St Mark's Church of England Aided Primary School became an academy on 1/12/15, known as St Mark's Church of England Primary School.

As a new institution from 1/12/15, records regarding the Governance of St Mark's Church of England Primary School are presented from that date.

Members, and Governing body committee structure 2019/20:

The Governors of St Mark's CE Primary School are appointed by the Members, who are:

Mrs Sue Arnold (Appointed by the Members)

Mr Darryl Tidd (Representing The Talbot Village Trust)

Mrs Anita Hazell (Representing Bournemouth Septenary Trust)

Mrs Moira Lawson (Appointed by the Members)

Sir Christopher Lees (Representing The Talbot Village Trust)

Mrs Sharon Matthews (Representing Salisbury Diocese)

The full governing body meets regularly (at least five times a year). Each governor also sits on one or more sub-committees which carry out specific, delegated functions. Those sub-committees are:

Admissions Committee (Chair: Mrs Ann Smith)

Curriculum Committee (Chair: Mrs Michelle Homer)

Finance Committee (Chair: Mr Peter Whittle)

Premises and Health & Safety Committee (Chair: Mr Darryl Tidd)

Staffing Committee (Chair: Mrs Sara Adeney)

Ethos Committee (Chair: Rev. Rupert Higgins)

The chairs of those committees also form the Standing Committee (Chair: Mrs Michelle Homer).

 The appointed Governors:

Michelle Homer - Chair of Governors/LA Governor

I was first appointed a parent governor in 2006, when my two children were attending the school, I became chair of governors in 2015, I also chair the Curriculum and Standing Committees. I am very passionate about education, driving high standards of education is key to meet every child's needs as I am a firm believer that ‘Every Child Matters’.

I feel very dedicated to the school & its developing structure, with a strong desire to help the school improve in order to become the very best.

My background is working in and managing early years settings, and property management.

Sara Adeney - Foundation Governor

I have been a governor at St. Mark’s for 10 years and vice chair for over 6. Both my daughters attended the school, during which, I was also actively involved with the S&PA.

As a local teacher myself, with over 25 years’ experience, I am passionate about education and feel very privileged to be part of a dedicated team committed to the development of this thriving school.

Peter Whittle - Foundation/Parent Governor

I have been a foundation parent governor since 2010 and currently serve on the Finance and Premises committees.

Having spent all my career in the tax & accountancy profession my current role is as tax manager in the Poole office of a large independent firm. I am pleased to be able to bring the skills and knowledge gained over many years to help St Mark's to maintain its position as a wonderful school for the local community.

Darryl Tidd - Foundation Governor

I represent the Talbot Village Trust. I became a Governor in 2016 – I am the Chair of the Premises Committee and a member of the Finance and Standing Committees. I am also a Member, jointly responsible for appointing other Governors.

Apart from overseeing the Trust’s support for the school I have a keen interest in educational matters, with a young son currently in Year 4. I am a Chartered Surveyor and spent a large part of my career in the Financial Services industry. Outside of work I like to get out on my bike and am an enthusiastic if not expert member of Poole Wheelers.

Vanessa Biles - Staff Governor

I have been involved with St Mark's Primary School since 2005 when my daughter started in Reception.

In 2009, I started working at St Mark's as a Teaching Assistant across the school with a wide range of experiences. Further training has allowed me to work as a Nurture Group Assistant, ELSA and Parent Support Worker.

My previous working life are skills from the catering, retail and health sectors of which I believe my personal strength is the ability to listen, communicate and have an understanding of the needs of others.

Being in school every day, I have the privilege to explain to other Governors what life is really like on a day to day basis.

Ann Smith - Foundation Governor

I was appointed as a Foundation Governor because of my involvement with St Mark’s Church. I am a member of the Parochial Church Council, a lay pastoral assistant and sidesperson. During my 30 years as a Governor, I have been on the Staffing, Curriculum and Admissions committees.  My special interests are Early Years and Special Educational Needs. I am a keen support of the Nurture Group.  My background is education. I trained as a teacher and taught in schools in the north of England and finally in Bournemouth.  I was Headteacher at a private school and have taught in a number of schools across Bournemouth, including St Mark’s.

Julie Watkin - Parent Governor

I have been a Parent Governor for St Mark's since January 2014. I have a son in Year 6 and a daughter in Year 1. I currently sit on the Staffing and Curriculum sub-committees but have also previously sat on the Premises and Finance sub committees. I am the appointed Safeguarding Governor Lead for the School and take this responsibility very seriously. I have worked as a Project Manager and in IT Services for over 15 years and through this have developed financial, organisational and communication skills which I feel are of benefit to my role as Governor. I am proud that my children attend St Mark’s and enjoy the opportunity to assist in ensuring it continues to be the happy, caring and accomplished school it is.

Rev. Rupert Higgins - Ex-Officio Governor (as Parish Priest of St Mark's Church)

I am the Vicar of St Mark’s Church of England Church, Talbot Village and have been Vicar since 2010. Previously I was a Vicar in Bristol but started my working life in Derby (quite a few years ago now!) working at Rolls Royce Aero Engines. I am married to Jo and we have a lovely daughter Alice-Rose who, at the time of writing, is just over two years old. I love St Mark’s school and think that all the staff do a wonderful job in making the school a welcoming happy place to learn and flourish.

Emma Howell - Foundation/Parent Governor

I was newly appointed at the beginning of the school year. I have a son currently in year 2 and another son attending Pre-School. I work for a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service which provides support to children and families struggling with emotional and mental health. I am currently on the staffing and curriculum sub-committee. I feel able to offer knowledge and skills that I have developed within my professional role alongside being a parent. St. Mark's School has a fabulous reputation of putting the children first, allowing them to achieve and feel supported in a caring Christian Community.

In 2003 I became Headteacher of St. Mark’s.

Whilst in Bournemouth I have been a parent Governor of the other schools and as the only Bournemouth primary school in the Diocese of Salisbury I felt it important to promote the links with the ‘mother church’ and have been a director of The Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust. For six years I was Chair of the Bournemouth Schools’ Music Association which presents the annual Pavilion Christmas Carol concerts. I continue as a Vice President and committee member of the association. I am married with two children in their early twenties.

Lisa McGaw - Parent Governor / Vice Chair/

In July 2018 I was appointed as a Parent Governor at St. Mark's where I now have two children attending in Reception and Year 3. I have worked locally as a primary school teacher for 12 years, and as a SENCO for the last 4 years, where I support teachers to meet the learning needs of all children and ensure that the curriculum promotes the development of the 'whole' child. As a member of the Curriculum committee I look forward to drawing upon both my experience within education alongside that of being a parent.

The register of declared business and pecuniary interests:

Interests of previous Governors/Members can be found archived in the records of previous academic years (see below), as can attendance for all Governors in previous years.

Please see below for register of meeting attendance during 2018/19:

Key for attendance figures:

Y = attended

S = Stepped down from Governance role

A = Did not attend, sent apologies

X = Did not attend, no apologies sent

Z = Planned meeting cancelled

n/a = Not a member of that committee