Upton Junior School Local Governing Committee
Welcome to our Governors’ section.
Upton Junior School is an academy that is part of a Multi Academy Trust called Hamwic Education Trust.
Information about governance at Hamwic Education Trust can be found on the Governance page of their website: https://www.hamwic.org/governance/
The Board of Trustees at Hamwic Education Trust is accountable for governance at Upton Junior School but has established a Local Governing Committee [LGC] to which it delegates specific governance functions for both Upton Infant School and Upton Junior School (known collectively as Upton Schools)
Functions delegated to the LGC are outlined in the Scheme of Delegation
Chair of Governors
Mrs Jo Shepherd
j.shepherd@uptonjun.dorset.sch.uk
Upton Junior School, St Martin's Road, Upton, Poole, Dorset BH16 5NQ
Co-opted Governors
Mrs Diana Crisp
Mrs Jill Turner
Mr Stephen Allen
Alison Carter
Dawn Goodwin
Vacancy
Vacancy
Vacancy
Parent Governor
Rhian Homer
Benjamin Whittingham
Staff Governor
Tanya Best
Vacancy
Meet the Governors
Stephen Allen - Co-opted governor (Vice Chair and Health & Safety)
I retired a year prior to the Covid pandemic after a career transgressing logistics, as a Hazardous Goods freight manager, then data analyst for the operations team in a Boiler manufacturer company. With a will to put something back into the community I enrolled as a volunteer with both NHS and RVS. I then responded to an advertisement in the local Community magazine advising of vacancies for co-opted Governors at the school, as I am of the belief that all children should be given the best opportunities for a good education and early start in life and am pleased to be in a position to give some service in this field.
Away from volunteering I am a very keen Poole Pirates Speedway follower and also a regular at Poole Town Football club matches.
Tanya Best - Staff Governor
I have been a teacher at Upton Infant School since qualifying in 2016 and have loved teaching across all infant year groups. I currently teach in Year 2 and enjoy helping children grow in confidence and independence.
Over the years, I have taken on a range of roles including leading School Council, Art and now Maths, where I support staff and pupils and contribute to developing our maths curriculum.
Alongside my teaching career, I have been raising my own family, which has deepened my appreciation for the strong sense of community at Upton Infant School. I value the nurturing, family-centred ethos that supports both pupils and their families and where staff feel valued, heard and respected. I am keen to help foster and strengthen this shared sense of community across both the Infant and Junior schools as we federate.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and walking our dogs in the forest.
Alison Carter - Co-opted Governor (Pupil Premium)
Profile coming soon
Duncan Churchill - Executive Headteacher
Profile coming soon
Diana Crisp – Co-opted governor (Data and Maths)
I am a retired teacher who worked in a local junior school for 23 years. I have also worked for Winchester University as a link tutor. This enabled 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.
My children and grandchildren have attended Upton Infant and Upton Junior schools. Upton has been my home for 46 years and I enjoy living here very much.
I hope to help to further develop the federation and look forward to working with the team of staff and Governors.
Dawn Goodwin - Co-opted governor (Safeguarding)
Profile coming soon
Rhian Homer - Parent Governor (Curriculum)
I am a parent governor at The Upton Schools, where my daughters currently attend. Professionally, I am a teacher and Year 6 lead at my own school, and I hope to use my experience in education to help support and develop the learning and experiences of all children at The Upton Schools.
My governor role is focused largely on supporting teaching and learning across the curriculum, with a current emphasis on reading and writing. Outside of school, I enjoy music, cooking, socialising with friends and family, and relaxing with a good TV series.
Jo Shepherd - Co-opted governor (Chair of Governors)
My name is Jo Shepherd and I'm the chair of the governing body at Upton Schools.
I became a governor of Upton Juniors in 2021 and have been an active member of the board since then. I have held designated roles in SEND and safeguarding and was Vice Chair from 2023-2026, when I became chair.
I live locally and have 3 children who have been pupils at the schools. I became a governor as I wanted to do my part in supporting the schools to flourish and provide the educational and pastoral care our children deserve.
Jill Turner - Co-opted governor (SEND)
My name is Jill Turner and I am currently attempting, but failing at, a phased retirement by being a SENCO in 2 local schools.
I started my journey in education as a TA in a special school, qualifying as a teacher in 2000 teaching all year groups between Nursery and Y7 in a variety of schools across BCP eventually becoming Assistant Head, DSL and SENCO in a primary school in Bournemouth. In my last 2 schools I was the staff governor and enjoy the challenges that this offers to help a school team make things even better for the children.
In my spare time I play a variety of instruments including the flute and trombone. I am also learning German and Arabic on Duolingo and like to go out geocaching.
Benjamin Whittingham - Parent Governor
Profile coming soon
Governor Meeting Attendance
Summary Register of Interests
Name and appointment | Confirmed | Organisation | Type of interest | Notes | From | To |
Name: Stephen Allen Appointment: Co-opted | Nothing to Declare: 19/03/26 | - | - | - | - |
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Name: Tanya Best Appointment: Staff | Confirmed: 21/05/26 | Upton Infant School | Business or financial | Member of teaching staff at Upton Infant School | 27/02/26 |
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Name: Alison Carter Appointment: Co-opted | Nothing to Declare: 27/09/25 | - | - | - | - |
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Name: Duncan Churchill Appointment: Executive Headteacher | Confirmed: 16/09/2025 | Charlene Nicklen | Employee | A friend of my wife. | 01/09/21 | -
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Confirmed: 16/09/25 | Upton Schools | Personal or close family relationship | My wife is friends with some of the parents of children attending the schools | 22/04/25 |
25/04/28
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Name: Diana Crisp Appointment: Co-opted | Confirmed: 24/09/25 | Livingstone Road federation | Governor | - | - |
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Name: Dawn Goodwin Appointment: Co-opted | Nothing to Declare: 24/09/25 | - | - | - | - |
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Name: Rhian Homer Appointment: Parent Elected by parents | Nothing to Declare: 20/10/25 | - | - | - | - |
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Name: Jo Shepherd Appointment: Co-opted | Nothing to Declare: 24/09/25 | - | - | - | - |
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Name: Jill Turner Appointment: Co-opted | Nothing to Declare: 24/09/25 | - | - | - | - |
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Name: Benjamin Whittingham Appointment: Parent Elected by parents | Not confirmed |
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Summary Register of Interests - historic governors (last 12 months)
Name: Rhian Wootten Appointment: Co-opted Leaving date: 06/05/26 | Confirmed: 24/09/25 | - | Personal or close family relationship | I have a child who attends the school | 05/09/21 | -
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Name: Charlene Nicklen Appointment: Staff Leaving date: 06/01/26 | Confirmed: 24/09/25
| Head Teacher - Duncan Churchill | Personal or close family relationship | I am friends with Duncan Churchills Wife | 01/09/21 | - |
Name: Deb Alexander Appointment: Co-opted Leaving date: 09/12/25 | Confirmed: 14/09/25
| Hamwic Education Trust | Other governance role | Board of Trustees | 01/09/25 | - |
Name: Georgia Verran Appointment: Staff Leaving date: 01/09/25 | Nothing to Declare: 19/09/24
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Name: Simon Davey Appointment: Parent Leaving date: 01/09/25 | Nothing to Declare: 06/05/25
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