Joy Allan - Foundation Governor and Chair

My involvement with school started 18 years ago when my eldest boy joined the reception class, followed by my youngest, both of whom had a good start in life given to them by the amazing staff at the school, the role of governor came about when my youngest was in year 4 and the journey has been one I have enjoyed and learnt from in so many ways, it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life to be able to support the teaching staff and to see how the school has changed and grown over the years.

I have lived in the village of Winfrith for 20 years, but I was born and brought up in the Purbeck’s but have had opportunities to travel and experience different cultures and countries.

My first career was in catering and I worked for many companies learning lots of skills and meeting different people who all had and influence on my life and its outcomes.

I started at Winfrith Preschool back in April 2005 and took over as Preschool Leader in 2015, it is a career that I am passionate about and with my team strife to give the children the best start in life.

My family are all volunteers for Weldmar Hospice, and we all help in fundraising for a worth while cause, we also help with upkeep of St John’s the Evangelist Church East Holme, where my father is the church warden.

My hobbies include floristry which I qualified in back in 2006, reading and listening to music.

Philip Mann – Co-opted governor

Having spent fifty years in primary education as a headteacher, advisory headteacher, Ofsted inspector and Education Consultant, becoming a governor in a local primary school seemed a natural progression. An additional aspect of my career has been in the training and embedding of technology in the classroom. Make a child curious and they will learn. As governors our brief is to ensure the highest quality of Teaching and Learning in this school and to ensure its pupils enjoy being curious and to enjoy their learning.

Claire Whincop - Parent Governor

I became a Parent Governor towards the end of 2019, within my role I hope to give something back to the school for all their hard work with my 2 children that currently attend the Lulworth site.
I have worked in Primary education for three and half years as a Learning Support Assistant but have also over the years worked as a volunteer within schools.
Prior to working in education I spent many years within the Finance sector in Investment Banking and have also been the Director of my own company looking after the financial side of the business.
I also bring experiences from being a military wife as my husband served thirteen years in the RAF so I know how challenging life can be having to move your children around the country and changing schools.

Peter Noyes - Co-opted Governor

I have recently moved to the area and have been accepted as a Co-opted member of the Board of Governors.  I am a qualified Chartered Psychologist with a Ph.D. from Kings College, London and a degree and teaching qualification from Loughborough University.  I have held a variety of full-time posts in education including over three years as a Primary teacher in Cornwall, a Research Fellow at the School of Education, Bristol University, a Principal Lecturer in the School of Education and Dean of the Business School at the University of Gloucestershire, and latterly Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wales, Newport.  I have also held several non-executive positions at national institutions such as the Confederation of British Industry, Universities Association of Lifelong Learning, Welsh International Consortium and membership of bodies governing primary and secondary schools, universities and regeneration companies.

I have three children who have been educated in state primary and secondary schools in North Somerset and British Universities. I have been very impressed by the quality of the education they have enjoyed and would wish to strive to assist future generations in receiving a similar or better experience.

Marianne Herbert - LA Governor

I joined the governing board in early 2021 as the Local Authority Governor and with a link role in reporting on SEN and safeguarding. 

My background is in law and I have spent nearly 20 years working as a legal adviser to magistrates in HM Courts and Tribunals. I moved with my family to Winfrith 6 years ago back to the home where my husband grew up - in fact his brother went to this school over 40 years ago! 

I have two children at this school and have enjoyed watching them grow with an inquisitive and enthusiastic approach to learning - something their teachers have instilled from the start! I enjoy working together with our governors to support the school in continuing to provide a hugely diverse and enriching learning environment for all pupils.  

Lt Col John Stone - Co-opted Governor

I have been in the Army since 2000, and have served all around the world including Scotland, Germany, Cyprus, Iraq and Aghanistan.  I am currently the Commanding Officer of the Armoured Fighting Vehicle Schools Regiment which teaches the Army to use its armoured vehicles.  The unit is based in Bovington and Lulworth, where I live.  I am delighted to both represent military families and support the local community as a member of the Governing Body.