Chair of Governors

Rachel Bennett - Appointed by the Members

I am Rachel Bennett. I worked as a senior leader in a Bournemouth secondary school for nearly 30 years. On retiring from leadership in July 2023 I looked for ways that I might support and give back to my local community. It took just one tour of Pokesdown Primary School to inspire me to join the team of Directors! I was bowled over by the expert direction of the leadership, the enthusiasm and dedication of the teaching and associate staff and the wonderful, joyful conversation I had with the students when I asked them about their learning and wider-school experiences. Just over a year, and an Ofsted Inspection later, I feel incredibly proud to be part of Pokesdown Community Primary now serving the school as the Chair of Directors.

Barras Stone - Appointed by the Members

I have had a long term interest in children’s' education both through my work and through being a parent and grandparent. I have been a school governor in Bournemouth since 1996 and with Pokesdown since 2000. I am now mostly retired, (with some part time work commitments), having worked in a range of industries including British Aerospace, Blue Circle Cement, the BBC, British Gas and Bournemouth University. I have lived within a few steps of Pokesdown school for many years and know it to be an amazing school, the atmosphere is wonderfully supportive of the children. They learn with enthusiasm and are a credit to their families. I am really proud to be a part of Pokesdown school.

Paul Lord – Elected by the Parents

As an ex-pupil of Pokesdown, with my eldest daughter just finishing her journey at the school, and my middle daughter recently starting, I am extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to contribute back to the school community. As a qualified Accountant I have passion for maths, but I want to ensure that children have a wide variety of learning opportunities, to become well rounded individuals able to adapt for the future. I have worked for a variety of companies, from large corporates to local childcare. I am hoping my experiences and learning from these will support the school making positive contributions in the children's learning and development.

Anne Piggott - Appointed by the Members

My Name is Anne. I was born in Cardiff and lived there for many years until I moved to live in beautiful Bournemouth in 1999. I have been a Primary Teacher for over 33 years, a job I absolutely loved. I was fortunate and privileged to spend my last 20 years of teaching at the remarkable Pokesdown Primary School, a school I care about with love and passion! This year I had early retirement and it is a privilege and honour to become a Governor again at this incredible school. There certainly is not another school like Pokesdown. It radiates love, laughter, vision, the list goes on and it is a joy to be part of helping the school develop from strength to strength. 

John Kidney - Co-opted by the Directors

I am John Kidney, I am married to Jo and have two adult daughters and two grandchildren.  I was born in Northampton and lived there for most of my life.  From the age of seven, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. 

I am now retired after forty-five years in the teaching profession, mostly in primary schools in Northamptonshire. In 1992 I was appointed as Deputy Head at Alfred Street Junior School in Rushden, I served there for twenty-five years, eight as Deputy Head and seventeen as Headteacher.

Throughout my career, I served as teacher governor and then as headteacher governor.  I also served as a parent governor at my daughters’ school.   

In 2020 Jo and I, we moved to Southbourne to be closer to family and I am now a licensed lay minister at All Saints’ Church Southbourne, where I am Parish Safeguarding Officer and the church council lead for children and families. 

Prior to moving to Southbourne, I was a volunteer safeguarding trainer for Peterborough Diocese and chair of trustees for a Church of England care home. 

I am very pleased to have been invited to join the directors and hope that my experience will be of benefit to Pokesdown. 

Jade Forster - elected by the parents

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Charlie Cooper - Co - opted by the Directors

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Lee Forde - elected by the parents

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