The Governing Body:
Paul Angel, Parent Governor and Chair of the Community & Engagement Committee, returned to the Governing Body in 2019 (having been one of the School's founding Governors). Paul lives in Swanage and runs a family bookshop business in Westbourne and Wimborne.
Peter Collins, Governor, is a retired Police Inspector and has held a number of roles volunteering for the Church and Council. He also volunteers at the School and is our SEND link governor.
Alex Duke, Staff Governor, is the Design & Technology Teacher and is committed to promoting STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics), cross-curricular initiatives and employability skills. Prior to teaching, Mr Duke worked in industry.
Tanya Hamilton-Fletcher, Governor, has worked in children's social care for over 30 years managing services for children in care, care leavers and children who are disabled across Dorset. She has been a Brownie Guider for the same length of time and is a founding committee member for the charity Friends of Dorset Care Leavers. Tanya lives in Swanage and has grandchildren at the school.
Adam Hines, Staff Governor, teaches physics and maths at the school and is also responsible for the development of technology for learning.
William Knight, Chair of the Finance & Premises Committee, has a background in IT and senior management and has been a school Governor for 30 years, including at St George’s Primary School. He lives in Langton.
Jenny Maraspin is the Headteacher and sits on the board in an ex officio capacity.
Tim Marcus, Chair of Governors, is an IT expert (and is our E-safety Link Governor). His digital agency has a niche in developing websites for the education sector. Tim also advises UK government departments on IT strategy and spending. He lives in Swanage with his wife and two children, who attend the School.
Joanne Martin, Governor, is a retired lecturer, having specialised in Early Years Education, teaching primary school teacher trainees. Joanne lives in Swanage.
Vanessa Millman, Governor, is a consultant in emergency medicine and a Lifeboat Medical Adviser for Swanage RNLI. Vanessa has previously been a governor at St George's VA Primary for a number of years. She has a son at the School.
Helen O'Connor has been co-opted to the Governing Body again this year. Helen has a wealth of educational experience and is an Area Director at Teach First, a not-for-profit organisation that supports trainee and NQT teachers and promotes leadership development.
Amanda Rowley, Governor, is one of the founding Governors of the School. She runs an advertising and marketing company. Her daughter completed GCSEs at the School in the 2018 cohort, and her son still attends. Amanda lives in Swanage.
Jessica Starmer, Governor, is our Link Governor for Health & Safety. She works as a pilot for British Airways and has also been involved in developing human factors, performance and peer support. Jessica has a particular interest in mental health and emotional response.
Catherine Starmer-Howes, Parent Governor, has worked both as a secondary and primary school teacher, and held roles including trainee teacher monitoring and subject responsibility. Although she has since left teaching, Catherine remains passionate about good education and has served as a Governor previously, both at The Swanage School and Corfe Castle Primary.
Alison Stephens, Vice-Chair of Governors (and our safeguarding & mental health link governor), is a teaching assistant at St Mark's Primary School. She was a Governor at Swanage Primary School for several years. She lives in Swanage with her partner and their two children, both of whom have attended the school.
Carl Styants has been co-opted to the board this year, having been a founding Governor of the school. He is Chair of the Staffing Committee. Carl is a magazine editor and journalist and lives in Swanage with his partner and two children, both of whom attend the School.
Isobel Tooley, Chair of the Student Committee, is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and uses her business, analytical and finance skills to support and challenge the school’s leadership team. She lives in Langton with husband Steve and their two children.
Contact the Governing Body
You can contact any of the members of the Governing Body by emailing the Clerk, Sue Fletcher, on clerk@theswanageschool.co.uk or by writing to them c/o The Swanage School, High Street, Swanage BH19 2PH.
Further Information about the Governing Body
Register of Interests
Governing Body Meeting Dates and Minutes
Governor Roles and Meeting Attendance
Scheme of Delegation