Membership

Elaine lives in Dunswell and first joined the governing body in 2012 as a Community Governor.
Education has always been her passion and she taught at Longcroft School in Beverley for 30 years. Her career then took a new path when she became an Education Coordinator for the Children and Young People’s Service in Hull. She worked with and supported Looked after Children and Children in Need for 6 years.
She now works for North Lincolnshire in a local primary school teaching P.E. to Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 as well as supporting vulnerable children with behavioural problems.
She is pleased to see Dunswell Academy thriving and at the heart of the community.

Alison attended Hull University for four years where she completed a B.A Hons in Educational Studies with Urban Learning and then her Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Alison began her teaching career at Dunswell on 2010 as a Newly Qualified Teacher working with year 5 and 6. Throughout her time at Dunswell, Alison has seen the school saved from closure and change to an academy. Alison holds various roles within the school including Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and educational visits coordinator.  In September 2018, Alison became the Head of School.

Whilst working at Dunswell, Alison has continued to study for her Masters in Education and in January 2019 completed this qualification.

I was born in Glasgow, moving to York in 1972 and started supporting Leeds United, who at that time were the dominant football team in English football. I studied for my degree at Wimbledon School of Art in London and began my teaching career in East London where I taught art and English for three years.

I wanted to move North to be closer to my family. In 1993, I secured a position in Hull teaching art and English at David Lister School. My intention was to stay in Hull for a couple of years and move back to York. I remember one of my colleagues at David Lister saying, ‘You’ll be here longer than a few years lad!’.

I currently hold the position of Headteacher at Cottingham High School and Sixth Form College and work within The Consortium Academy Trust and pleased to say the move back to York never materialised. I love being part of the community and I am proud to have served the young people in and around Hull and the East Riding since 1993, which is one of the reasons I volunteered to be a Governor at Dunswell Academy.

I am married with three children, they all keep me grounded and focused on what is important in life. I can safely say that teaching and meeting so many brilliant young people over the years has been hugely satisfying. Teaching is the best profession in the world.

I’m new to being a Parent Governor and volunteered shortly after my daughter joined the school in year 3 in 2022. My motivation was to help me quickly learn more about the school, and to hopefully enable me to be able to contribute positively to the school community. I grew up in Beverley, attended University in Lincoln and now live in Hull. Aside from being a Mum and parent governor, I work at a Fostercare Agency, providing support to social workers, family support workers and foster carers, also producing reports for Ofsted and helping to ensure that we are inspection ready. I enjoy helping to plan and arrange fun activities and events for our fostering families and young people, and celebrating their achievements. I regularly take part in training associated with supporting and safeguarding children and understanding behaviour and attachment.

I have worked at Dunswell Academy since 2019 starting in a 1:1 Teaching Assistant support role. I am currently a general Teaching Assistant working in Key Stage 2 supporting years 5 and 6.

I have recently qualified as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) which runs alongside my role as wellbeing ambassador. I am passionate about children’s mental health and wellbeing and how we can all work together to provide the right, supportive environment in which all children and adults reach their full potential.