School Governors
The role of Governor is an important one and offers the school a form of critical friendship ensuring that our school and our systems remain fit for purpose. The governing body has a range of duties and powers and a general responsibility for the conduct of the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement. Our Governors help the school provide the best possible education for our pupils; their responsibilities include areas such as:
· providing strategic support;
• analysing pupil progress, achievement and attendance;
• ensuring best value for money by considering and agreeing an annual budget;
• making sure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based
• appointing staff and reviewing performance and pay
• overseeing premises issued including health and safety
Our Governing Body consists of two committees —Finance and Environment, and Staffing and Curriculum; these committees meet once a term and the meetings are then consolidated into a Full Governing Board meeting, again once a term.
Our Governors help the school provide the best possible education for our pupils.
As part of the School's overall leadership and management, they help to govern the strategic framework of the school, while the Headteacher manages the day-to-day management of the school, staff, teaching, support and planning.
Governors do this by:
• thinking and working strategically to help raise standards
• monitoring and evaluating the progress towards priorities and targets as outlined in the School Development Plan
• supporting and challenging the Headteacher and staff as appropriate
• accounting to all stakeholders for the school's performance and for the decisions taken.
The Governing Body also monitors the school policies and procedures.
Our Governors are vital to the school and are dedicated, caring individuals, from various walks of life, including parents, ex-parents, members of the local community and a dedicated school representative. If you wish to speak to them for any reason or have any concerns they are extremely approachable and would be pleased to contact or meet you.
Key policies are available on the school website https://www.swanageprimary.dorset.sch.uk/
If there is a vacancy on our Governing Body the school will inform parents and then anyone is free to apply for an application pack.
Our Governor Body Structure
SWANAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL
GOVERNING BODY: 2022-23
PARENT GOVERNORS Mrs Laura Orchard
Miss Sarah Hardy
Mrs Naomi Webb
Mrs Louise Tumilty-Savage
CO-OPTED GOVERNORS Ms Lucy Cocup
Mrs Linda Skinner
Mrs Angela John
Mrs Sallianne Coleman
Mr Dan Butt
ASSOCIATE GOVERNOR Cllr Michael Whitwam
STAFF GOVERNOR Mrs Clare Lowe
LOCALAUTHORITY GOVERNOR Mrs Vicki Church
HEAD TEACHER Mr Martin Godfrey
CHAIR OF GOVERNORS Mrs Linda Skinner
VICE CHAIR Mrs Angela John
FINANCE & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE CURRICULUM & STAFFING COMMITTEE
Mrs Church - Chair Mrs Webb - Chair
Mr Godfrey, HT Mr Butt
Mrs John Mr Godfrey, HT
Mrs Skinner Mrs Lowe
Mrs Watson (Finance Officer) Ms Cocup
Mrs Salliann Coleman
Miss Etherington (invited attendee) Miss Hardy
Mrs Orchard Mrs Tumilty-Savage
Headteacher Performance Committee
Mrs Church
Mrs Skinner
Mrs Cocup
Pay Review Committee
Mrs Church
Mr Godfrey
Mrs Skinner
Mrs Cocup
Staff Appointments/Dismissal Committee
Chair of Curriculum and Staffing Committee
Two others governors to be assigned when committee is required
Student Dismissal Committee
To be formed by 3 governors who have no knowledge of the incident or people involved as and when required.
Appeals Committee
Members of the appeals committee to be assigned when required - members will not have been involved in the original decision to which the appeal relates.
GOVERNOR LINK RESPONSIBILITIES
SEND Miss Hardy
TEACHING AND LEARNING Mrs Webb and Miss Hardy
SAFEGUARDING/CHILD PROTECTION Mr Butt
PUPIL PREMIUM Mrs Skinner
ENGLISH Mrs Church
HEALTH AND SAFETY Mrs John
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT Mrs Skinner
Meet our Governors
Linda Skinner - Chair of Governors
I am a foundation governor at Swanage Primary School, the Chair of Governors and I am also chair of the curriculum and staffing committee. I became a governor at Swanage Primary in October 2014 and I feel privileged to hold this role. The staff of the school are so very hard working; totally committed to their pupils - and what a lovely group of pupils they are.
I moved to beautiful Swanage with my husband in 2012 having spent many happy family holidays in Dorset. With 25 years’ experience and a master’s degree in education management, I missed regular contact with education and the buzz that working with committed staff and children eager to learn brings and so when I was approached to become a governor I did not hesitate. A few years ago I trained to be an Ofsted inspector and so I feel this brings a useful added dimension to my governor role.
Vicki Church - English Governor
I have lived in Swanage for over thirty-five years with my husband and we raised our family here. Before I retired I was a teacher at Sandford Middle School where I was a senior member of staff with responsibility for SEN in Years 7 and 8 and Humanities throughout the school. I became a governor at this school a few years ago as I felt I could make a useful contribution due to my experiences. At the present time I am overseeing English within the school and love the opportunity of being able to get back in the classroom and giving support to the children.
Clare Lowe – Teaching Assistant (HLTA)
I am very pleased to be appointed as staff governor. I am beginning my second term, each term lasting four years. I have worked for over ten years as a TA / HLTA seeing many positive changes, especially from First School to primary. I am very proud to be part of Swanage Primary School.
Sarah Hardy – SEN Governor
My name is Sarah Hardy and I am a parent governor, and I also journeyed through Swanage First school as a pupil. My two daughters both attend the school, so I wanted to take an interest in how the school was run and to help in any way I can to ensure a robust education for both of them. I am also a teacher in a local special needs school, so I have a keen interest in education, and am interested to get involved and get more knowledge of the mainstream education sector.
Naomi Webb - Parent Governor
I’ve lived in Swanage for over 15 years and love it here. We have 3 boys and two of them currently attend Swanage Primary School. I have a teaching background and am enthusiastic about education. I am also passionate about inclusion, craft, geocaching and Chococo. Swanage Primary is a fantastic school, and it’s a privilege to be a parent governor.
Angela John
I have lived in Swanage for thirty one years with my husband and family. I am grandparent of a child who attends the school and I am to be found in the playground on a daily basis either at drop off and pick up times.
I have been involved in primary education for all of my working life as a qualified teacher and have during this time had class responsibilities for all ages between Year R and Year 6. Before retiring in 2008, I spent the last 12 years of my teaching career as Head teacher of St Georges School in Langton Matravers.
I feel honoured to have been asked to be a governor at Swanage Primary and hope that I can bring to the role the experience I have gained over my many years in primary education.
Michael Whitwam - Town Councillor
I have been a Dorset resident for sixty years and a Swanage Town Councillor for the past thirteen years. I very much admire the excellent work carried out by all the staff at the School and it is a privilege to represent the Town Council as a Governor. The future of our lovely town is in the hands of the pupils at the School!
Lucy Cocup
Although I was based in France and Australia in the past, I feel privileged to have lived in wonderful Swanage for some years now. As retired teacher, mother and grandmother, I feel strongly about the importance of education and the role of a school in the community.
Three of my children attended Swanage Primary, when it was Swanage First and I am looking forward to my grandchild starting in reception in September 2021. I have a vested interest in Swanage Primary continuing to thrive and am fortunate to support this as a governor.
Dan Butt - Parent Governor
I am a parent governor with a link responsibility for safeguarding and child protection at SPS. I moved to Swanage over ten years ago, not sure how long I was going to stay. Needless to say, I am still here and can't see myself ever leaving! I have worked in education across Poole and Dorset for over a decade an am currently in post as a Deputy Headteacher at a Special School in Dorset after moving from mainstream education. In various schools I have held the responsibility of Designated Safeguarding Lead for over six years and, as such, have experience in support young people and families with wide ranging vulnerabilities to overcome barriers, make progress and succeed. I am proud to be associated with SPS and the team that works with our children every day to secure the best possible outcomes. They work with such heart, honesty and relentless positivity. I know my experience is valued and listened to and I hope I contribute in some small way to support our young people.
Salliann Coleman
I was a primary school teacher for several years and then moved into Higher Education, becoming a Senior Lecturer on both the Initial Teacher Training and Postgraduate Teacher Training programmes at Roehampton University, where I also gained my Masters degree in Children’s Literature.
This was where my first connection with Swanage Primary School was established, when they hosted my trainee teachers in 2008 for their school experience and this continued for a number of years. The school was incredibly supportive and welcoming and gave the students a positive experience, which helped them all to progress into successful teaching careers.
In addition to this we had many happy years holidaying in Dorset and we eventually relocated to Swanage a few years ago. I was delighted to be invited to be a governor at Swanage Primary School, and look forward to being able to contribute to the school environment.
Louise Tumilty- Savage
I’ve lived in Swanage for over 25 years and have two young children, one of whom attends Swanage Primary. Prior to having my children I worked within children’s’ services as a quality and compliance auditor, and have experience in education and specialist education settings. I am proud to be able to support Swanage Primary in the role of parent governor, it’s a privilege to be a part of such a proactive and child-centred team of people.
Sarah Hayes, Clerk to the Governors
I have lived in Swanage for over twenty-five years with my husband and we raised our two sons here. Both our boys – now adults - were pupils at Swanage Primary and I was an active member of the PTA and volunteered in school. I have worked in local primary schools in business management/finance roles for over ten years and when Swanage Primary was looking for a Clerk to the Governors, I jumped at the chance to work with this fantastic, welcoming team.
Governor resignations (in recent years)
Elaine Jones - resigned September 2018
Aimee D'Ercole - resigned September 2018
Davina Smith - end of term - July 2019
Lisa Gray - resigned October 2019
David White - end of term September 2020
Peter Silver - resigned March 2021
Culvin Milmer - resigned June 2021
Governance roles in other educational institutions (2020-21)
Dan Butt - Harbour School, Bovington
Sarah Hardy - Purbeck View School, Swanage