Governor Details

I spent my childhood in Swanage until leaving for university where I graduated in Development Studies (issues impacting developing countries). I spent a further 15 years working in London before returning to Swanage after the birth of my second child. My children both attend St Mary’s and I was delighted to be appointed an associate governor in December 2018, as it provides an opportunity to contribute to this wonderful school.

For the last 18 years I’ve worked for Colt.net, a provider of high bandwidth global solutions. Starting as an IP engineer, I progressed to managing DNS/IP teams across Europe and India. In recent years I’ve left the IT coal-face behind by moving into business transformation project management and have delivered various off-shoring, new product and continuous improvement projects.

After working in the Tech Sector for over 20 years I frequently find I am the only woman in the room. I’m therefore keen to see girls get excited about STEM subjects as they’re a pathway to so many interesting career opportunities and it’s the only way to address the gender imbalance & pay gap that exists in so many industries.

Alan Frame

I have been teaching in Dorset since moving to the area in 1996. I was headteacher of Downlands School in Blandford for 14 years. I have also supported other schools during my time at the school and as part of the school improvement team within Dorset Council. I have a shared role of Headteacher and also work as a Education and Standards Manager for Plymouth CAST. Within education I have specific interests in mathematics, technology and music. Outside of education I enjoy family life and boating.

Rebecca Meteau

I came to teaching rather later in life having completed a PGCE specialising in RE, with The Primary Catholic Partnership SCITT in 2001. I joined St Mary’s in 2009, having taught in other local primary and first schools. I am currently deputy head, teach year 6 and coordinate RE and English.

Jacky Porter

I trained as a SRN at Poole Hospital and after graduating worked for a period at the Middlesex Hospital in London. I was a joint partner in a photography business for over 25 years and am working as a researcher in an IT company. I have for many years painted portraits in oil. One of my paintings was short listed for the John Walker award at the National Gallery and two other paintings are exhibited in the Johnny Walker museum. I am married with 3 adult children and 5 grand children. I have lived in the Swanage area for 40 years.

Sandy Porter

I graduated from Bournemouth Art College where I also served as the Student Governor. I then went on to complete a post graduated degree at the Royal College of Art in London. My family and I moved from London to Swanage in 1979. My career has included undertaking assignments for international and national organisations like the Sunday Times. These involved travelling and working in many different countries.

I am currently a board director of an IT security company that works is in the area of delivering high assurance identities to provide secure online services for the UK government and commerce. An important area of the work is the age verification of individuals and protection of their data. A major component of this work is aimed at the protection of children in the digital world. My expertise in these areas means that I am asked to speak on these topics at conferences, be a member of Uk Government advisory working groups and an EU R&D assessor.

I have joined St.Mary’s Governing Body as a Foundation Governor because the school has always had a wonderful reputation in the local community for providing an excellent all round education for young children. I hope that I can make a small contribution to maintaining and extending this by working with the other governors and staff.

Janice Williams

I have been the Clerk to the Governing body since 2006 so have seen many changes in the school since that time including a move to a two tier system of education and relocation of the school to a new premises. My three sons all attended St Mary’s but have now moved on to university and secondary school. I have been a Clerk at local schools since 2002 so have lots of experience to bring to the Governing Body. In September 2016 I became the school’s Finance Officer which allows me to ensure governors are well appraised of all financial matters. In January 2019 I became a School Hub Business Manager which means that I am also the Business Manager for 3 other CAST schools.

John Wood

After gaining a degree in Mathematics in 1969 I trained as a secondary school teacher in Sheffield and then taught at secondary level for ten of the following 13 years; I was at Cambridge University for the years 1972-75 reading Theology and training for priesthood in the Church of England, for which I was ordained in 1981 in St Edmundsbury Cathedral. I have been a school governor in primary or secondary education for most of the time since I returned to teaching in 1975, in Suffolk, Kent, and then in Swanage where I was Team Rector until 2016, involved with all the local schools and as a foundation governor of St Mark’s. Since retirement I have continued to volunteer at St Mary’s, helping with reading practice, year 6 trips and school productions. Appointed to the Governors at the end of 2020, I am pleased to have the responsibility of SEND lead supporting the vital work of our SEND Co-ordinator Mrs Gray and all school staff in enabling children with special educational needs or disabilities to enrich their lives and achieve their full potential.