Governors

Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

Welcome from the Governors

 

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,

 

On behalf of all the Governors, welcome to St. Mark’s CE Primary School.

 

As a governing body we are very proud of our children and the school community to which they are central. As a Christian school we are keen to support the Head of School and her staff not only in creating a centre of excellence in Christian learning but also in developing our children into young adults who enrich our society. The school has a close and valued link to St. Mark’s Church and also works with other local clergy and churches which greatly supports school life.

 

At St. Mark’s School governors, staff, parents and children work as a team building on success, in an atmosphere of care where everyone feels valued. We would like to thank all the parents and careers who encourage and support their children so admirably creating a strong partnership that supports our ethos. We are grateful for the support of parents and the ‘Friends of St. Mark’s’ who work hard to raise funds for the school and promote the sense of belonging that we hope all families feel.

 

Governors are appointed to ensure that objectives are met and that planning for the future is both visionary and realistic.  We are here to support and encourage our Head of School, Senior Leadership Team and all school personnel so that children have access to a rich education and the opportunities they deserve. We are recognised for and proud of our nurturing, caring and safe environment that enable our pupils to thrive and make good progress during their time with us.

 

For prospective parents and pupils visits to the school are encouraged and the children and staff of St. Mark’s look forward to meeting you and showing you around our great school.  Please contact the school office to arrange this.

 

I am available to parents for any matter relating to the school, once you have discussed it with the Head of School.

 

Dai Hounsell

Chair of Governors

Our Governing Body

 

The School Governors at St. Mark’s CE Primary School are parents, staff, foundation (Church) and co-opted representatives who are very interested and enthusiastic about the well-being of our school and our pupils and staff.

 

The Governors meet regularly and oversee the leadership and management of the school, providing expertise, critical friendship and a great deal of support to the school.  Their chief concern is to ensure a high quality education for the pupils of St. Mark’s and that the school complies with initiatives and legislation such as the Freedom of Information Act.

 

Our Governors at St. Mark’s are extremely approachable and welcome opportunities to share information about their business and to discuss school matters.

Foundation Governors:

 

Mr D. Hounsell – Chair of Governors

 

 

I became a foundation governor at St. Mark’s in autumn 2015, since when it has been a privilege and a joy to get much better acquainted with the life and work of the School, its staff and its pupils. Throughout my career I’ve been involved in learning and teaching at university level, and while there are all sort of parallels that can be drawn with how schools go about their work, I’ve had a great deal to learn (and to go on learning) about primary education and its great achievements and challenges.

 

In my teens, I was a pupil at Poole Grammar School (though I’m no fan of the 11-plus), and moved back to Dorset four years ago, after 25 years in Edinburgh, where my sons still live, along with our three grandchildren aged 1, 6 and 9.  In Swanage, I’m involved with Rotary, The Wave Children’s and Youth Ministry, the Swanage Volunteer Bureau, and the Saturn Education Trust.  I still teach and do talks from time to time in in other universities, including Bournemouth where I’m a visiting Professor; play golf (with lots of enthusiasm and little skill); and love walking the coasts and hills of Purbeck.

 

 

Mrs J Evans

 

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to serve as link governor for SEN at St Marks School. My own children attended the school and I have a high regard for its inclusive approach to education.

 

I have lived in Swanage all my life and I am a retired teacher with a background in secondary education: teaching History and English and later in my career coordinating provision for those with special educational needs. I also have personal experience of a child with SEN and am passionate about ensuring the progress of those students diagnosed with additional needs.

 

Having retired from teaching I am now busy in the charity and volunteer sector, I am a Dementia Champion and volunteer for the Art Workshop in Swanage. I also have a part time job as a Wayfinder for Dorset Popp where I work with over 18s putting them in touch with the services they need.

 

Current Vacancies

 

There are currently four Foundation Governor Vacancies. If you are interested in applying click on the SDBE link below where you can download the appropriate forms.

 

https://www.salisbury.anglican.org/resources-library/schools1/governors/appointing-foundation-governor

 

Co-opted Governors:

 

Mrs B Selman – Vice Chair of Governors

 

 

I have lived in Swanage since 1999, with my husband, David, who was returning to the town having been born and brought up in the area.

 

I became a Governor in September 2016, since which time I have been impressed by all that the school is doing to ensure that our pupils receive the best possible education. I particularly value the insight I am currently gaining from being able to spend time each week in school working as a volunteer alongside teachers in their classrooms.

 

As soon as I left the University of Leeds I became an English Teacher in a challenging secondary school. Subsequently I followed a career path between schools until I finally became Headteacher of a large Comprehensive School in London. Following my retirement, I supported the senior managers of many secondary schools in difficulty, and was privileged to observe in action and assess over three hundred inspirational teachers as an Assessor of Advanced Skills Teachers in a national programme.

 

Although my career is rooted in secondary education I now very much enjoy learning about primary education in St Mark’s.

 

Parent Governors: 

 

Mr. P. Knight

 

 

The opportunity to become a parent governor at St Marks presented soon after Joss had started in year 2 having moved schools mid-year. Our youngest son Gabriel is for to start Little Birds in January. I had no hesitation in putting myself forward having seen the way the school worked and feel very lucky to be in a position to help and the school. I joined at a very busy time with the Multi Academy Trust process in full flow but I am proud to say I have been part of this exciting opportunity for the school.

 

I work in education as a PE at The Compass Centre which is a Pupil Referral Unit based in Weymouth. Alongside this I am a level 4 football supply league referee, also operating as assistant referee at contributory league level.

 

My wife Sabina and I moved to Swanage from Poole in 2009 and have not looked back, it was always our favourite place to visit in our spare time and feel lucky to live in such a beautiful place.

 

Head of School:  

 

Ms S Craig

 

Staff Governor: 

 

Staff Governor – Vacancy

 

Clerk to Governors: 

 

Mrs. J. Ramsden