Governance

Would you like to be a governor?

Elections for the majority of our Governor roles are held annually in June/July, but we welcome enquiries at any time. Some general information can be found on this page but please get in touch if you are interested in learning more about the role of the Governors or becoming a Governor for The Swanage School. Our Clerk to Governors can be reached on 01929 500599 or by email on clerk@theswanageschool.co.uk

Governance Structure

The Swanage School is a single academy trust.

Our school is run by the Headteacher and leadership team, overseen by the Governing Body. The majority of Governors (also known as Trustees) are appointed by Members of the Academy Trust, and others are elected by staff and parents.  

Any member of the community is able to join the Academy Trust (see information below).

Governor posts last for four years, and if Governors want to serve again they must stand for re-election. Governors are DBS checked. 

Our Governing Body comprises

  • The Headteacher, who is a Governor ex officio
  • 12 Governors elected by Members of the Academy Trust, Education Swanage
  • Two Parent Governors, elected by parents, who must be parents of pupils when they are elected
  • Two Staff Governors, elected by staff
  • The Governors themselves can co-opt up to three extra Governors.

Governors are appointed for up to four years and may stand for re-appointment at the end of their term.

All Governors are also Directors of Education Swanage.

The Governors may appoint Associates to help with their work:

  • The Associates need not be members of Education Swanage
  • The Associates do not need to obtain a DBS check
  • Associates may attend and participate in discussion at Governors’ Meetings, but may not vote.

Governor Elections

Elections for Governors appointed by Members of the Academy Trust take place at Education Swanage Ltd meetings each year.
If you would like to stand as a Governor please see our Governance Information Pack and get in touch with the Clerk to Governors for more information. 

We welcome nominations for Governors from Members, who may nominate anyone who has energy, enthusiasm and relevant skills to act in the role of 'critical friend' to the school's leadership team.

Other Governors are elected by staff and by parents. When vacancies arise, the relevant constituency (see below) is informed and invited to stand and vote. 

Academy Trust Membership

  • The number of Members of Education Swanage is unlimited. 
  • Members pay an annual membership of £1 (mainly to keep track of who is a member)
  • New members are appointed by unanimous vote of Members. Anyone can apply to become a Member. There is a presumption that new Members will be appointed as long as they sign up to the school's Vision and Ethos.
  • Education Swanage Members appoint up to 12 Governors. 

Please get in touch with the Clerk to Governors if you are interested in becoming a Member. 

Staff Constituency

  • The Staff Constituency comprises all employees (teaching and non-teaching staff)
  • The Staff Constituency will vote for two Governors, who are members of staff 
  • A Staff Governor will cease to be a Staff Governor when their employment at the school ceases
  • In addition, staff may be appointed as Governors by Members of Education Swanage or co-opted as Governors by the Governors, though the number of Governors who are employees (including the Headteacher) must not be more than one third of the total number of Governors
  • The Staff Governors, with the Headteacher, will act as a conduit between the Staff Constituency and the Governing Body. This is in addition to the day to day management structure of the school.

Parent Constituency

  • The Parent Constituency comprises parents of students of the school
  • ’Parents’ includes step-parents, adoptive parents and any person who stands in the position of primary carer of a student of the school
  • The Parent Constituency will vote for two Governors, who must be the parent of a student at the school at their time of appointment
  • Parent Governors must obtain a DBS check (paid for by the school)
  • Parent Governors may continue to be Governors for their full term even after their children have left the school
  • The Parent Governors will act as a conduit between the Parent Constituency and the Governing Body. This is in addition to the day to day open door policy of the school.

Student Constituency

  • The Student Constituency comprises all students at the school
  • Students do not vote for Governors on account of their age
  • Students cannot be Governors on account of their age
  • The Student Constituency will be represented by Student Leaders
  • The Governing Body would like students to have a voice and to give feedback on teaching and learning at the school and will ensure surveys are conducted to seek their opinions on meaningful issues
  • The Governing Body would like the Student Constituency to feel that their constructive opinions are valued, and that they are part of the team that makes the Swanage School a success. 

Community Constituency

The Governing Body welcomes input from the wider community. By adopting cooperative principles of openness and democracy, Education Swanage seeks to make the Trust as locally accountable as possible and to embed The Swanage School in the heart of the community.

Members of the wider community:

  • are not directly involved in running the school
  • will not vote for Governors (unless they are Members of Education Swanage)
  • may be appointed as Governors by Members of Education Swanage or co-opted as Governors by the Governing Body.

The Governing Body hopes:

  • that the school’s relationship with the community will be good for both the school and the community, would like the wider community to feel that their constructive opinions are valued, and that they are part of the team that makes the Swanage School a success. As part of this, the Governing Body considers the Community Constituency to be any person or business with premises inside the catchment area of The Swanage School
  • that some businesses, organisations and individuals in the community will be involved with school clubs, work experience, and community service
  • the school will be an asset to the community, and the community will be able to use the school’s facilities at a modest charge (with any profits going to The Swanage School).

The Governing Body

Phil Ashby, Parent Governor, is a former Royal Marines Commando and currently combines being a mountain guide in the French Alps with life in Swanage. He has 2 daughters at the school.  

Hannah Etherington, Governor, has worked in education for over 20 years and is Deputy Headteacher at a local primary school. Her experience includes staff and curriculum leadership and she is a Safeguarding Lead. Hannah's two children attended the school. 

Robert Fenton, Governor and E-safety Link Governor, has over 15 years' experience working in educational settings and is passionate about supporting young people and building strong local connections.  He is a Crew Manager for the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, bringing leadership, teamwork, and public safety expertise to the community. He is proud to be a member of the Swanage Carnival Committee, helping to organise events that bring residents and visitors together. Robert has 2 children at the school.

Deborah Furmage, Governor, has worked in finance for over 20 years, specialising in strategic business change. She lives in Swanage and has a son at the school.

Tanya Hamilton-Fletcher, Chair of the Staffing, Finance & Premises Committee and Link Governor for Safeguarding, 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 a grandchild at the school.

Cathy Kafka, Governor and Link Governor for SEND, has previously been a governor at schools in Richmond, London. She has experience in SEND and is a volunteer at the Listening Place in London, a charity that supports people who are contemplating taking their own lives. She lives between Teddington and Studland.

William Knight, Governor, 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.

Nicola Newman, Vice Chair and Chair of the Community & Engagement Committee, has a professional background in strategic leadership, careers education, skills and economic development, and communications. Nicola is the Link Governor for Careers and is particularly keen to support the development of students’ post-16 pathways and to help maximise the positive economic impact that young people can have in Swanage while they are studying here. She has been a permanent resident of Swanage since 2012, having visited the town for many years before making it her home.

Dan Parker, Chair of the Internal Scrutiny Committee, has a background in theatre production and live events. Dan is the Link Governor for Health & Safety. He lives in Swanage with his wife and two children, both of whom attended the school. 

Carol Platteuw, Chair of Governors, has worked with children for over 40 years - as a social worker and child therapist. Carol is the Link Governor for Attendance. She lives in Swanage and her grandson attends the school. 

Shelley Thompson, Governor and Pupil Premium Link Governor, is Dean of Education and Student Experience at Bournemouth University (BU), where she leads education and student experience, including teaching, learning and assessment quality and innovation. She also represents BU as an Appointed Governor on the Council of Governors for University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust. Before moving to the UK nearly 20 years ago, she was an award-winning journalist in the USA. She lives in Bournemouth with her husband and teenage daughter.

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.

The Academy Trust

Our Academy Trust is Education Swanage, the members of which are:

Claire Barnes, William Knight, Tim Marcus, Beverley Murtagh, Carol Platteuw, Amanda Rowley, Jessica Starmer, Helen Sumbler and Giles Wade.

Contact the Governing Body

You can contact the Governing Body by emailing the Clerk to Governors on clerk@theswanageschool.co.uk or by writing to them c/o The Swanage School, High Street, Swanage BH19 2PH.