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.

Naomi Winnifrith

Chair of Governing Body

I became a parent governor in 2019 when the school opened , with a link role in safeguarding. My eldest son left the school last year and I still have a son in Year 12.

I am currently training to be a Social Worker at Oxford Brookes University and hope to graduate this year and go on to work with children and families. My background is working in housing and homelessness prevention.

I want to support the school in its aim to provide an excellent education for each and every student but also to be a place of kindness, opportunity, friendship and community.

Governor Category: Community

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of Office: 10.11.2022 – 09.11.2026

Declared pecuniary or material interests: Full time employment as an ASYE Social Worker (Children and Families ) for Oxfordshire County Council.

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

Emily Harris and Matthew Larminie

Joint Headteachers

Governor Category: Joint Headteachers

Appointed by: Ex officio

Term of Office: n/a

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

Chengbo Wang

I joined the governors’ team as a community governor at the Swan School in 2025.

Working in the higher education sector, I deeply understand how school education forms the foundation for people’s lifelong learning and success.

It is both an honour and a joy for me to support the Swan School in its pursuit of excellence – helping students achieve their fullest potential, grow as individuals, and contribute meaningfully to society and the world.’

Governor Category: Community

Appointed by: Governing Body

Term of Office: 05.05.25 - 04.05.29

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.

We want our governing body to reflect the rich diversity of The Swan’s community, so we welcome people from all backgrounds, whether or not you’ve been a governor before.

If you’re interested but unsure about the full governor role, we also appoint co-opted governors — people with specific skills, experience, or perspectives that can benefit the governing body. This is a more flexible way to contribute without taking on the full commitment of a governor role.

The governing body is made up of parents, members of the community and teachers at the school.

What’s Involved?

You don’t need any prior experience — just a willingness to ask questions, share your perspective, and be part of a team. We offer full training, an induction, and a buddy system to support new governors.

Meetings take place in the evening (5:30-7:30) on Tuesdays or Thursdays, either in person or remotely. Governors attend eight meetings per year and join either the

• Resources committee (focused on finance, maintenance and development of the school site and staff support)
• Impact committee (focused on education and student outcomes including student well being).  

Each governor also takes on a link role in an area of interest or expertise, meeting with a senior staff member three times a year to discuss progress in that area.

Please contact the chair of governors (see below) if you would like to have an informal chat about being a governor.

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.

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