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Our Wessex family of schools

Governors

Our Local Governing Body consists of a group of enthusiastic and committed people who volunteer to work in partnership with the school staff to shape the future of the school and to decide the key issues that will help staff to raise standards.
We are particularly fortunate that we have a wide cross section of skills and experience among our governors with representation from parents, staff and members of the community.

Our school is part of Wessex Multi Academy Trust; a single entity established to undertake a
strategic collaboration to improve and maintain high educational standards across a number
of schools. Our responsibilities as Local Governors are delegated to us by the Board of
Trustees for the MAT and these are contained in the Scheme of Delegation.
For more information about governance in Wessex Multi Academy Trust, please click here:
https://wessex.ac/governance

The local governing body is part of the Trust Board of the Wessex Multi Academy Trust and has a strong focus on three core strategic functions:

  1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
  2. Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
  3. Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

The composition of the local governing body is as follows:-

Name Category Link Role Term of Office 
Louise Greenham Ex-officio 01.09.23 –
Johnny Dunne (Chair) Parent Governor Health & Safety 11.10.23 – 31.03.26
Jackie Sonner (Vice Chair) Co-opted Governor Safeguarding 09.11.22 – 08.11.26
Lesley Goldsack Co-opted Governor SEND/PP 01.11.23 – 31.10.27
Margaret Moss Co-opted Governor   1.11.23 – 31.10.27
Freya Young Parent Governor   27.06.23 – 26.06.27
Nicola Bramley Co-opted Governor Finance 08.03.23 – 07.03.27
Phil Sales Co-opted Governor   15.11.21 – 14.12.25
Ruth Sivarajah Parent Governor   07.02.24 – 06.02.28
Vacancy Staff Governor    
Victoria Thompson Clerk to Governors Vthompson@wessex.ac  

Governor Directory

Jonathan Dunne – Chair of Governors / Elected Parent Governor

As the Chair of Governors my focus is to work closely with the Head of School to ensure the preservation and promotion of the school’s vision and ethos.  As a husband and father to two boys, one of whom is a student at Damers, my commitment to their well-being and education is unwavering. Just like you, my children are at the centre of my world, and I recognize the pivotal role that their early education plays in their growth as individuals.  From the moment my son first entered the Foundation gates, I have been captivated by the exceptional warmth, expertise, and dedication exhibited by the entire Damers staff. To express my gratitude for their tireless efforts in nurturing and empowering our children to become the best versions of themselves, I couldn’t think of a better way than serving on the Board of Governors.

I can be contacted via the school office – office@damers.dorset.sch.uk.

Lesley Goldsack – Co-opted Governor

I have lived in Dorset all my life and I’m married to a farmer with whom I have four children in their twenties.   I have been a teacher for over thirty years and now do supply work at Damers First School where everyone in the ‘Damers Family’ has a rich, creative and forward thinking vision.  I am passionate about education and I strongly believe that the child must be at the heart of all educational decisions and this is exemplified at Damers.

Margaret Moss – Authority Governor

I became a Children’s Services Authority Governor of Damers School in June 2012. I was a primary school Headteacher in Hertfordshire for 14 years.  I also worked as a School Improvement Partner in Hertfordshire.  In 2011 I retired to Dorset.  I am still a Hertfordshire Improvement Partner and I am working for Dorset County Council as a School Evaluation Partner.

Phil Sales – Co-opted Governor

I have lived in the local area of Dorchester for over 30 years and now I live with my family in Poundbury, Dorchester.  My son attends Damers and my newly born daughter will also attend in years to come.  I believe Damers is a wonderful school, with a great ethos and the curriculum is exceptionally strong.  I have been a primary school teacher and now headteacher for nearly 20 years.  My teaching career started in Bridport before I moved to Sherborne to be a deputy head.  I am now the headteacher of Buckland Newton Primary School.  I am very proud to be a governor at Damers school and feel excited to support this fantastic school for years to come! 

Jackie Sonner – Co-opted Governor

I am very proud to have been appointed as a governor at Damers school. As such, I have had the privilege to witness first-hand the kindness, dedication and professionalism of all the staff in creating an inclusive and nurturing environment where all learners can thrive and grow, both academically and personally. A vibrant curriculum underpinned by ‘Harmony’ principles with a clear focus on the environment and global citizenship is being developed and I feel passionately about supporting this evolution. With a background in teaching and school leadership, and as a member of the local community, I am committed to using my experience and knowledge to assist the chair, head of school and senior leadership team to uphold the school’s vision and values and to ensure the best possible education for all our children.

Victoria Thompson – Clerk to the Governors

I am currently a Clerk to Governors covering 3 schools within our Trust. I was previously a foster carer and enjoy being involved with children in making their experiences in and out of education the best it can be. I am honoured to be part of the LGB meetings and supporting Governors that have such an important role in supporting the school.

Freya Young – Parent Governor 

It is my absolute privilege to serve as a Parent Governor for this wonderful school. My son has already been through Damers and had an incredible start to his education. I now have a daughter in the school, and another who will eventually join, and am very invested in Damers’ future. There is such a strong community and a feeling of inclusivity and kindness in Damers, which I have seen reflected in the children, and I admire the focus on the environment and the Harmony principles that underpin the curriculum. I am continually impressed by the dedication and enormous efforts of the staff, and it is a real pleasure to be able to give back to our school community and help support everything that makes Damers special.

Ruth Sivarajah – Parent Governor 

I am very passionate about education and the undeniable impact that schools have on pupils particularly in their early years.  My son currently happily attends Damers and I have been overwhelming impressed by the care, dedication, and knowledge of the staff.  It is an honour to be able to play an active role as a Parent Governor to support the school and give back to the fantastic work that is being done to provide children with a great education and start in life. 

After growing up in Dorchester myself, I have since gained 20 years of experience of working both with and in Primary schools.  I currently work for Teach First who are an organisation focusing on improving the life chances and choices for children experiencing poverty. 

For more information about becoming a School Governor, please click here.  If you would like to contact any of our Governors, you can get in touch with them via the Office.

To view the Governing Body Attendance Register for 2023-24, click here.  

Damers First School is part of the Wessex MAT, for more information please visit the Wessex MAT website.  To view the Wessex MAT Register of Business Interests, please click here. For our Scheme of Delegation, click here.