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Safeguarding
Safeguarding

Governance

Governors at Ringwood School come from a wide range of business and professional backgrounds, and are therefore able to draw upon a variety of skills sets that we strive to use productively, effectively and creatively.

All governors act as a ‘link’ between the governing body and different areas of the school, so ensuring that communication is clear and proactive.

The Governors at Ringwood School are committed to excellence in Education at all times. As in all schools, governors at Ringwood focus on three core strategic functions:

  1. Setting vision, ethos and strategic direction
  2. Holding the school leaders to account for the performance of students and the performance management of staff
  3. Ensuring the school’s finances are well spent

Statutory Information:

Chair of Governors: Hugh Paton
chairofgovernors@ringwood.hants.sch.uk

Clerk to Governors: Barbara Martin
clerktogovernors@ringwood.hants.sch.uk

 

Ringwood School Governing Body 

7 DIRECTOR GOVERNORS:

  • Louise Betteridge
  • Hayley Robinson
  • Lisa Brinkman
  • Andy Baxendale
  • Helen Frampton
  • Claire Gorzanski

CHAIR OF GOVERNORS:

  • Hugh Paton

VICE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS:

  • Louise Betteridge

3 PARENT GOVERNORS:

  • Michael Parry
  • Richard Lovett
  • Meredith Tunnicliff

5 CO-OPTED GOVERNORS:

  • Hugh Paton
  • Alison Hawkes
  • Philip Rood
  • Helen Horlock
  • Nicky Bishop

STAFF GOVERNOR:

  • Stuart Fielder

HEADTEACHER:

  • Leanne Symonds

Hugh Paton

Chair of Governors

A Chartered surveyor in the telecommunications industry, Hugh and his family moved to Ringwood to enable his eldest son to attend Ringwood School in 2005. His youngest son completed his Sixth Form education at the School in June 2022. Hugh became a Governor in 2019, and Chair from July 2023. He has also been an active member of the School PTA since 2005 and is currently Committee Chair. Outside of his School commitments he is an Explorer Scout leader and enjoys an active outdoor life.

Louise Betteridge

Vice Chair of Governors

As a qualified accountant, Louise has devoted her career to the NHS for over 30 years. Although born in Bournemouth, she spent much of her younger years in Ringwood where her grandparents resided, moving here permanently with her husband, Andy, over 20 years ago. Working part-time to raise her (now teenage) twins, has allowed Louise to give back some of her time to the local community, working for the past 15 years with a local dog rescue charity and more recently as a Governor at Ringwood School since 2019. In her remaining free time, you may spot her walking in the New Forest with her Border Collie, Nova, or with her family in the French Alps.

Leanne Symonds

Headteacher

Alongside my role as Headteacher I am also proud to be a member of the governing body and to work closely with my fellow governors to ensure that we strive to make sure the school is the best that it can be. I have long experience of being a governor, having served as a governor in my previous headship; I also served as a governor at a First School that my children attended and for the last 11 years I have been a Trustee for The Delta Trust, which is a Multi Academy Trust of Alternative Provision, Special Schools and a Primary School hub. In the Delta Trust role, I have enjoyed being part of the growth of the Trust whilst ensuring that our founding principles of education in the pursuit of happiness remains our clear focus.

Michael Parry

Parent Governor

As a father of three who are all attending Ringwood School and as an alumnus myself I have great affiliation for the School, even if it is unrecognisable from its former days. The school's great reputation was the predominant reason my wife and I moved back to the town some 16 years ago.

When I first applied to be a parent Governor I naively assumed it would be there to represent the Parents and Carers of the school community, I quickly learnt that every Governor's role is all about risk management and being a critical friend for the school, and the reference to ‘parent’ only helps drive diversity in the intake of Governors.

I have worked in the Financial sector for the last 20+ years. My past and present work experience includes advisor to the JP Morgan Swiss employee pension fund Board and more recently sitting on the Board of Barclays Fiduciary Services limited, hopefully this will stand me in good stead to support the Governance of the school.

Richard Lovett

Parent Governor

Richard Lovett is a retired IT Business Development professional. Before retirement in 2021 he was employed as a European Director for Arrow Electronics, as well as many years within IBM at global and European levels. He is currently a foster carer with Hampshire County Council.

Richard graduated in Business & Finance from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1985. He lives in Ringwood and is married with one child.

Claire Gorzanski

Director Governor

Claire is a Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife (lapsed registration) having practised in the NHS as a midwife for 22 years before returning to nursing in a senior leadership and management role. Her most recent role before retirement in 2021 was a Trust wide governance role leading on quality assurance, service improvement and innovation. Claire gained a First Class, BSc (Hons) in Midwifery Studies in 1998 and an MA in Social Policy & Criminology in 2007. In 1999 she was elected to The Royal College of Midwives Council and Trust Board. In 2004 she served as a Nursing and Midwifery Council Conduct & Competence Committee panel member for 8 years.

As a Governor, Claire would like to make a difference in ensuring students receive a high quality education to enable them to achieve their aspirations in life. Her specific interests are quality improvement, governance, student welfare and safeguarding.

Andy Baxendale

Director Governor

Andy is a senior manager with a ‘big 4’ audit firm. Andy has over 25 years’ experience as an innovative leader and has led multi-national teams using advanced technologies to solve complex business problems, ranging from one of the first internet shopping trials in the UK to the construction of oil rigs. He has worked with a wide range of firms covering most industries at some point.

He is also involved with a mentor programme at his work to support IT’s Her Future which is programme aimed to tackle gender diversity, and to encourage more women into technology careers and to support their ongoing development and progression, whether they’re still at school, just setting out on a career path or are looking to move into the most senior roles.

Alison Hawkes

Co-Opted Governor

Alison started working life as a Lighting Engineer in the West End. She then moved to Turkey for over 20 years as Director of an aviation and tourism company, before returning to the UK 10 years ago to put her children in school. She is now working as an Administrator in an I.T. company in Ringwood and living in Poulner. Alison was a governor at Bransgore Primary school and has been a governor at Ringwood for the past 4 years.

Philip Rood

Co-Opted Governor

I became a governor in 2019 after a career working in the media. I am currently Chairman of the Pay and Staff Welfare Committee and my involvement at Ringwood was prompted by an interest in the local community and utilising my experience to make a worthwhile contribution.
My expertise, derived from owning and managing my own business, has provided me with specialist skills that I can look to apply in the decision-making process of organisations which are a key part of the community. Schools are among the most important in this category, helping to shape people who are the future. I hope that my exposure to various environments, initially as a journalist and later as a public relations specialist, provides me with the knowledge and experience to support teachers and staff in achieving the best outcomes for their students.

Lisa Brinkman

Director Governor

I am an IT Specialist Nurse working across University Hospitals Dorset. The role involves working alongside all levels of staff within the organisation to ensure the safe deployment and use of our IT Clinical Systems.
I spent 20 years as a Beaver Scout Leader and enjoyed being a small part of creating an environment where children can become the best version of themselves.
I am also a Mum of 3, two of whom are still at Ringwood and when I saw the advert asking for applications to become a Governor for the school, I felt that it was the right time to become more involved and, hopefully, give valuable support to the continued success of the school. I am one year into my tenure and have really enjoyed working alongside other Governors and the Senior Leadership Team to ensure that our students are given the best possible education and enrichment opportunities that is possible.

Barbara Martin

Clerk to the Governors

I have been Clerk to the Governors/Company Secretary for Ringwood School since January 2021, having previously administered the Admissions Appeal process at the school. I am semi-retired following some 38 years in HR management in the NHS locally and since retirement have undertaken project work for a local NHS Trust from time to time as well as my part-time role for the Governors. It has been a pleasure to experience working in the education sector at Ringwood School alongside such a highly motivated, positive and professional team of staff and Governors.

Stuart Fielder

Staff Governor

Stuart has taught at Ringwood for 14 years, contributing to the school community in a number of differing roles during that time. He is currently Head of Art, but has previously served as a Head of House, Course leader in Photography and Acting Head of Sixth Form. He moved to the New Forest with his family after teaching in London for the first part of his career, and has recently started to work more regularly on his own Art work again. Stuart took on the role of Teacher Governor at Ringwood School in 2022 and is passionate about ensuring that every one of our students get the very best experience of school that is possible.

Helen Frampton

Director Governor

I am the Headteacher of primary school in Christchurch and have been working in primary education for over 25 years. Through this role I have an understanding of effective teaching and learning and school leadership. I also sit on the members board as the Wellbeing Officer for the Wessex Association of Leaders in Education.

The strategic role of a governor has always interested me and I am proud to have been supporting Ringwood School in this role for over a year now. Both of my children attend Ringwood School and take full advantage of the range of opportunities available to them. I feel passionate about helping to ensure it continues to be the best school it can be. I am currently Vice Chair of the Teaching and Learning Committee and also sit on the Student Welfare Committee.

Hayley Robinson

Director Governor

Hayley has had varied career in Adult Social Care for the past 25 years. Working in disabilities teams (18-65yr olds), Drug and Alcohol services, long term conditions and currently at Royal Bournemouth Hospital Social Work team for BCP council.

Hayley qualified as a Social Worker in 2006 she initially worked for Hampshire County Council, New Forest Team for 9 years then moved to her current post in 2013. The move was prompted by the arrival for her second child and wanting to work nearer to home, which was Southbourne. In 2017 life events prompted a change and Hayley and her family moved from the sea to countryside, arriving in North Ripley. School options being an important factor in the move, we were very happy that Ringwood would be our secondary choice in a few years’ time.

Having previously been involved in PTA for many years becoming a Governor seemed like an interesting and fulfilling challenge. Hayley have been a Governor since 2021. Hayley has enjoyed being involved in supporting the staff and students’ welfare committees.

Meredith Tunnicliff

Parent Governor

Meredith has spent over 22 years in the Financial Services industry in change and product management roles, which has allowed her to bring a strong control and risk focused approach to oversight to the governing body. She is currently a Senior Vice President for Bank of New York based in their office in Poole. She was born in Canada and moved to the UK over 25 years ago, settling in the Bournemouth area shortly after her arrival.
Meredith has two sons who attend Ringwood school, having moved there from schools in Dorset where she lives. Meredith became a Governor in June 2022 and is proud to be one of the Parent Governors on the board, representing the views of the parenting body within the Governing organisation. Meredith and her family are avid rugby supporters and her husband and two boys are actively involved with the Ellingham and Ringwood Rugby Football Club as committee members, referees and players. When she is not cheering on from the sidelines Meredith can often be found walking through Ringwood forest with her much loved Cockapoo dog, Poppy.

Helen Horlock

Co-Opted Governor

Helen is now retired but has a working background in the insurance industry. She has some experience of training, managing a team and delivering service to a high level. When her own family were growing up, she worked as a volunteer in schools and both of her children have gone on to become teachers. Helen believes that school should be a happy, safe, motivated and supportive environment to learn and enjoys working within a team with its core aim to deliver this for its young people.

Nicola Bishop

Co-Opted Governor

Nicky has had a career in global Financial Services, initially in branch banking but mostly working in HR and specifically in Learning and Development. This passion for learning and personal development not only led her to attain Chartered Banker status and be a member of the Institute of Personnel and Development, but also a desire to continue working within education now that she has retired from Financial Services.

Having travelled extensively for work and moved across the UK, Nicky loves being settled in the New Forest and taking her beloved Cocker Spaniel, Maisie out for a forest walk every day. Both her children attended Ringwood school, and she became an Invigilator in 2019 - so becoming a Governor was a logical next step. Additionally, Nicky is part of a local SpeedWatch team, a volunteer with the National Park and a Path Warden for the local area.

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