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: 2023-24

PARENT GOVERNORS       Mrs Laura Orchard

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

                                              Vacancy

ASSOCIATE GOVERNOR   Cllr Michael Whitwam

STAFF GOVERNOR            Mrs Victoria Hickman

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 Macey

Mrs John                                                               Mr Godfrey, HT

Mrs Skinner                                                           Mrs Hickman

Finance Officer                                                      Ms Cocup

Mrs Orchard                                                          Mrs Salliann Coleman 

                                                                              Miss Etherington (invited attendee)                                                                                                                                            Mrs Tumilty-Savage  

Headteacher Performance Committee                                                                                        

Mrs Church

Mrs Skinner

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                                                                      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

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.

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.

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.

Laura Orchard

I have lived in Swanage all my life and attended Swanage Primary School as a child. I am honoured to have my child attend that same primary school now, and to be part of the governing team of this excellent school.

I enjoy being part of, and looking out for, the community as a member of Swanage Lifeboat crew. I have a professional background in safeguarding and public service.

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

Governance roles in other educational institutions (2023-24)

Hannah Etherington - Governor at The Swanage school

John Macey

Declaration of business interests 23/24

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