Governance

Our role as governors is to work as a team in partnership with the Headteacher and staff to:

• Set the vision, ethos, and strategic direction of the school, aligning with The River Learning Trust’s values.
• Challenge and support the school to achieve the goals set out in the school improvement plan.
• Hold the Headteacher and senior staff to account for the educational performance of the school and its students.
• Ensure the school remains within budget and that the school’s budget is well spent for the benefit of students and staff.
• We don’t do this alone—governing is very much a team effort. Decisions are made together, and we welcome different perspectives and lived experiences. A strong governing body isn’t just about professional expertise; it’s about bringing a wide range of voices to the table.

Alison Denby 

Chair of Governing Body

I joined the governors’ team in 2026. I have a daughter who started at the Swan in 2025 and a son in year 7 from 2026.

I lead the Academic Journals publishing team at Oxford University Press where I help to support its mission of excellence in research in education. I have many years’ experience helping commercial and not-for-profit organizations to develop and deliver on their strategic objectives while meeting financial goals.

As a parent I was attracted to the Swan by the diversity of the student body and its ambition to enable every child to reach their personal potential. As a governor, I plan to support equality in educational opportunity and to help the school where career options and opportunities for student graduates are changing in a way we have perhaps never seen before.

Governor Category: Community

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of Office:  pending election at the LGB meeting on 29th September

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: None

Jackie Armstrong

Sixth form & Careers Governor Lead

Governor Category: Community

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of Office: 14.11.2024- 13.11.2028

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: None

Matthew Lafite

Chair of Resources Committee, Finance Governor Lead

I am a new governor at The Swan School as of 2025.

My professional background is in financial services, and business management, where I held several leadership positions within corporations in my native Australia. In England, I am an associate director of a fine art auction house in Moreton in Marsh. I have an MBA from the University of London and am currently completing my doctorate.

Education and investment in young people are paramount for our future. I want to contribute by using my experience to support the school’s efforts in providing excellent education for all students.

A certified cricket tragic. Heavily conflicted during each Ashes series!

Governor Category: Community

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of Office: 21.11.24 - 20.11.28

Declared pecuniary or material interests: Magistrate, HM Courts and Tribunal Service, Ministry of Justice.

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: None

Imogen Bridson-Jones

Behaviour & Attendance Governor Lead

I became a governor in 2023.

My youngest son is in Yr 9. I have experience as a parent of different schools as my eldest son attended another school.

As well as a parent I am a clinical psychologist working in the NHS with experience of developing public sector services.

I want to support the Swan School, as a new school, in its aims to provide an excellent education for all children in a friendly and challenging learning environment and to support the school as it develops its sense of community and embeds a richer school life.

Governor Category: Parent

Appointed by: Parents

Term of Office: 03.07.2023 – 02.07.2027

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: None

Chris Orme

Vice Chair of Governing Body, Communications Governor Lead

I have been a parent governor for just over a year, with a special interest in parent, pupil and community engagement as well as effective communication. My daughter is currently in Year 8 and I have a son who will join The Swan in 2026. I work in the private sector, specialising in commercial, sales and marketing roles. I want to support the school in delivering its belief that students should leave The Swan School having achieved more than they ever believed possible whilst living the values of kindness, dedication, integrity and ambition.

Governor Category: Parent

Appointed by: Parents

Term of Office: 28.02.2024 – 27.02.2028

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: None

Joanne Bowlt

Sustainability Governor

As the Sustainability Governor I am keen to ensure that our students and staff, many of whom care deeply about climate change and the biodiversity crisis, feel proud of their school and the way it is addressing both current and future challenges.

I have been a volunteer with Swancom since my youngest son, now in year 10, started at Swan and value the vital role parents have in supporting the school and its community. 

I am passionate about helping young people develop resilience and learn to play their part in the transition to a more peaceful and sustainable world. As the Sustainability Governor I am keen to ensure that our students and staff, many of whom care deeply about climate change and the biodiversity crisis, feel proud of their school and the way it is addressing both current and future challenges.

Governor Category: Co-opted Governor

Appointed by: Governing body (co-opted)

Term of Office: 11/12/2025 to 10/12/2027

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: No

Claire Leech

SEND Governor Lead

I have 20 years of experience of working in education, including as a Teacher of Maths and English  to adults and teenagers.  I am a qualified Teacher and SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator). I have a broad range of experiences and have worked in both state and private primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and special schools. My experiences have included teaching English to refugees, working with and individuals with complex needs and tutoring high-achieving pupils.

My daughter spent seven years at The Swan School, having joined in the when the school opened. I am passionate about making education accessible and about supporting the needs of individuals.  

Governor Category: Community

Appointed by: Governors

Term of Office: 30/04/2026 to 29/04/2030

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: Trustee, Oxford City Farm

Aga Gurbin

I currently work at an independent day and boarding school in Oxford, where I lead English as an Additional Language provision and support teaching and learning across the languages faculty. My professional interests include teaching and learning, curriculum development, and multilingual education.

My experience spans independent and state secondary schools, language schools and higher education in both Poland and the UK. I am passionate about helping young people access an excellent education, achieve their potential and feel a strong sense of belonging within their school community.

I’m looking forward to supporting The Swan School in providing an excellent education for every student and in ensuring that all students feel valued, included and able to thrive.

Governor Category: Community

Appointed by: Governors

Term of Office: 12/06/2026 to 11/06/2030

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: None

Kay Wood 

Headteacher

Governor Category: Headteacher

Appointed by: Ex officio

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: None

Adam John

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Governor Lead

Governor Category: Staff

Appointed by: School staff

Term of Office: 18.11.2023 – 17.11.2027

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: None

Paul Irwin Crookes

Safeguarding Governor Lead

I became a Parent Governor in the summer of 2025 and have a son at the school in Year 9. My professional experience has been quite varied over the years. Since 2011, I have been an academic based at the University of Oxford, where I teach about China’s foreign policy and have a specialist research focus on EU-China economic relations. In 2023, I took on a leadership role within the university as Associate Head of the Social Sciences Division, responsible for the Education remit. I embarked on my current academic career after working for about 20 years in the international IT industry, which included work assignments across Europe, the United States, India and China.

I am passionate about supporting the values that underpin the Swan School’s ethos and to helping all of our students develop their full potential, both inside and outside the classroom.

Governor Category: Parent

Appointed by: Parents

Term of Office: 04.09.2025 – 03.09.2029

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: None

Alex Robson

Governor Category: Staff

Appointed by: Staff

Term of Office: 10.09.2025 – 09.09.2029

Declared pecuniary or material interests: None

Other educational establishments governed, or charity trusteeships: National Education Union representative for the Swan School.

Previous Governors (those who have served in the last year)

If you wish to contact a governor, please email to clerk@theswanschool.org.uk marked for the attention of the Chair of Governors. Alternatively you can send a letter addressed in the same way. If you have any concerns about your own child please contact the school directly in the first instance.

Governing body of Swan School – attendance at governor meetings 2025 - 2026

n/a: Governor not in post on that date.

Click here to see the Governor Register – Declaration of Business and Pecuniary Interests