Meet the Governors

Acting Executive Headteacher

Mr. S. Geary

As Acting Executive Head Teacher of Swingate Primary School I automatically become part of the governing body. I have been involved in the governance of schools, in one form or another, for other 20 years. I am currently the vice chair of governors at my daughters’ school in Swanley and I am on the board of directors at the Thinking Schools Academy Trust. I take the role of governor very seriously and enjoy helping to set the strategic direction of the school.

Swingate is a fantastic school and I feel genuinely privileged to be a small part of its future.

Acting Head of School

Mr. M. Wignell

As Acting Head of School, I automatically become a member of the Governing body and enjoy working alongside the elected Governors. Our Governors give their time and use their skills wisely to support, challenge and improve the lives of all the children at Swingate School.

Chair of Governors

John Murdoch

I am married to Laura and we have 2 children, Charlie and George who both attend and enjoy Swingate Primary School. I recently became a parent governor because I have a passion for Education and believe my job as a Senior Transport Operations Engineer for Kent County Council provides me with the skills and qualities to make a positive contribution to the school so that it can continue to remain highly successful and go from strength to strength. I enjoy motor sports, spending time with my family, and restoring my classic Mini.

Staff Governor

Jessica Wilde

I have worked at Swingate School for 4 years In Year 1 and Year 6 and have loved every minute of it. I strive to make the children’s time at school the best it can be and give them the skills they need to go on and make Swingate proud. I am looking forward to working as a staff governor to move the school forward in its ongoing journey by working as a team in order for the children to believe, learn and achieve.

Co-opted Governors

Tara Baker

I was born and raised in the area and have recently moved back close to Swingate. I have worked in the finance sector for the last 13 years and have been in a senior management role for the past 9 years. Having become a parent myself 3 years ago, I have a keen interest in how schools are managed and operated and I am excited to join the governing body of Swingate. I look forward in helping the school grow and achieve in the changing times.

Sally Furniss

I have been a Co-opted Governor at Swingate since December 2015, and have recently become the school’s LA governor. I taught at Swingate from 2000 -2014 when I went on maternity leave. My heart is in this school and experienced working in Year 2 and Foundation Stage 1. I then became a qualified Forest School Leader and worked across all ages supporting children to build their self- esteem and grow in confidence to achieve. Now as a governor , I continue to support the school and am very proud to be part of a school that helps staff and pupils to believe, learn and achieve.

Nasima Ephraim

I moved to Medway in 2018 with my family and decided to become a governor to be more immersed in the local community. I have worked in education for a number of years and am a qualified primary school teacher. I have a passion for education and developing the whole child. On visiting Swingate I have found it to be welcoming and vibrant. Most importantly the children always seem to be enthusiastic about their learning and school. As part of the governing body I would like to share my knowledge about teaching, learning and child development to support the Swingate community.

Parent Governors

Terry Smith

I am married to Gemma and have two boys, both of whom attend Swingate. I applied to become a parent governor primarily because my children asked me to, but also because I felt my skills working as a senior director in the NHS could offer something to the governor role. I have a law enforcement background but now specialise in delivering assurance and advisory services to NHS organisations across the UK and it's that experience I will use to help support and challenge the school to drive continuous improvement for our children.

Samantha Carter

I am married with 2 children, Izabelle age 6 and Skylar age 1 – Izabelle attends Swingate and when the position of Parent Governor arose I wanted to grab this with both hands and have the opportunity to make a difference. My children’s future is of the uppermost importance and this is why I am delighted to be given the opportunity in making a difference in the education, of not just my daughter, but the school as a whole. I have sat on the committee of a local playschool so hope that this experience will be beneficial in my position. I am an enthusiastic, well motivated individual and would hope to be an asset to the school, dedicating my time to be a proactive and effective Parent Governor.

Vice Chair

Rachael Simpson

I wanted to become a school Governor in order to be able to make a positive difference to the children of Swingate's education, and to be a part of the learning journey which the school is on.

Clerk to the Governing Body