Governors (ID 1100)

• Pete Quaite
  Chair of Governors & Parent Governor
  Pete Quaite

  I am a Parent Governor and father of two daughters, the youngest of which has attended Dove House since 2022. In my day job I am a chartered civil engineer and infrastructure specialist in the British Army where I have served since 1994. This time has included many postings in UK and overseas with my family and a number of operational tours of duty in the Balkans and Middle East. I currently work in the Basing & Infrastructure Directorate in Army Headquarters in Andover. I have previously been a Governor at my daughters’ infant school in Nottingham and subsequently Chair of Governors at the UK Forces Primary School in Naples.

  My background and previous school governing experience means I bring many skills to the role of Governor. These include strategic planning, budgeting, and estate management as well as leadership, team building and mentoring.

  I feel privileged to be a member of the Academy Committee and I look forward to contributing to the development of Dove House, its staff, and its pupils to being the best they can be.

  I live in Oakley with my wife and two daughters where we love to walk, cycle, and explore the British countryside.

• Grenville Chaganis
  Co-Opted Governor
  Grenville Chaganis

  I have been an Army Officer serving in the Royal Gurkha Rifles since 2000. Supporting soldiers in their personal development, training, education, and welfare have all been constant threads to my career and something I really enjoy. I have also been heavily involved in operational planning and delivery, strategy development and organisational management at all levels in the Army. Most recently I was lucky enough to command Southampton Officer Training Corps, which provides training and opportunities for university students in the south of England.

  I love the outdoors, including mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, and skiing. I have planned and led several Army expeditions and I leave the Army imminently to follow a dream of helping people take part in outdoor adventures. I live in Fleet, and I am married with 2 young children and 2 old dogs.

• Peter Mitchener
  Co-Opted Governor
  Peter Mitchener

  I am retired, and since 2009 I have been involved in school governance in several schools in Hampshire. Prior to retirement I was a director and manager of companies in the food industry, being very active in problem solving and integrating the results of mergers and acquisitions.

  I am married with two daughters and three grandchildren.

  Apart from my family I am at present researching material before writing the biographies of two historical gentlemen. One a pirate, explorer, diplomat, and character in a Disney film. The other and ex Able Seaman in the Royal Navy who was rescued by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, before eventually becoming and Admiral and senior intelligence chief.

  During my time as a school governor, I know that I have played a part in improving children’s education and supported school staff to make a difference, while learning a lot myself.

• Victoria Burden
  Parent Governor
  Victoria Burden

  I am a parent trustee and mother of a daughter and son; my son has attended Dove House since 2022 I work part time as the Programme Leader for HNC Level 4 and HND Level 5 in Graphic Design at the University Centre Newbury (UCN). I have had the pleasure of teaching and supporting students to pursue careers in the Creative Industries and realise their career aspirations, this has included students who required SEND support and have progressed onto the college from Dove House Academy. I am a creative, with skills in Graphic Design, Illustration, Fine Art, Photography as well as digital specialist software knowledge. I continue to produce work for clients alongside teaching and exhibit work in local exhibitions.

  Prior to moving into teaching, I worked as a Graphic Designer, Illustrator and Photographer in various companies from Design Agencies to corporate companies including AWE and the NHS as a Medical Illustrator. I am huge champion for the arts and creative industries, whether it is to form art communities through Photography or to look encompass digital technologies and embed them into a curriculum.

  I feel privileged that I have been accepted to become a Governor on the Academy Committee for Dove House. I consider myself to be determined, enthusiastic and committed and I am to look forward to playing a part in the continued development of the school and working towards shared goals and objectives.

• Dave Dupont
  Interim Principal
  Dave Dupont

  I have worked in education for nearly 30 years and in Special Education for the last 12 years. I started teaching secondary science, eventually running a department before working for the local authority as a consultant/advisor before moving to Dove House.

  I was born in Portsmouth and have always lived and worked in Hampshire moving to North Hampshire 6 years ago having commuted from the south of the county.

  I am a keen motorcyclist and restorer and own and ride three vintage motorcycles, often taking them to shows. I also enjoy reading a wide range of book genre.

  I am also a qualified pyrotechnician and have worked part time/casually in the fireworks industry as a display firer for the last 35 years.

  For the last 12 years I have been fully invested in Dove House. It is a very special place that really makes a difference to the students. It is great to see them grow and develop the skills that will support them going forward.