Leadership Team
Sarah Evans BA (Hons) QTS, NPQLL - Headteacher Primary
Sarah is Headteacher of Primary at BCA and has been in post since September 2025. She has spent her teaching career in Somerset and Devon, gaining over 18 years of experience across Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 3 . Prior to taking on this role Sarah was Head of School at a successful primary school in East Devon. Throughout her career, Sarah has developed her expertise in leading school improvement in teaching and learning, as well as curriculum development. She has shown dedication to supporting families in the communities she has worked in through her pastoral leadership roles as safeguarding and early help lead.
Sarah is passionate about education and is committed to ensuring the best outcomes for all children within the community she serves. She is currently completing her NPQSEN qualification to further hone her expertise in developing fully inclusive educational environments.
Nicola Hilton BA (Hons), MA, NPQH - Senior Deputy Headteacher - Attendance (Secondary)
Nicola moved to West Somerset in 2008 with her family after a successful career in the Design Industry employed as Product Design Director at Hallmark Cards. She always had a secret desire to become a teacher and took the opportunity to retrain in 2009. She was employed as a newly qualified teacher within the Trust at West Somerset College Minehead in 2010 and has never looked back.
Nicola has gone on to become a dedicated educationalist who has progressed from classroom Teacher to Head of Design Technology, Head of Creative Arts, and Assistant Head, responsible for the Sixth Form, before being promoted to the role of Deputy Headteacher in 2018.
When she isn’t teaching Nicola loves to travel, look after her horse and dog, take part in sporting activities, and spend time with her family and friends.
Sam Finch B.Ed (Hons) - Senior Deputy Headteacher - Character and Culture (Primary)
Sam has worked in this school for almost 25 years. She started teaching in Year One as an NQT in Sedgemoor Manor Infants School, and then spent a number of years teaching Year Two. Sam then went on to Lead Key Stage One. In November 2012 Sam became Primary Deputy Head and since November 2013 she has taught in Year Four at our Academy. When not working she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Although recently retired from playing football, Sam still watches her beloved Bath City, and loves to travel.
Jennifer Jones BScEcon (Hons), MSc, NPQH – Deputy Headteacher - Curriculum (Secondary)
Jen completed a degree in Politics at Cardiff University and a Masters in European Governance at the University of Bristol before training to be a teacher through TeachFirst in 2013. Jen taught for 7 years at Orchard School Bristol as an English teacher, then Second in English, before becoming Head of English in 2016. During this time, she also completed her NAML and NPQSL qualifications, worked as an AQA Examiner for English Language and English Literature, and continued to work with TeachFirst as an Associate Tutor supporting the training of new participants. In 2020, Jen joined the Academy as Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for English, Reading and Literacy before moving on to be Assistant Headteacher for Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, and now Deputy Headteacher for Quality of Education. Jen has recently completed her NPQH and in her spare time enjoys reading, travelling, amateur dramatics, and spending time with friends and family.
Rebecca Barber BA (Hons) - Deputy Headteacher - Personal Development (Secondary)
Rebecca completed a degree in History at The University of Birmingham and a PGCE at the University of Bath in 2010. Rebecca taught for 2 years at The Sexey's School, Bruton as an History teacher, before becoming Head of History in 2013 at Worle Community School. Rebecca remained at WCSA, for 10 years and within this time she was promoted to Deputy Director of the Teaching school for the Priory Learning Trust as part of her career journey. During this time, she also completed her NPQSL qualifications, worked as an Edexcel Examiner for History, and continued to work with work with primary schools to promote transition for student. In 2023, Rebecca joined the Academy as Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for KS3 and Transition and is now Deputy Headteacher. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys running, reading, travelling, and spending time with friends and family.
Lindsey Hull B.Ed (Hons), NASENCo - Senior Assistant Headteacher - Head of Inclusion (Secondary)
Lindsey completed her teacher training in Leeds and taught in a Secondary School before moving back to the South West. She has worked in both Primary and Secondary schools as a class teacher and SENCo, as well as more specialist settings in Hospital Academic Units and working as a Medical and Mental Health Advisory Teacher across South Somerset.
Lindsey enjoys gardening, walking, reading and travelling with her family.
Emma Urbonas B.Ed (Hons) NPQML - Assistant Headteacher - Quality of Education (Primary)
Emma has always wanted to work in education and graduated from UWE in 2014. She became a supply teacher to get a feel for what area and year groups she would like to work in. In January 2016, she began working at BCA as a long-term supply teacher before becoming a permanent member of staff in the September, and moving to the area in 2019 from Portishead. Here, she has been Creative Lead, Year 5 and 6 Phase Lead and now is an Assistant Headteacher. When not working, Emma likes is an avid reader and baker or can be found supporting her husband from the sidelines as he plays rugby for a local team.
Cameron MacDonald BSc (Hons) - Assistant Headteacher - Assessment and Reporting (Secondary)
Cameron graduated from the University of South Wales with a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. He then completed his PGCE specialising in Mathematics at Greenwich University. Cameron has taught Maths in secondary schools, special needs schools and further education college before coming to Bridgwater College Academy in September 2023 as Assistant Headteacher for Professional Learning & Wellbeing.
Away from work, Cameron spends a lot of time enjoying a variety of sports and suffering watching Scotland football and rugby.
Rhiannon Howarth BA(Hons) -Assistant Headteacher - Teaching and Learning (Secondary)
Rhiannon began her career, as an unqualified teacher, in 2008 whilst finishing her degree in English Education and Law. She went on to train as a teacher in 2012 and was given the role of Head of Law the same year. Rhiannon has worked in three schools in Essex and has numerous responsibilities such as head of Key Stage 4, Lead Practitioner for English and the lead for Initial Teacher Training. Through her last role, she helped several trainee teachers to qualify whilst working with many training organisations. She relocated to Somerset in July 2022 in order to start her role at BCA as an Assistant Headteacher for Reading. In her spare time, Rhiannon loves to read and sets herself a challenge to read more than she did in the previous year. She also enjoys binge-watching series and films at weekends with her partner- as well as forcing him to go to ballroom, latin and salsa dance classes with her!
Marie White - Assistant Headteacher - Securing Strong Foundations (Primary)
Marie White joined BCA in June 2023 as Assistant Headteacher for Early Reading and Phonics and KS1 Lead. Having graduated from university in Nottingham, she worked for 12 years in Nottingham City schools, teaching across KS2. Since moving back to Somerset in 2011, she has taught in large schools in Bridgwater with responsibility for English. Her passion is setting the early foundations of reading in leading and teaching phonics for children in EYFS and KS1. Watching the progress the children make and seeing their love of books and confidence grow, is incredibly rewarding.
When she is not at school, Marie loves to dog walk and tries to go the gym as much as possible!
Amanda Shipton B.Ed (Hons) QTS, NASENCo, NPQSL - Assistant Headteacher - SENDCo (Primary)
Amanda began her teaching career in North Somerset in 1999. She has gained extensive experience across the primary phase, having taught in every year group from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through to Year 6. She has been a member of Senior Leadership Teams in primary schools since 2005, serving in a range of leadership roles, including Assistant Headteacher.
Throughout her career, Amanda has maintained a strong commitment to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), with a clear focus on ensuring the best possible outcomes for all pupils. Her dedication to inclusive education is at the core of her practice.
In September 2022, Amanda joined BCA as the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), and in 2024 she expanded her leadership responsibilities by taking on the additional role of Assistant Headteacher.