Upton Junior School Governing Body
Chair of Governors
Mrs Deb Alexander responsible for SEN and Pupil Premium
d.alexander@uptonjun.dorset.sch.uk
Vice Chair of Governors
Mrs Jo Shepherd responsible for Safeguarding
j.shepherd@uptonjun.dorset.sch.uk
Co-opted Governors
Mr Keith Parsons responsible for SEN & Curriculum & Data
Mrs Diana Crisp responsible for Curriculum & Data
Mr Lawrence Long (Deputy Head)
Parent Governor
Mrs Jo Shepherd responsible for Safeguarding
Staff Governor
Mrs Kim Longhurst responsible for Pupil and Sports Premium
Meet the Governors
Keith Parsons - SEN & Curriculum & Data
My name is Keith Parsons and I am very honoured to have served as Chair of Governors at Upton Junior School for the last 6 years, now stepping aside for Deb Alexander. I am totally committed to working with all Staff, Parents and my fellow Governors in supporting you all in our efforts to provide an excellent, stimulating and rewarding education for the children who attend our school.
I have been in Secondary School education throughout my working life, starting as a Modern Languages Teacher, followed by some years as a Pastoral Year Leader and then a stint of 26 years as Deputy Head at Poole High School. I thought it was the best job in the world and I was lucky to have worked with excellent colleagues and amazing students.
I have two grown up children and one younger son who recently attended Upton Juniors; my elder son is a Consultant in Intensive Care in a London hospital and my daughter is a University Lecturer in Birmingham- I am immensely proud of all three!
Until Aubrey started at the Infants School my knowledge of Early Years teaching was very scant and I have been hugely impressed by what I have seen, both here and at Upton Infants and I have found my new educational journey a real pleasure to embark upon.
My hobbies include reading, music, cricket and going to airshows. I also try, with varying degrees of success, to grow vegetables on my allotment!
Diana Crisp – Curriculum & Data
I am a retired teacher who worked in a local junior school for 23 years. I now work part time for Winchester University as a link tutor. This enables me to go to many schools and help aspiring young students on their journey to be a teacher.
I am also a Governor of a federated school locally which has an infant school and junior school. I was part of the governing body when it became federated and more recently became an academy.
Both my children went to Upton Juniors and now my grandchildren. Upton has been my home for 38 years and I enjoy living here very much.
I hope to help to further develop the junior school and look forward to working with the team of staff and Governors.
Kim Longhurst - Staff Governor
My association with Upton Juniors spans over 25 years, firstly as a parent and for the last 8 years as a Teaching Assistant. From September, I have an additional role supporting children with speech and language and ELSA which I am very much looking forward to.
All four of my children enjoyed their time at UJS before heading off to Lytchett Minster School. Two are now married and working in their chosen careers, one is studying Global history and politics at university and my youngest is in year 12 taking four A levels.
In my spare time I enjoy taking long walks in the countryside with my partner Wayne and our dog Barney. Family time is also important to me so we all get together as much as possible especially since the arrival of my granddaughter. I love to craft and am currently learning crochet.
Deb Alexander - Chair of Governors - SEND & Pupil Premium
I have a daughter in Year 5 and have been part of the Local Governing Committee since she joined the Junior school in 2021. In that time, I have been the Safeguarding Lead, and Vice Chair, and I am looking forward to taking on the role of Chair this year. I am passionate about all children being able to access the education and support that they need to thrive, and this year am also swapping my Safeguarding hat for a Pupil Premium one to ensure that those children from disadvantaged backgrounds are given the opportunities to help them succeed. Outside of my governor role, I am also a wife, mother, and HR Business Partner, so fully understand the challenges many parents face in juggling all these different roles and responsibilities. When I do get any spare time, I’ll either be reading a book, or catching up with friends.
Jo Shepherd - Vice Chair - Safeguarding
My name is Jo Shepherd and I have been a parent governor since autumn term 2021. I live in Upton and I currently have 2 daughters at the school and a younger child who will be attending in the future. I took on the role as I wanted to help support the school to be the best it can be for our children and community. I am the Vice Chair and my current role is safeguarding. I am a GP and work in a practice in Blandford. In my spare time I enjoy sea swimming, running, biking, dog walking and generally being outside with the family.
Summary of relevant business and pecuniary interest of Governors at Upton Junior School
| Name | Date of appointment to office | Directorships, partnerships and employments with businesses that provide goods or services to the school (s) | Trusteeships and Governorships | Any other potentially relevant interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tony Collins (Headteacher) | Headteacher | None | None | None |
Keith Parsons (Co-opted) | 1st January 2017 (renewed 2021) | None | None | None |
Kim Longhurst (Staff) | 14th September 2021 | Teaching assistant | None | None |
Diana Crisp (Co-opted) | 7th December 2017 (renewed 2021) | None | Co-opted Governor with the Livingstone Road Federation | None |
| Lawrence Long | 29th September 2021 | None | None | None |
| Deb Alexander | 15th December 2021 | None | None | None |
| Jo Shepherd | 15th December 2021 | None | None | None |
| Resigned Govs | ||||
David Sargent (Co-opted) | 7th December 2017 (renewed 2021) | None | None | None |
John Godber (Co-opted) | 26th January 2018 | Leaf Academy Trust | Vice Chair Governor of Leaf Academy Trust Trustee of Dorset County Scouts and the Listening Ear | None |
| Ann Leyshon | 27th January 2020 | None | None | None |
| Mrs Anne Willis-Fisher | 31st August 2016 | None | None | None |
Sue Alsop (Co-opted) | 20th March 2019 | None | None | None |
Neil Lewry (Staff) | 31st October 2020 | Site manager | None | None |
Sarah Fudge (Co-opted) | 20th March 2019 | None | None | None |
Jo Vernon (Co-opted) | 7th December 2017 | None | None | None |
Julie Harrington (Co-opted) | 7th December 2017 | None | None | None |