school I enjoy travelling to new countries as well as exploring the beautiful coast that the south-west has to offer.