Our Governors

Dennis Gamblin - Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor

  • Term of office 12/12/20 – 11/12/24
  • Committees: Community Committee, Resources Committee, Standards & Wellbeing Committee, Complaints Committee
  • Panel: Appeals & Disciplinary
  • Link Governor: Literacy and English as an additional language (EAL)
  • No business or pecuniary interests declared

Dennis Gamblin took early retirement in December 2016. He wanted to remain active and saw being a Governor at Swanmore College as an ideal opportunity to provide this whilst giving something back to the community in the area. Dennis has lived in the Meon Valley area all his life and in Swanmore for the last 20 years. He attended the ‘college’ when it was a Secondary School in the early 1970’s and both of his daughters were also students there.

Dennis worked in local government for 40+ years and had a variety of jobs in that time across a wide range of services, some of which involved direct customer service (including customer complaints) and some more back office such as policy and research. His last role was a senior manager for a centralised back office administration Team of over 150 people. All of these roles provided him with experience of running services with reducing resources, while dealing with all aspects of HR and Health& Safety and financial management. He was also involved in service transformation exploring and implementing digital solutions to deliver services.

Dennis is a qualified Company Secretary and also holds an accounting qualification – he has also been trained in a number of performance techniques e.g. a qualified EFQM Excellence Model Assessor.

 

 

 

Bex Perryman - Vice Chair of Governors

Co-opted Governor

  • Term of Office 2/12/19 – 1/12/2023
  • Committees: Community Committee, Resources Committee, Standards & Wellbeing Committee, Complaints Committee
  • Panel: Appeals & Disciplinary
  • Link Governor: Careers and Equalities
  • Business or pecuniary interests:
    Community interest company owner aimed at teens and adults in Meon Valley
    Non-profit organisation run from Swanmore Village Hall

Bex relocated to Hampshire in 2014. Since moving South she has developed her career in the Education Sector working for Students’ Unions, Universities including University of Portsmouth and University of Southampton and collaborated with other educational partners across the region. Bex in particular has worked in Careers and Outreach Departments to support young people in making informed decisions about their futures, she is also experienced in Project and Event Management. This varied experience gives her the knowledge to support the Governing Board to help support and represent the students, staff and parents at Swanmore College.

In her spare time Bex is an aerial coach specifically aerial hoop and tippy hoop! She also enjoys running, hiking travelling and cooking!

 

 

Nicola Fisher - Parent Governor

  • Term of office 12/06/23 – 11/06/27
  • Committees: TBC
  • Link Governor: TBC
  • No business or pecuniary interests declared

Nicola is currently a Global IT leader in an International Response company. Prior to this, has many years with Operations in hospitality and manufacturing. This combination helps identify what technology and support is needed to deliver successful IT and Cyber services. With experience of living and working internationally, having an inclusive approach to all projects has often been central to success.

” Having been to Swanmore College myself, I am proud to have my family there also. I am looking forward to the challenges being a Governor will bring and learning more around the support we give as a team to the school’s continued success “

 

Simon Firth - Co-opted Governor

  • Term of office 13/3/23-12/3/27
  • Committees: Standards & Wellbeing Committee (Chair)
  • Link Governor: Teaching & Learning
  • Business or pecuniary interests:
    The Principal of Salisbury Sixth Form College and a Governor of Salisbury Sixth Form College

Simon Firth has two sons and is a parent governor at Swanmore. He has lived in Hampshire for over 10 years now.

Simon is the founding Principal of Salisbury 6th Form College which was set up in 2014 in Salisbury. The college achieved a ‘Good’ rating in their first Ofsted report in 2017 and the college is now part of a small multi academy trust serving the Salisbury area.

He has over 20 years teaching experience, mostly in London secondary schools. Most recently as Deputy Headteacher at Swanlea School in Whitechapel, which was judged Outstanding for the first time while he was there. His previous experience puts him in a good position to advise and support the governing body in all areas related to education. He believes that Swanmore is in a really strong position with a great team of staff and the capacity to improve rapidly.

 

 

 

Phil Harris- Bridge - Co-opted Governor

  • Term of Office 2/12/19 – 1/12/2023
  • Committees: Resources Committee (Chair), Pay Committee
  • Link Governor: Health & Safety
  • Business or pecuniary interests:
    Chair of Governing Board for Castle View Primary
    Governor at Ark Charter Academy
    Governor and Member of the Audit Committee at South Hampshire College Group
    Panel Chair and Member for Schools Independent Admissions Appeals Service
    Director of family-owned Consultancy business
    Non Executive Director of RS-Components
    Non Executive Director of the Search/Governance and Audit Committees at Eastleigh College
    Chair of School Improvement Board at The John Roan School

Phil’s career in the commercial sector spanned IT, manufacturing and distribution businesses, with 16 years spent in Director roles with a global component distribution business. Married with two daughters, he has a First Class Honours degree in Business Management and lived in the East Midlands for over 30 years, before moving to Hampshire in early 2019.

He is a Non-Executive Director (NED) on the Boards of the Brooke Weston Trust, the Collaborative Academies Trust and a Pensions Trust and has recently completed two 3 year terms as a NED on the Board of an NHS Hospital Trust. He has been a school governor for over 25 years at a variety of the primary and secondary schools in both the Local Authority and Multi-Academy Trust sectors. He is currently Chair of the Governing Board at a secondary academy in Portsmouth and is a Schools National Leader in Governance (NLG), involving working in and leading where necessary, schools or academies needing to improve their leadership, management, governance and student progress or outcomes.

Phil is keen to provide his knowledge and experience to Swanmore College as his “local” secondary school, to actively support the ambitions and objectives of the College for its students, staff and the local communities it serves. Spare time interests include travel, ballroom and latin dancing, charitable causes and reading economics, politics and business.

 

 

 

 

Helen Horn - Parent Governor

  • Term of office 6/6/22 – 5/6/26
  • Resources Committee, Pay Committee (Vice -Chair)
  • Link Governor: Healthy Eating
  • No business or pecuniary interests declared

Helen is a qualified management accountant and has had a varied career including senior account at Pirelli Construction, COO & FD at Fat Face Ltd, Founder director at Vanilla Catering & Events, business consultant for both large national firms and small local companies, has worked in Guernsey on Russian Investment Trusts and was a professional yachtswoman racing and sailing around the world.

She now is a parent rep on the Wessex Children & Young Peoples Diabetic Network, covering the hospitals in the Wessex Region, is treasurer for her local T1 Diabetes children’s support charity and works with Diabetes UK on projects to improve inpatient care for diabetic patients.

She was involved for 10 years with the vulnerable family support charity Home-Start, as treasurer for Havant, and then vice-chair for Hampshire, and led the merger of six of the Hampshire Home-Start charities to ensure their continuation in a difficult funding environment

She has two girls; one has just finished in Year 11 at Swanmore and one is in Year 9. Both girls have long term medical conditions so she has a particular interest in ensuring inclusivity in school and helping all pupils reach their individual potential.

She enjoys sailing, travelling, ballroom dancing and reading, when not being a parent-taxi!

 

 

Jane Hulme - Co-opted Governor

  • Term of Office:  16/11/20 to 15/11/24
  • Committees: Standards & Wellbeing Committee
  • Panels: Appeals & Disciplinary
  • Link Governor: Safeguarding
  • Business or pecuniary interests:
    Trustee of Eaton UK Pension Plan

Jane is an ex pupil of Swanmore and went on to study at Peter Symonds College. Following this she gained a degree in Business Administration from the University of Portsmouth. After commencing work she undertook further studies and completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management. Jane has worked in Human Resources for over 20 years with leadership positions in Aerospace, premium Automotive and retail businesses. Jane was part of the start up team for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and throughout her career has managed large scale recruitment programs and had responsibility for large manufacturing facilities.

Jane has a passion for STEaM subjects and has designed and implemented strategies to provide a number of workplace training programs including apprenticeships, intern and graduate schemes for school leavers and early in career professionals.  Part of her work in HR involves workplace wellbeing with a focus on mental health and inclusion and diversity.

Jane has experience of financial management and governance having undertaken a role as a Trustee Director of a corporate pension plan.

Jane has a son at Swanmore College and two children in primary education who will become pupils at the school in the future.   In her spare time Jane enjoys anything outdoors with a keen family interest in historic motor racing. Her son’s participate in outdoor kart championships and team football. Her daughter enjoys gymnastics.

Jane wishes to contribute to the successful running of the school recognising the importance of education as an enabler for further learning and development leading to successful and fulfilling careers.

 

 

Justin Jamieson - Parent Governor

  • Term of Office:  13/07/2021 – 12/07/2025
  • Committees: Resources Committee, Pay Committee (Chair)
  • Key Role: Designated Training Governor (DTG)

Justin has lived in Durley & Swanmore for the last 20 years and is married with 4 children, 2 of which at Swanmore college.

Originally studied to be an architect and for the last 25 years, Justin has led complex programs across the talent acquisition outsourcing and associated HR services space both internationally and domestically and across multiple industry sectors.

At the core is my passion to help people connect to opportunities through positive experiences. Technology has been transformative, but the importance of the human element remains essential, especially for our next generations of talented people.

Outside of work, Justin always has several DIY projects on the go, is a huge dog lover and motorbike enthusiast.

 

 

Kyle Jonathan - Headteacher

  • Term of office 23/3/15-
  • Committees: Resources Committee, Community Committee
  • Governors representative Swanmore Parents Association
  • No business or pecuniary interests declared

 

 

Ian Mills - Co-opted Governor

  • Term of Office 16/5/22 – 15/5/26
  • Committees: Standards & Wellbeing Committee, Community Committee
  • Link Governor: Wellbeing
  • No pecuniary interest

Ian has many years in international business management. Most recently he worked in a French multinational leading their transformation programme.  Previously he managed business and contracts building trains and signalling systems around the world. In the UK Ian was also a Managing Director in the air traffic control organisation, NATS and was responsible for managing the regulated UK and Oceanic airspace.

Having recently retired from full time employment, Ian wants to use his experience to support local business and organisations.  Being a governor at Swanmore gives him the opportunity to help the College to continue in their journey to achieve their ambitious goals.

Ian and his family live in the Meon Valley and are currently in the 10th year of renovating a Tudor house. He is a keen cyclist and a member of the Fareham Wheelers Cycling Club.

 

 

 

Matthew Moore - Co-opted Governor

  • Term of Office 08/03/21 – 07/03/25
  • Committees: Standards & Wellbeing Committee (Vice Chair)
  • Link Governor: Behaviour
  • No pecuniary interest

Matt has lived in the region for several years now, with roots firmly planted. He also has children at the college and with a vested interest wanted to play a more active role in Swanmore College and give greater investment into the local community. Utilising his experience from his career in the Armed Forces allows the opportunity to help contribute to the strategic leadership provided by the Board of Governors allowing the day to day operations to be managed by the Headteacher and his staff and in sum, assisting in the delivery of the very best education for our young people.

Matt joined the Royal Navy in 1996 as a Warfare Officer and over the last 25 years has had a mix of Ships and Staff appointments as well as specialising as a Mine Clearance Diving Officer requiring training in Bomb Disposal, he also has experience in military human resource management. He has worked in many areas of the Royal Navy and Defence, not least three Sea Command positions as well as the planning and execution of global strategic operations from MOD Main Building in London.

 

 

David New Berry - Local Authority Governor

  • Term of office 24/05/20 – 23/05/24
  • Committees: Community Committee (Chair), Headteacher Performance Management Committee (Chair), Standards & Wellbeing Committee, Complaints Committee
  • Panel: Appeals & Disciplinary
  • Link Governor: SEND
  • No business or pecuniary interests declared

David Newberry retired from the Royal Navy, as a Captain, in 1997 after 33 years’ service as an engineer officer, which was followed by eight years responsible for running HMS Warrior 1860, the historic ship in Portsmouth Dockyard. He retired in 2006 and since then has spent six years as a Parish Councillor in Clanfield and four years as a District Councillor in East Hampshire. He served on the Planning Committee for a number of years and spent a period in the Cabinet as the Finance Portfolio Holder.

David moved to Swanmore in August 2014, is currently a Parish Councillor and has been a Governor of Swanmore College since 2016

 

 

Tessa Philpott - Co-opted Governor

  • Term of office 8/1/18 – 7/1/22
  • Committees: Standards & Wellbeing, Resources and Headteacher Performance Management Committee
  • Panel: Appeals & Disciplinary
  • Link Governor: Able Pupils
  • No business or pecuniary interests declared

I have lived in Swanmore for over 20 years and both my children went to Swanmore College before moving on to Peter Symonds College and university. Their time at Swanmore gave them skills (both academic and non-academic) which helped them subsequently, and I would like to think my input as a Governor will help prepare present and future pupils for their futures.

I am a Chartered Accountant and have dealt with businesses of varying sizes and industries. I was also a Taekwondo Instructor (until stopped by injury) at Powerhouse Taekwondo club which uses the Community Facilities at the College.

 

 

 

 

 

Tina Paskins - Co-opted Governor

  • Term of office 10/07/23 – 09/07/27
  • No business or pecuniary interests declared
  • Committees: TBC
  • Link Governor: TBC

Tina Paskins is currently employed by local government for over 20 years and currently works at Southampton City council within the Trading Standards Team. Within this role there is a lot of work ongoing around vaping and underage sales and Tina is hoping that she can impart some knowledge in this area to deal with the growing problem. She runs a small team managing the work programs and deals with HR and budgets.

Tina has lived in Waltham Chase for over 20 years and has a daughter at Swanmore and is keen to input to help make the experience for students at Swanmore as good as it can be.

When not working Tina loves to travel and attend music gigs and cannot wait for Swanfest 2024.

 

 

Kyle Evans - Co-opted Governor

  • Term of office 10/07/23 – 09/07/27
  • No business or pecuniary interests declared
  • Committees: TBC
  • Link Governor: TBC

Kyle is the Director of Maths & Computer Science at Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, where many Swanmore students go on to next. I’ve worked in education for my entire working life since university, as a Secondary maths teacher at Wildern and then at South Downs and finally Barton Peveril. I live in Swanmore and have children who will eventually pass through the College.

 

 

 

Governors who have left in the last 12 months

Anne Cook end 1.24
Laura Barker end 5.23
Phillip Walker end 6.23
Charlie Oulton end 6.23
Matthew Short end 6.23