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Family and Community Learning

Meet the Team

Management

Family and Community Learning Manager 

I have managed the Family and Community Learning team for 5 years. My role is varied and keeps me busy but broadly speaking includes contract and performance management as well as oversight of quality and compliance. I am passionate about empowering members of Wiltshire communities to lead their best lives and achieve personal goals and aspirations. The best part of my job is hearing about the positive impact our courses have on learners and the progress they have made in their time with us

Family and Community Learning Business Development Manager

I have been in the Family and Community Learning team since 2008 – and I absolutely love my job and working with such a super team!  I manage the Business Development Team to ensure that the courses we offer meet our learners’ needs, and I work closely with partner organisations so that we can reach learners across Wiltshire.  I am responsible for partnership engagement, and curriculum design, planning and timetabling.  My motivation is that that our work makes a real difference in our learners’ lives by helping adults across Wiltshire to benefit by stepping back into learning.

Our service embodies a commitment to lifelong learning, and I take every opportunity to develop my own skills and knowledge through learning. I am currently enjoying being challenged and stretched by a Level 7 Senior Leadership Apprenticeship with MBA, and I find learning myself helps to keep me in tune with what would benefit our learners too.

Tutors

After a career in primary school teaching, it is great to be empowering parents to support their own wellbeing so that they feel strong enough to do the best for their children and family. I learn so much from our learners and know that they feel the same about their discussions with each other and the courses they attend.

I love my job as a tutor with Family and Community Learning! It is a privilege to work with such a wonderful array of people from whom I can learn so much. I have over thirty years’ experience in teaching and specialise in delivering both our English and Confidence/Wellbeing courses. At FaCL we place great emphasis on supporting the whole person and this matches exactly with my personal ethos. Hope to meet you soon.

My extensive experience of teaching in primary schools has taught me how it is vital that learners feel safe, happy and supported. I have used  this knowledge in my role as an ESOL teacher to help others become more confident, learn new skills and have some fun. It is a real privilege to be able to help the learners become happier and more successful in the community.

Since joining the team in 2005, I have met and worked with many learners who have gone on to achieve their aspirations. I focus heavily on Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance to support learners on their journey with us and beyond. They inspire me on a daily basis and I love working with them. I previously worked at The International School of South Africa where I set up their first ESOL Department after achieving a degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. I am also focused on the Green Agenda and took up the challenge of being the Green Champion for the team in the 23/24 academic year.

What I love about my job is watching my learners grow in confidence as they gradually believe that they can do things they never thought they could.  For many of our learners, returning to any type of education is terrifying and I feel privileged that they choose our service to be their first step back into learning.

I am a Community Tutor and have been teaching since 2014. I love my job and feel it is a real privilege to support learners as they build confidence and take positive steps back into learning. Many learners find returning to education challenging, and I am passionate about creating a supportive, encouraging environment where they feel safe to grow. It is incredibly rewarding to work with such inspiring learners and to be part of their journey.

Business Development Team

Family and Community Learning Business Development Manager – I am responsible for partnership engagement, curriculum planning and ensuring that our courses meet the needs of residents in Wiltshire.  Before moving into a management role, I was a tutor in the team for 14 years, specialising in Family Learning and English courses. Please see above in the Management section for more information about my current role.

I am the Family and Community Learning Funding and Compliance Co-ordinator, which means ‘I’m the one in the office’ who records all courses and enrolments to upload to the government on a monthly basis.  My work is definitely “behind the scenes” but integral to the team.

I enjoy my role as advising potential and existing learners about how they can improve their lives by joining a suitable course. I like to understand what else there is out there for learners. I love the challenge of searching for the right opportunities. I value and trust those who I work with. It’s fab to learn about how our courses, and progression to other courses, changes lives. Every day is different and every person is different. That’s something to celebrate!

I am a Training Advisor who supports learners to find their right path with our courses. I connect with other partner organisations like schools and children’s centres to help learners to discover how our courses can help them. 

Governors

Families and Children’s Commissioning Manager Wiltshire Council

I have been at Wiltshire Council for 18 years having previously worked in early years and schools.

I have commissioned children’s centres and now family hubs and understand the importance of how learning as a parent can support your children as well as to improve your own opportunities.

I have previously been a school governor and volunteered for local organisations.

Service Manager: Skills, Employment and Partnership Development, Wiltshire Council

Chair of Governors, and Gloucestershire & Wiltshire Partnership Manager

I have been in the education sector for over 20 years. Working with various organisations including colleges in Bristol, Cardiff and Newbury, and held senior level posts in both national and local independent training providers.

I have a strong background in work based learning, particularly around Apprenticeship and ESF funded programmes. Currently I work closely with the Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s) in the region and sit on the strategic skills boards.

Additionally, I am the Co-ordinator for the ASK Apprenticeship Programme in Wiltshire, raising awareness of apprenticeships to year 10 – 13 school pupils

Family and Community Learning Manager at Wiltshire Council 

Rowena is a member of the Governing Body due to her role as the Family and Community Learning service manager. She focusses on the day-to-day management of the service, including implementing the strategy the Governing Body have agreed and reporting on progress. She ensures that Family and Community Learning operates efficiently within the required regulatory frameworks

Rowena is held accountable by the Governing Body for how she implements the services vision and strategy

I am a Wiltshire and Trowbridge Town Councillor and currently the Mayor of Trowbridge. I have had a varied career, working for over 20 years in the electronics industry, including a period living in Southeast Asia. This was followed by six years teaching Design Technology at secondary school level before becoming involved in local politics full time.

I am passionate about my community and how it can best be served by Wiltshire Council and the Town Council. Family and Community Learning is a key part of that passion.

John Spring

Head of Targeted Education, Wiltshire Council

Having joined Wiltshire Council in April 2023, I have worked within Education & Skills for the last 3 years. FaCL sits within my service which includes 6 education service areas, 3 skills service areas and 2 skills programmes as well as oversight for the statutory functions of the local authority Section 19 (Education Act 1996) duty. I therefore provide FaCL with direct governance oversight through our robust governance mechanisms such as the performance outcomes group (POG) and performance reviews. However, I also sit on the FaCL governing body to provide challenge/support in relation to ensuring FaCL meets the needs of parents/carers of children & young people as well as directly to Wiltshire residents from a community perspective and as part of our wider skills pathways. FaCL is a highly ambitious and dedicated team and it is a pleasure to have supported its journey. I am excited to continue to see it flourish in its support of Wiltshire residents.

Family and Community Learning Business Development Manager 

As Business Development Manager for Family and Community Learning, I am also part of the governing body, representing in particular our performance in partnership and learner engagement, marketing, and curriculum development.  I especially enjoy playing my part in strategic planning and discussions to realise our ambitious vision for our service. 

I have also previously been a primary school governor for eight years.

Joe

Local Offer Manager

Joe manages the development of Wiltshire’s SEND Local Offer – the main source of information for families about support and services for children and young people with additional needs. 

Before joining public service, Joe built a career in the technology sector. His background includes digital communications, marketing, public relations, and customer service management. This experience continues to shape his focus on clear communication, user experience, and making services easier to access for the people who need them.

Joe’s move into the SEND Service was partly inspired by his own experience of dyslexia. He is passionate about making information more accessible and supporting others to find the support they need.

As a governor for Family and Community Learning, Joe brings a strong understanding of how services are experienced by families and communities. He is particularly interested in improving access to information, supporting inclusive opportunities, and helping people develop independence, skills and confidence through lifelong learning.

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