Governing Body Who's Who

I am a retired professional strategic, marketing, communications and business development director with extensive experience and achievements in all sectors. I have instigated change programmes and established new strategies, brands, processes, and teams which delivered customer focus, and supported business strategy, funding streams and growth.

I worked for many years in the private sector in international marketing, have extensive experience in education- in a variety of Marketing, Student Recruitment and Strategy Director roles and many voluntary roles over the years as non-executive director and Trustee. My work has also spanned public sector organisations and third sector charities.

I worked in Universities, Colleges of FE and have been a Chair and Governor on schools ranging from infants to secondary with sixth form, since 2009. I serve on 4 governing boards* in Hampshire since moving here from Northamptonshire in 2019 to be closer to grandchildren.

*These include a primary academy in United Learning (where I am deputy Chair,) a sixth Form College and Chair of trustees for a charity Baby Bank.

I am delighted to join Cornerstone Academy and bring my secondary and primary school and United Learning experiences and knowledge to support the staff, governors, pupils and wider community.

Denise is a loyal Hamworthy resident with a secretarial background who has always had a special place in her heart for Herbert Carter School (as it was known many years ago!).  Not only did she attend there but met her husband of 45yrs there and family links continue up to the current day.  She strongly feels that the school is an essential part of the community that provides an excellent basis for students to become confident young people who not only gain skills necessary to develop whatever career they wish to follow but also find their feet in the wider world beyond Hamworthy!  Denise feels this ethos is now reflected in the school name change to The Cornerstone Academy and is confident that students of all abilities will achieve their goals.  This is definitely a school that flourishes on supporting everyone. Denise has welcomed the opportunity to be the Governor linked to Safeguarding and Health & Safety.

Marcus spent most of his formative years growing up in Corby, Northamptonshire where he enjoyed a comprehensive school education in its early formative years.  After moving to Luton where he did his A levels, he subsequently graduated in Social Sciences from the University of Salford.  After graduating, he began a 40-year long career in IT, progressing through the ranks and for 20 years held leadership positions, primarily in the financial sector working for blue chip companies with global remits.

Marcus moved to Poole in 2018 to enjoy a better quality of life.  Wanting to add value to the community, he became a governor at Cornerstone in January 2022.  He's very proud of and passionate about the school, its staff and students and the important role that the school provides in and to the community.  While all but retired, Marcus chairs industry conferences internationally and is a guest lecturer at the University of Portsmouth.  In his remaining spare time, Marcus also volunteers for Julia's House, the local children's hospice, and the Swanage Railway.

I am Vice Principal at The Cornerstone Academy and have worked here for the last 10 years. I love working in this school and community and I am passionate about young people getting the best education. I lead on Teaching and Learning, Curriculum and Staff training as well as teaching Religious Education. I line manage the Humanities team and work closely with new staff. I am proud to represent the staff body and sit on the Governing body as their Staff Governor. My favourite part of my job is getting in to lessons and chatting with students about their experiences of school and what they are currently learning about.