Today, on the last day of Spring term 2026, we take a moment to celebrate Mary Willmott, Residential Manager, who is retiring after 38 years of service.
Mary started at Treloar College back when the college campus was in Holybourne and the school campus was located in the village of Froyle—just down the road. Mary said:
"When I first started, you would drive up the drive, and there was a roundabout, and in the middle of the roundabout, there were lots of roses. We had a social club, it was a portacabin. We had the horticultural area. The site was very different. When the school relocated to Holybourne, there was a lot of new buildings added for the school, to bring everyone together on one site; we lost a lot of green space, but the progress over the years has been amazing. It's actually brilliant, having everyone all on the same site.
"So much has changed...Back in the 80s, at the weekend, we could just turn up to work and if it was a beautiful day, we would just take a trip out. Just go and get the minibus keys,and just get the students on the bus, and off we go to a garden centre, or out for a pub lunch. But, obviously, that was a time where the needs of students were different. As the needs of students have changed, we’ve made improvements over the years, become more professional, to meet the regulations and requirements that we need to meet to keep everybody safe."
The beginnings
"I'd lived in Alton for 8 years, and I didn't know Treloar's was here. When I found this place, I walked in, I thought: ‘This is the place I want to be’.
Mary applied at the first opportunity, but she did not get the job as someone more qualified was successful. Mary was offered to work as bank staff instead:
"So, I started on the bank, then, working in any of the houses, doing night shifts, wherever they needed me. Anyway, it got to July, the management came back to me, and they said the job I applied for initially would become available again. So then I started in September 1988 in the permanent night staff role."
The journey to leadership
Mary said: "So, I didn't get my first job here, but I've just gone on from there, really, from strength to strength. Doing 17 years, doing night duties, while my children were young, it suited family life perfectly. I used to go home, and I couldn't believe that I had a job, and I was getting paid for doing something that I'm so passionate about. And I thought: 'This is amazing. I'm actually being paid to do something I love.'
"After 17 years, my children were then grown up and didn't need me around so much. And I thought they don't need me anymore. Nights aren't probably the right place for me anymore. It was in the mid early 2000s, and I was asked if I could temporarily come off nights, and cover the Team Leader position in Evans House. At that point, I'd achieved my level 2 and 3 diplomas in Health and Social Care, myself and a colleague, we were the first two people to do the diplomas when they first came out. So, I moved off nights into a temporary position to do the Team Leader role, but I ended up staying in that role permanently.
"Then after 2 or 3 years, I was offered to temporarily help out as Deputy Manager on Evans House. I did that role for 6 months, and again, I absolutely loved being a Deputy Manager. So, I returned back to being a Team Leader, and I thought, you know, I think I want to progress more here.
"After 2 or 3 years being a Team Leader, I applied to be a Deputy Manager, but I didn't get that position as the other applicant was more qualified than me. That motivated me to progress even more and to get my level 4 Leadership and Management qualification. It was a really, really proud moment, because I went to Alton college, adult classes. I had never been to College as a youngster. So, for me, I was raising my own children, always advocating you must go to college, do this, do that, and I'd never had that myself. All of a sudden, as an adult, in my 50s, I was going to Alton College doing adult education. My daughter said to me: ‘Mum we’re so proud of you. We're so proud, you just really put the work in."
With the right support, growth follows
A couple of years later, Mary left Evans House. Mary admitted:
"It was a big, big wrench to leave Evans, because I'd been there 20 years or more. And, I went on to be a Deputy Manager in Allan House."
About 2010/11 Mary progressed again—she became a Residential Manager for Gauvain House, and later at Brewer. But her last post was as a Residential Manager for Chivers House:
"I think the ethos in Chivers is students come first. If we're in the office and we're short out there, all of us come out. Deputy Managers, me, nobody stays in that office. It's all hands on deck.
Another proud moment for Mary was dividing this house (Brewer) into 2 houses.
"When I came to this house, it had 36 bedrooms. And as the years went on, we needed more and more staff because of the increasingly complex needs, very big to manage. I spoke to my Manager about this and she agreed that it needed to be smaller, not just for managing it, but for the students, she supported me to do this.
"I started business planning with my Deputy Manager, how it would work, how rooms would be used, how we divide the staff, and, that was, 4 years ago now. So, it's given me the opportunity to really enjoy that last stretch. And a legacy." Mary added:
"Treloar’s supported me, gave me all the tools I needed to do the qualifications, to give me the support to achieve my dreams. Without Treloar’s believing in me, I would never have been the person I am today here, so I'm forever grateful to, Treloar’s for... enabling me to have the career that's been the best career, spanning over 38 years. It's just been an amazing journey."
Mary would like to take this opportunity to extend her heartfelt thanks to all the students, their families, and the Treloar's staff. She feels truly privileged to have worked alongside each and every one of you.