Governance

Local Governing Board

Eleanor Russell

Eleanor is an experienced education professional with over 25 years of teaching experience across both state and independent sectors. She has specialised in special educational needs and neurodiversity. Eleanor previously served as a SENCO in an Oxfordshire secondary school for eight years and brings a strong understanding of inclusive practice, assessment, and pupil support. She holds Qualified Teacher Status, a PGCert in Literacy Difficulties, and an MSc in Psychology, and remains committed to promoting high-quality SEND provision. As SEND Link Governor, Eleanor is committed to ensuring that all pupils are supported to achieve their full potential and that SEND practice is effective, inclusive and aligned with statutory guidance.

Johannes Radvan

Johannes’s parents escaped from East Germany and he came to the UK as a child from west Africa. He worked as a hospital Doctor for many years and is now part of the Clergy team at St Clements Church. Johannes is passionate about every young person fulfilling their full potential and flourishing together, whatever their background or culture, to build a better future for this country. Johannes loves mountain biking, though his bike still sometimes tries to teach him to fly.

Dionne Mutambisi

Dionne is an accountant with over 15 years of professional experience and the founder of Linear Accounting LLP. As a parent governor, she is passionate about supporting St. Clements and Bethany schools in fostering compassion, hope, and resilience. Dionne is dedicated to helping create a nurturing environment where every child can thrive and reach their full potential. Fun fact: Dionne loves music but can not sing, so she dances instead and enjoys every beat.

Debi Matthews - Chair of Governors

Debi has been a local governor since 2020, and has three teenagers, all of whom went to St Clements and Bethany, so she's been around the schools for over 10 years! She moved to Bournemouth in 2014 with her husband who is a local vicar, and before having kids she was a secondary Geography teacher.

Ron Jenkinson

Ron recently retired after 23 years of headship and Executive Headship across 4 Dorset Middle schools. He has also been a Trustee of a rapidly growing Diocesan MAT, a Governor and a School Improvement Consultant for Dorset CC. He currently spends a significant part of his week volunteering as the Love Your Neighbour School and Community Link at Lovechurch St Clements/St Swithuns. He is also a Leadership Coach and a coach for the Growing Faith Foundation for the Church of England.

Tom Davis

Bio to follow

We are extremely proud of our Governing Body and appreciate the support they give to the school. Our Governing Body provides challenge through its close monitoring of standards and involvement in the daily running of our schools. The Governors all have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and are an asset to our schools.

Governors Intent Statement

As Governors we endorse the Schools` vision and will do everything we can to ensure that ALL of our pupils leave us ready to take the next step in their education.

They will be ready academically, socially and spiritually having realised their full potential regardless of the challenges they face. As a team of Staff, Parents and Governors we will do this by helping our children develop the school values: Hope, Courage, Compassion. We will work closely with the Leaders of our schools providing support and constructive challenge.

As a Church School we confidently take our values from our Christian Belief.

Coastal Learning Partnership Trustees
Please see for more information on our Trustees and Members.

Governing Body 2024-2025

	Governor	Type of Governor	Office ends	Attendance	Business and Financial Interests	Involvement with other Educational Establishments
Chair	Mrs Debi Matthews	Foundation Governor	31 July 2026	All	None	None
Vice-Chair	Mr Ronald Jenkinson	Foundation Governor Safeguarding Governor	24 July 2027	All	None	None
	Mr Tom Davis	Foundation Governor	6 May 2027	Apologies 20/5/2025	None	None
HT	Mr Lawrence Woodward	Ex-Officio Headteacher	n/a	All	None	None
	Revd Dr Johannes Radvan	Ex-officio	- by virtue of office as curate at St Clements Church - 31 July 2026	All	None	None
	Mr. Chipo Muwowo	Foundation Governor	16 Sept 2029		None
	Ms. Eleanor Russell	Foundation Governor	21 May 2029	All	None
	Mrs Dionne Motambisi	Parent Governor	18 Oct 2029	All	None	None
	Mr Joe Nolan	Foundation Governor	16 Dec 2029		None

Governing Body Meeting Dates 2025-2026

Autumn Term

Local Governing Body 18:00 Tuesday 21 October 2025
Local Governing Body 18:00 Tuesday 16 December 2025

Spring Term

Local Governing Body 18:00 Tuesday 10 February 2026
Local Governing Body 18:00 Tuesday 17 March 2026

Summer Term

Local Governing Body 18:00 Tuesday 12 May 2026
Local Governing Body 18:00 Tuesday 14 July 2026

Most Governing Body meetings are currently online

Contacting the Governing Body - email: bethany@coastalpartnership.co.uk

Bethany Church of England Junior School