Dr Dorian Lewis (Headmaster)             

I started teaching in 1994, shortly after obtaining a PhD in Chemistry from South ampton University.

I became the headmaster of Bournemouth School in September 2009.  The best part of my job is how every day is different, with each one having its own successes and challenges. 

Bournemouth School is very much like the grammar school I attended in Pontypool, South Wales.  I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have in later life thanks to the foundations laid at school.  I believe that education can change lives for the better – for both individuals and society as a whole.  I want as many as possible to benefit from being part of our community.  All three of my children have attended the school; and my wife has undertaken a number of roles over the years, most recently as an Exam Invigilator.  Bournemouth School has become an important part of all our lives.

On weekends and during the school holidays, I enjoy spending time with my family (including our unruly black labrador) walking in the Purbecks or further afield.  I am a keen DIYer and like nothing more than spending my spare time improving the house or garden.  (My wife despairs at the consequent state of my garage!)

Mr Mike Jones
Chair of Governors & Chair of Audit Committee

I attended Bournemouth School from 1979 to 1986, and this provided me with the opportunity to study and qualify as a Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) aged 22.  I have 27 years post-qualification experience, the bulk of it as Finance Director of a Group of Companies that includes property development, property investment, care homes, student accommodation and pubs.  My role covers HR, Marketing and IT as well as Finance, and I believe all of this experience and knowledge can help Bournemouth School to make its resources stretch as far as possible.

I have two sons who both attended Bournemouth School and are now studying at University (Law at Oxford and Economics and Politics at Nottingham).  The boys have very different personalities, and the atmosphere offered at Bournemouth School enabled them both to thrive academically, and pursue sport and music at a very high level.

In 2016 the School was looking for new governors and I felt it was only right that I should give something back.  I believe strongly that grammar schools offer the opportunity for gifted children to fulfil  their potential.  The Senior Management Team and teachers at Bournemouth School care deeply about all of their pupils and I am very pleased to support them in my role as a governor.

Mr Alan Turle

I was a student at Bournemouth School and I left the sixth form (6. 2 A Arts ) in 1969 with three A levels and subsequently qualified as a Solicitor in 1977 and I have been in private practice here in Bournemouth since then.

I am married to Patricia who was a student at the School "down the hill" and we have three children and five grandchildren. 

In 1985 I was firstly a Parent Governor when our three children attended at what is now Winton Primary School and for almost 14 years I was Chairman of Governors there.

Since joining the Governing body I have been glad to play my part on the Governing Body and until recently I was vice chair of the Resources committee.

Dr Jeffery Bray

After a career in business, managing stores and projects for Halfords, I became an academic at Bournemouth University.  During my time at the university I have managed undergraduate and post graduate courses, completed a research PhD and a PGCert in education.  I am currently Principal Academic in Consumer Behaviour.

I also serve as a Governor at a large local Primary School a role that I have had since 2014 and have previously served as a Trustee of Bournemouth Primary Multi-Academy Trust, roles which have provided a broad overview of school practice and effective governance.

I have twins currently attending the school who keep me busy, but whenever we can we really enjoy trips away in our camper van including our annual drive over the Alps to the Italian lakes.

Schooling plays a very important role in our children’s development, and beyond formal education it is important that Bournemouth School nurture happy, confident children who are keen and able to make the most positive impact on their environment.

Tony Spotswood

Chair of Resources Committee

Tony is presently the Chief Executive of the Affordable Housing and Healthcare Group, which is a registered provider of affordable homes.  He is also Chair of a Care Home Group.  Prior to this Tony worked in the NHS, he has spent over 22 years as  a Hospital CEO, and recently retired after 19 years as the CEO of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals.  During his career he led work within the NHS at a local, regional and national level.  He also chaired the Wessex National Institute for Health Research and Healthcare Education England’s Wessex and Thames Valley Assurance Board.  He is a trained coach and mentor and has a strong interest in organisational culture .  Tony is married with two children.  He enjoys skiing, road cycling and a wide range of sports.

Dr David Biggins

Having worked in the IT industry for 15 years I moved into consulting and ran my own business for 15 years as a project and change manager in the banking, defence, manufacturing and energy sectors.  I have an enduring interest in education.  When I finished my undergraduate studies with a degree in Russian Studies, I returned to taking A levels, passing 18 before studying for a second degree and an MBA.  My doctorate is in project management.  At Bournemouth University I teach business and project management and have a strong interest in the areas of curriculum design, learning analytics, learning gain, how students learn, student wellbeing and preparing students for their lives after university.

I moved from my home in Yorkshire to Dorset with my wife and two sons over 20 years ago.  Both of our sons were schooled in Dorset and now work in London.

In my spare time I research and write books on the Boer War and enjoy travel, history and family time.

I am very honoured to be able to serve as a Trustee at Bournemouth School and make a contribution to the future development of the School.

Miss Michèle Gosling 

I undertook my Teacher Training at Bournemouth School and was delighted to then be offered a job, initially part time and then full time in the Modern Languages Department.  I have been happily teaching here since 2013.

I have five children ranging from 27 years old down to 16 years old (3 boys and 2 girls).  I have worked in and around education since falling pregnant with my eldest son in 1990.  I began teaching dress-making and design to adults and worked with adults with learning difficulties teaching craft and cookery.   I followed this up with Montessori training and spent 10 years in Early Years Education.  As my children grew up and became less dependent I decided to take the plunge and become a full time teacher in mainstream school.

In my free time I enjoy playing the flute, walking - the remoter the better and am planning to undertake the West Highland Way – 94 Miles from Glasgow to Fort William.

Mrs Cara Lloyd-Hopkins

I am a member of the support staff team at Bournemouth School and became a Governor in October 2017.  My son has been in the school since year 7 and is now a student in the Sixth Form.

I have a degree from Bournemouth University in Retail Management and worked for BHS first in their graduate training scheme and then in a management role in Oxford Street, London, before moving back to Bournemouth.

As well as my role as support staff I also run my own business from home.  I have been running my own design company for over 15 years now which included a period when I successfully ran my own shop in Bournemouth.

With a combination of my business experience and creative background I look forward to contributing towards the development and direction of this outstanding school in these challenging times as a Governor.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family in the New Forest or visiting local beaches.

Mr Will Pyke

I am delighted to be a governor at Bournemouth School.  

After taking an MA at Oxford, I became a history teacher. I taught for forty years in several schools, including for twenty-five years at Bournemouth School, from which I retired as Deputy Head in 2014. Both my sons attended the school, having an experience which they enjoyed very much. As well as achieving excellent results and going on to fulfilling careers, they made close, life long friends. The school thus remains dear to my heart.

I am also Chair of Governors in a Dorset First School, a role I enjoy very much.

I also enjoy seeing my grandchildren, walking, travel, the natural world, reading and writing, and continuing historical research. My gardening also keeps me busy, but I do manage to fit in work as a volunteer barista at our church café.

Mrs Jennifer Roche

I joined Bournemouth School as a Teacher of Business & Economics in September 2019, becoming a Governor soon after.

I obtained a degree from Bournemouth University in Business Studies and worked for various companies in Sales & Marketing based roles, including Wave 105 and Zoopla.  However, after having my daughter I decided that I wanted to have a more fulfilling career and pursued my lifelong dream of becoming a teacher.

I believe my industry knowledge coupled with my passion for education will enable me to contribute well towards the development of this outstanding school.

Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my young daughter.  In addition, I am very active and am a keen netball player, playing 3 times a week in the Poole, Bournemouth and New Forest leagues.

Mrs Daphna Skotnicki

I am delighted to have been elected parent governor and I look forward to learning more about Bournemouth School and my new role. Having taught ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) at Bournemouth and Poole college for over 15 years, an educational environment is not new to me and I hope to be able to contribute to both the school and its student-body.

Having lived in Israel, Italy and Germany, I am particularly fascinated by intercultural communication and, following a Master’s degree in Transnational Studies, I designed a workshop aimed at improving communication and increasing empathy between people with a different first language and first culture.

I have always been active in my sons’ primary school, and as Chair of its PTA I helped build a significant group of parent volunteers.  Volunteering at the school also allowed me to meet lots of committed parents and friendly teachers, and also taught me how best to engage other parents in school life.

Prior to having kids I acted in the Arena Theatre group (we used to perform at the Regent’s Centre in Christchurch), and sang in a choir.  Other hobbies include growing vegetables (not always successfully!) and going for walks.

Ms Karen Turton

I enjoyed a terrific career in HR, working in the retail sector then starting my own HR consultancy, helping local businesses with recruitment, employee relations and training.  This involved dealing with people from all walks of life, often managing difficult situations in a sensitive and tactful way to reach a positive solution.

After 10 successful years, my business is taking a break and I am developing my upholstery hobby into a new career.

I’m a Cub Scout leader which is very rewarding and great fun.  I have a son at Bournemouth School and a daughter who went to Bournemouth School for Girls.  I am very active and am a regular runner - I’ve done over 100 Park runs and compete in half-marathon races.

Dr Maria Vassallo

I became a Governor at Bournemouth School in 2020, a year after my son started at the school.

I qualified as a medical doctor in 1991 and went on to specialise in psychiatry.  I have worked in the Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole area since 2006, which has given me a particular perspective upon this beautiful area.

I studied English Literature before turning to medicine.  I am still very fond of the theatre and of reading.  I enjoy walking in the New Forest and during the lockdown in 2020, I started exploring the area by bike.

I am most grateful myself for the opportunities opened up by a good education and I think this is enormously important for our young people.  It is a privilege to be involved with the school.

I am someone who is naturally fairly optimistic and idealistic.  I am interested in understanding different viewpoints (and am very open to consider creative approaches and new ideas).