Meet Our Governors
The Governing Body of the West Exmoor Federation is made up of thirteen members. The school, the community, the church and the the local authority are all represented. The membership of the Governing Body is currently made up of the following people:
Martin Hallam - Chair of Governors & Co-Opted Governor
 I moved from the Cotswolds to Parracombe with my wife 4 years ago. I have 2 grown up children, a son who lives in Switzerland and daughter who lives in Kentisbury with her partner and our grandchildren. I served as a parent governor at our local village CofE primary school that my children attended. My wife was a primary school teacher for 30 years so I feel as though I have a good insight in to various parts of the education system. After completing my degree I moved into the corporate world and then set up my own consulting business. I chose to retire 5 years ago and now enjoy time on our farm, gardening, travelling and walking the dogs. As the Chair of Governors I look forward to supporting the Federation in its strategic direction, meeting the children and being part of the West Exmoor Federation family.
Helen Collins - Foundation Governor
 I am a member of the Lee Abbey Christian community (situated just outside Lynton), where I have lived with my husband and three sons since 2022. Having previously been a teaching assistant, a primary school teacher and a leader/helper in children’s and youth work at various churches over many years, I am now part of the Youth & Children’s team at Lee Abbey, working as an outdoor activity instructor at the Beacon Centre.
When we moved to north Devon, our children started Lynton Primary School in years 5, 3 and Reception. We have been so impressed with the care and commitment of the staff team, and thankful for the way our children have each flourished here (the older two are now both at secondary school) – a genuine testament to the school’s mission statement: educating with love for life in all its fulness. As a grateful parent and a committed Christian, I am keen to support the staff across the Federation in their continued commitment to this mission statement, founded on the love of Jesus Christ for all people.
Anita Couzens - Co-Opted Governor
 I have lived in Parracombe for over 40 years. My four children all attended Parracombe Primary School. I am a retired Nurse and worked for the NHS for over 35 years, 25 years of which I worked as a School Nurse within Parracombe School. I also served then as a governor. Four of my grandchildren now live in Parracombe and have all attended Parracombe School where they received an excellent education ……. I feel so privileged to have had involvement with the school over these years and being a governor has enabled me to continue my support for the children and wonderful staff.
Jo Harrison - Co-Opted Governor
I moved with my husband, Harry, to Parracombe in June 2019 from Hertfordshire in order to take on a house renovation project and experience a change of lifestyle. We have three children, all in their 20s, having fled the nest and now living independent lives in various locations nationwide. I have prior experience in Governorship as a parent governor for my children's infant school and also as a staff governor at the secondary school where I taught Maths and was an Assistant Head in charge of pastoral care. I am looking forward to working with the staff and parents at the West Exmoor Federation and will be Link Governor for SEND, Years 3/4 at Parracombe and Children in care. When I am not project managing my house renovation, you will mostly find me endeavouring to grow vegetables or learning to surf as well as walking the coastal and moorland paths.
Jennifer Henderson - Parent Governor
 Hi, I’m Jenny and I graduated with a BSc in Criminology and Human Rights in 2006, but I ended up following my love of cinema with a career in the film industry which took me around the world to various international film festivals! Before turning 30, I wanted less travelling and a new challenge before starting a family, so I decided to go back to university in 2012 to complete a PGCE, where I specialised in the EYFS and KS1 at Roehampton University. Teaching is always something that I wanted to do (my mother was also a primary school teacher), I just felt that I needed more life experience before pursuing teaching and being responsible for a class of 30 young children! I have since worked in two large local authority schools in SW London, working across the primary years. I moved with my family from London to Heale at the end of October 2023, wishing for a big change for us all and hoping for a different pace of life. My youngest son goes to Little Berries and my eldest son is currently at Parracombe. Since moving to North Devon, I am taking a break from teaching, however I am hoping that I can still keep my passion for education alight as a Parent Governor and contribute towards the West Exmoor Federation using my experience.
Richard Huggins - Staff Governor
Jayne Marsh-Jones - Governor
Jayne Peacock - Ex-Officio (Executive Headteacher)
 Early in my teens I decided that I wanted to be a teacher. This was, in no small part, due to having a younger sister who is profoundly deaf. I spent a great deal of time supporting her learning as she progressed through school and I found this to be extremely rewarding. I graduated from Brighton University with a Bachelor of Education (Hons) Degree, specialising in English and Special Educational Needs. My teaching career began in East Grinstead, West Sussex, before I took up a post in Hammersmith, West London, where I taught in a Unit for Hearing Impaired children. Eventually I returned to mainstream teaching in Lindfield, West Sussex, where I took on the role of Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator before being appointed as the Deputy Headteacher and eventually Acting Headteacher. During this time I also completed a Masters of Arts (Education) Degree and successfully completed the National Professional Qualification for Headteachers (NPQH). In 2001 I moved to Devon to take up the Headship of Lynton CE Primary School and, in turn, was appointed to the Executive Headship of the West Exmoor Federation in January 2007. Alongside my Headship of the federation, I also work as SIAMS Inspector. Previously I have worked as a remodelling consultant for the Local Authority, trained as an Ofsted inspector and been appointed as a Local Leader for Education by the National College for Teaching and Leadership. I am married and have a son, Henry, who now attends secondary school. He started his school career at Little Berries, Kentisbury and Parracombe Schools and I could not have wished for him to have had a better start to his education.
Reverend Miles Welborn - Ex-Officio & Foundation Governor
I'm the Rector of the Lyn Valley Mission Community, a group of 8 Anglican churches in North Devon. I grew up in Berkshire and came to faith in my late teenage years and moved to Herefordshire. I took part in a ministry experience programme and was based in a rural parish before working at the Cathedral. I attended Ripon College Cuddesdon in Oxfordshire and completed a BA in theology before taking up my first ordained post in a group of churches in West Oxfordshire. My wife Katie, our son Jesse, and I moved to Lynton and I took up this new role in July 2024. I have worked with rural primary schools in Herefordshire and Oxfordshire and I'm really looking forward to being involved in the life of the West Exmoor Federation.
Tanya Wyatt - Parent Governor
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