Name: Keith Spence

Position: Chair of Governors

Committees/Responsibilities: Chair Performance Management, Academy, Pay Review, SEND, Pupil Premium, Humanities, Year 6

Date Appointed: 20/11/2018

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 20/11/2026

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2023: 100%

I graduated from Leeds University in 1971 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Initially working for Monsanto Chemicals, I then moved into the food industry working for Imperial Tobacco Foods and Mars Confectionery for 12 years. My Mars experience led me into Mars Electronics and from there I joined RM Education for nearly 30 years, working in many roles including Manufacturing Director, Information Systems Director and Services Director. RM being the leading supplier of Software and Services to UK education gave me the opportunity to work with many schools and local authorities. I retired after 46 very happy and enjoyable years in 2017.

​My wife Sue and I moved to Marlow in 1975 and we have lived here since bringing up our two boys Tim and Matt who are now both married to Laura and Maidlin respectively and who also live in Marlow. We are very blessed to have six grandchildren who have either been to or are currently at Spinfield School.

​Spinfield is an excellent school and I feel very privileged to be a Governor with an opportunity to give something back. In addition to being Chair of Governors I have responsibility for SEND and Humanities as well as being attached to a year group which gives me a wonderful insight into the children’s life at school.

Name: Alex Bone

Position: Vice Chair of Governors, Curriculum Learning & Teaching

Committees/Responsibilities: Safeguarding & Child Protection, Academy,  LA Governor

Date Appointed: 7/7/2021

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 7/7/2025

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2023: 72%

Having previously been a Governor at an Infant school, I was delighted to join the Governing Board at Spinfield School in 2021.   I am a serving Officer in the Royal Air Force and settled, with my young family, in Marlow during 2017.   With a background in operational command and leadership, strategy and planning, I look forward to supporting and championing the continued success of Spinfield School, allowing staff and students to achieve their full potential and goals. 

I am Chair of the Curriculum, Learning and Teaching Committee, and the lead Governor for Safeguarding. 

Name: Joshua Clarke

Position: Co-Opted Governor

Committees/Responsibilities: Chair of Curriculum Learning & Teaching, Chair Pay Review, Art/Design Technology, Literacy (English), Year 3

Date Appointed: 7/7/2021

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 7/7/2025

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2023: 100%

I joined the Governing Board of Spinfield School in 2021. I am currently Deputy Head of English at Furze Platt Senior School in Maidenhead, combining my time with the role of Chair of the Secondary Working Group for NATE (The National Association for the Teaching of English), and examiner for several national boards. I have an MA Ed. in Language and Literacy, as well as BA (hons.) Drama from the University of Exeter. I am the assigned governor for Literacy, Art & Design, and Year One. 

In my previous comprehensive school, in my home city of Plymouth, I led on the transition of primary school students to secondary school in English, focusing on how the Key Stage 3 curriculum might be designed to operate seamlessly from content taught in Years 5 and 6. At various times I also taught Drama and Music, as well as establishing a Classics department from scratch, and taking a number of students from beginners' level right through to A-Level in Latin. My experience as whole-school coordinator for Gifted, Talented and More Able students also generated a keen belief in how our encouragement of the students in our care should be limitless. 

It is a privilege to have joined such an excellent school and Governing Board, and I look forward to making a positive contribution. 

Name: Neil Martin

Position: Co-Opted Governor

Committees/Responsibilities: Resources, ICT Working Group, Equalities, Academy

Date Appointed: 7/12/2016

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 7/12/2024

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Works for RM Group covering RM education, TTS, Consortium and West Mercia supplies brands.

Meetings Attended 2023: 84%

I joined the Governing Board in 2016 and currently have the responsibilities of Equalities Governor and Chair of the ICT Working Group. I live in Marlow with my wife and two daughters, with both my daughters currently benefitting from an education at Spinfield School.

I am a Chartered Accountant and currently work for a company that provides resources and technology to the Education and Assessment sector.

Name: Yas Manns

Position: Co-Opted Governor

Committees/Responsibilities: Curriculum Learning & Teaching, Religious Education, Maths, Year 2

Date Appointed: 30/3/2022

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 30/3/2026

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2023: 72%

I completed my Masters from Loughborough University in 2007 in Electronics and Computer System Engineering and I worked as a hardware and software engineer for 4 years in Telecom before moving to management area at automotive industry. I now work in a private medical company which provide pathology and radiology databases to NHS. I have two children who both attend Spinfield and we have lived in Marlow since 2016.

I am very privileged that I have been accepted as a Governor at Spinfield school - since 2022 - as it is an excellent school and I have taken the responsibility and support of Early Years Foundation Stage and RE. Working with children is very rewarding and I am looking forward to watch them grow.

I have a strong background in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) which I would like to use and bring new ideas where possible to school and support them as much as I can within the community. 

Name: Tom Ronan

Position: Parent Governor

Committees/Responsibilities: Resources, Health & Safety

Date Appointed: 17/7/2020

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 7/7/2024

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2023: 84%

I joined as a parent governor in 2020. I have two children who attend Spinfield School and have lived in Marlow since 2007.  My areas of responsibility as a governor include Maths and French as well as being attached to a year group.  This role gives me a great opportunity to see student’s progress and development as they move through the school. 

I work for London Fire Brigade as a Station Officer at a busy Technical Rescue Centre. I have an MSc in Crisis and Disaster Management.  

Being a parent governor allows me the opportunity to support the school and teachers and provide promote the excellent work of the school in the community. My other interests include outdoor and endurance sports.

Name: Frank Schoofs

Position: Co-Opted Governor

Committees/Responsibilities: Resources, ICT Working Group, Sustainability, Science, Reception

Date Appointed: 21/76/2021

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 21/7/2025

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2023: 100%

Our family moved to Marlow in 2015 and our two children are now enjoying their time at Spinfield School.

I joined the board of Governors as a parent governor in 2021, sitting on the Resources Committee and the ICT Working Group, as well as having responsibility for Science and Sustainability. My professional experience as a chartered materials engineer spans academia and industry in Europe, USA and Asia. I have been involved in science outreach since 2016, as a trained STEM Ambassador.

Name: Eileen Shaw

Position: Co-Opted Governor

Committees/Responsibilities: Curriculum Learning & Teaching, Performance Management, Music

Date Appointed: 7/11/1996

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 7/11/2026

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2023: 100%

Appointed as a school governor at Spinfield in 1996 I continue to have the privilege of working with the members of the Governing Body team, Headteacher and school staff, serving on, and chairing, various sub-committees The best part of this role is actually when involved with the pupils – of differing age, ability, temperament, as they move up through the school and demonstrate their excitement as they master new learning and thrive on the social contacts.

I am passionate about schools offering a holistic educational experience to prepare every individual for their future lives – whatever their choice of direction – and ensuring support is available.    Relevant experience. Initially working in the Glass Industry following teacher training held posts at all levels – from class teacher, Head of Dept, Pastoral care (Trained Counsellor) and Deputy Head of large multi-cultural school. Awarded a number of secondments by Bucks LEA to enhance my understanding and share experience and run conferences and workshops for stakeholders, which included at County level serving as Development Officer for Education/Industry links and Country wide assisted in running the Teacher Placement Service, placing Teachers into industry and industrialists into schools.

Prior to retirement member of ‘Headteachers into Industry Scheme’ working for the Rail Industry. I have worked for the National Curriculum Council and other bodies with an educational focus including assisting schools achieve the Investors in People awards – Spinfield has this status.

Name: Richard McCandless

Position: Chair of Resources

Committees/Responsibilities: Academy Committee, Year 4 Class Governor, PE Governor

Date Appointed: 1/10/2023

Term of Office: 

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2023: 100%

Snapshot

Qualified banker. Career marketeer. Lifelong entrepreneur.  

World traveller. Ocean sailor. Keen photographer.

Career highlights

Group CEO, CFM - Europe’s pre-eminent financial marketing agency

Managing Director, Publicis Financial - Publicis Groupe

Regional Director, Asia Pacific - Foote, Cone & Belding

Joint owner, Elite Havens - building and representing the world’s finest private villas

Marketing Director, FundamentalVR - MedTech startup; surgical training in virtual reality

Founder, By Alastair Little - eponymous home delivery service; pioneering gourmet meals, cooked-to-order, delivered fresh

Business Consulting

• Brindisa - UK market leader, gourmet Spanish food : rebranding; e-commerce strategy

• FYI - app-based productivity tool for creatives, by will.i.am : project lead, ITV Studios (The Voice); Europe development strategy

• Founder and Chief Operating Office, Archie - FinTech Accelerator

Why I want to be a Spinfield School Governor

I am financially literate;  a strategic thinker; a team player, a motivator.  

Skills and characteristics that add value to the school, and contribute to its sound management.

Beyond that, I truly believe there is something magical about Spinfield; I was captivated from the very first moment. This deserves to be nurtured, to secure the long-term future of the school, and the exceptional outcomes it delivers to a community of wonderful kids.

Name:  Jane Marr

Position: Co-Opted Governor

Committees/Responsibilities:  Chair of Academy, Curriculum, Marketing, PSHE, International Schools

Date Appointed: 2/1/23

Term of Office: 4 years.  End date: 2/1/27

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2023: 63%

Born and bred in Scotland, I graduated in 1985, with a degree in Media Studies.
Initially I worked for Aegon, where I was Marketing Communications Manager, before moving to London in 1994 to be Head of Marketing for National Australia Group.
I then moved into advertising with Publicis Groupe, as a Board Account Director, and latterly Managing Director of a subsidiary company. My clients and experience were many and varied, ranging from launching the Oyster Card to working with Wickes Plc, Manpower Group, Lloyds Bank Plc and LVMH, to mention but a few.
In early 2000s I was fortunate to own and run my own companies. An advertising services company called Smart from 2005–2012. Then most recently, By Alastair Little, an online premium food delivery business until 2021.
I’ve just completed my Certificate in Coaching at Cambridge University, and I am a member of the Association for Coaching. Just 10 Coaching is my coaching business, where I work with senior business leaders and entrepreneurs to help achieve their goals.
In the charity sector, I have worked with Business In The Community as an advisor, and as a trustee for the Warrior Program, who dealt with homelessness in the Armed Forces. It was my great honour to be a member of the Berkshire Adoption Advisory Service.
I am thrilled to become a governor for Spinfield School and look forward to working with the senior management team of the school, and other governors.

Name: Ben Smith

Position: Staff Governor

Committees/Responsibilities: Resources, GDPR, Academy

Date Appointed: 23/11/2022

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 23/11/2026

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2023: 100%

I have been a teacher at Spinfield since 2016.  I have taught across both key stages and am currently the lead for PE and modern foreign languages.