Our Local Governing Board

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;
• considering pupil progress, achievement and attendance;
• making sure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based
• appointing staff and reviewing performance and pay
• overseeing premises issued including health and safety

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 Board 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/policies/

If there is a vacancy on our Local Governing Board the school will inform parents and then anyone is free to apply for an application pack.

Our Local Governor Board Structure

SWANAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL

GOVERNING BODY: 2023-24

PARENT GOVERNORS       

• Mr Jon Macey    
• Mrs Naomi Webb 
• Mrs Louise Tumilty-Savage    

CO-OPTED GOVERNORS   

• Ms Lucy Cocup
• Mrs Linda Skinner
• Mrs Angela John
• Mrs Sallianne Coleman

STAFF GOVERNOR           

• Mrs Victoria Hickman

HEAD TEACHER                

• Mr Adam Burt                      

CHAIR OF LOCAL GOVERNORS    

• Mrs Linda Skinner

VICE CHAIR                        

• Mrs Angela John

Headteacher Performance Committee                                                                                        

• Mrs Church
• Mrs Skinner
• Mrs Cocup

Pay Review Committee                                                

• Mrs Church
• Mr Burt               
• Mrs Skinner           
• Mrs Cocup                                                          

Staff Appointments/Dismissal Committee          

• 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                                                                     

• Mrs Tumilty-Savage

TEACHING AND LEARNING                                 

• Mrs Webb 

SAFEGUARDING/CHILD PROTECTION              

• Mrs Skinner

PUPIL PREMIUM                                                   

• Mrs Cocup

ENGLISH                                                                 

• Mrs Church

HEALTH AND SAFETY                                           

• Mrs John

LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT                     

• Mrs Skinner and Mrs John

ETHOS, PASTORAL AND WELLBEING                 

• Mrs Coleman

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Jon Macey

I grew up in Purbeck and moved back to Swanage after completing my degree in Electronics at Leeds University and MSc in Computer Animation at Bournemouth. 

I have a background in STEM subjects and have been Senior Lecturer in Computer Animation at the National Center for Computer Animation at Bournemouth University since 2004. 

When not programming computers I enjoy playing the guitar, working with bands and mountain biking. I have a daughter who has just started at Swanage primary and I am looking forward to contribute to the school.

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

Sarah Hardy - end of term Nov 23

Dan Butt - resigned Nov 23
Laura Orchard - resigned March 24

Governance roles in other educational institutions (2023-24)

Hannah Etherington - Governor at The Swanage school

John Macey - Bournemouth University

Declaration of business interests 23/24

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