During challenging times across the nation, governors are meeting fortnightly 'virtually' to ensure that the school is abreast of  the changing situations that we are facing.

 

Introduction by the Chair of the Governing Body

 

Welcome,

 

If you reached this page, then you have either clicked the wrong link or you’re curious about the governors.

 

We are the part of the Leehurst Swan family responsible for ensuring we comply with all the regulations that control the delivery of independent education. We also help set the vision and direction of the school, but probably the best part of our role is being encouragers and cheerleaders for the amazing staff who educate and care for your children. We get very excited when we see not only pupils, but also staff discovering and developing new skills and talents, achieving personal bests, and finding their voice.

 

We are all volunteers and bring our life skills and professional and educational qualifications to the task of governance. Some of us are parents of current or former pupils and some of us had no previous link with Leehurst Swan before becoming governors.

 

We are always looking for new governors to maintain and increase our skill set and expertise and would love to tell you more about what being a Leehurst Swan governor involves. So, if you’ve read this far and are still curious, just send an email to bursar@leehurstswan.org.uk with ‘Governors’ in the subject line and leave your contact details and we’ll be in touch.

 

Ian McDonald *

Chair of Governors

 * The Chair can be contacted via the Clerk to the Governors; bursar@leehurstswan.org.uk

or c/o Leehurst Swan School, Campbell Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3BQ.

 

The Governing Body is responsible for determining the aims and overall conduct of the school. It sets and reviews the policies, plans and procedures to ensure the best possible education for both present and future pupils, including the finances.

Details of individual governors can be found below. In addition, the Head and Bursar attend full governing body meetings.

Each governor is a member of one or more committees and has selected an area of the curriculum, as an area of special interest.

The full Board of Governors meets three times a year (once a term) and has overall responsibility for ensuring compliance and monitoring progress against agreed targets.

Members of the Board are: Governors of the School; Directors of the Company; and Trustees of the Charity.

 

Committee Structure

Each committee has its own terms of reference and delegated responsibilities. In addition to the established committees, ad hoc working groups are sometimes formed to deal with specific issues delegated by the Board.

Education, Welfare & Personnel

Chair: Jonathan Wansey 
The Education, Welfare & Personnel Committee oversees the quality of education provided both in terms of the makeup of the curriculum and the standards of teaching. It monitors teaching strategies employed, resources used, learning environment and standards of teaching provided, and extracurricular activities. Additionally it monitors Learning Support, Child Protection, Sex Education, Worship and Equal Opportunities. It further oversees the appointment and performance of staff, the performance management system, and the monitoring and review of Disciplinary, Capability and Grievance Procedures and Equal Opportunity Policy.

Finance and Estates

Chair: Steve Spicer

The Finance and Estates Committee is responsible for overseeing and advising upon all aspects of financial operation, financial management and prudent financial development in the school. The aim of the committee is to support the Governing Body in achieving their strategic and academic vision.

Health and Safety

This committee is responsible for the welfare, health and safety of pupils and includes Governor representation.

Marketing

Chair: Genevieve Middleton
This committee includes Governor representation and co-ordinates all marketing activities of the school, including advertising, local and school events, market research and membership of ISC and other national organisations.

Risk and Compliance

Chair: Doug Gale

"The Risk and Compliance Committee has particular responsibility to assist and advise the Governing Body and school Senior Leadership Team in fulfilling corporate governance and independent oversight responsibilities in relation to the School’s management of risk, compliance with applicable legislation and standards, and its external regulatory reporting responsibilities."

 

Governor biographical details

 

Doug Gale, MBE

Doug gained a degree in Electronic Engineering at Bangor University, a Cranfield Masters in Defence Administration (MDA) and a Masters in Defence Studies with Kings College London. He was commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1983 as an Aero-Systems Engineering Officer, enjoying a service career of over 20 years before retiring as an Air Commodore in 2012. After leaving the RAF, Doug spent a year and a quarter working for Booz & Co consultants in the United Arab Emirates, before joining QinetiQ to take up his current role as the Air & Space Business Engineering Director.

He now lives near Salisbury with his wife Susan and two daughters (one a current student and the other a former student at Leehurst Swan) and their aging Labrador. Doug is a Parent Governor and is chair of the Risk & Compliance.  He co-chairs the Education, Welfare and Personnel Committee.

Area of special educational interest: ICT

 

Ian McDonald QPM

Stephen Spicer

Although not originally from Salisbury, Stephen has lived in and around the city since 1978. Stephen has been a local businessman for over 25 years and continues to be involved with a number of businesses. Stephen has a real passion for business and he regularly mentors new businesses in South Wiltshire.

Stephen is a very keen cyclist, covering many miles across Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire.

Stephen is married with three children, all of who have been pupils at Leehurst Swan. Having had children in the Seniors and Prep area of the school, it gives him a broad view of life at Leehurst Swan. He was Chairman of FOLS for four years and on the committee for eight years, he remains committed to FOLS by providing assistance when required.

Stephen is Deputy Chairman of the Board and is on the Risk & Compliance Committee, Marketing and is Chair of Finance & Estates

Areas of special educational interest: Senior School, Arts and Drama

 

Jonathan Wansey BA Cert.Ed

Jonathan is now retired from the teaching profession, having taught in both the Maintained and Independent sectors of education for over forty years. For the final twenty years of his career he was a Preparatory School Headmaster, firstly at Bow School in Durham and then for the last fifteen years at Crosfields School in Reading.

Jonathan now lives in Heytesbury, near Warminster. He is married with three children and six grandchildren.  He is a keen golfer, watercolour artist and gardener.

Jonathan co-chairs the Education, Wefare and Personnel Committee.

Areas of special educational interest: Physical Education