Here at Swanbourne, we welcome children into a close-knit boarding community with specialist staff who work together, and with parents, to create a nurturing and family-led boarding environment.
Mrs Joann Talkington is Swanbourne’s Head of Boarding and leads an exceptional and dedicated team of boarding tutors and support staff. Mrs Talkington (affectionately known as Mrs T) is considered a second Mum by our boarders and has many years’ experience as a House Parent, tending to the educational and pastoral needs of children. She is also a qualified nurse and first aid trainer and practitioner.
Mr T is also an active member of the boarding team, taking charge of organising the many varied activities and trips on offer. The Talkingtons have two children: Holly (21), who is reading Paramedic Science at University, and Trinity (16,) currently studying for her GCSEs. They are joined in the boarding house by Jax, the very friendly and loveable resident boarding dog.
“Being part of the boarding family is a very unique experience. The focus is on creating a warm, fun and collaborative boarding house that builds friendships, community and cultural understanding.” Mrs J Talkington, Head of Boarding
Assistant Head of Boarding
Mr A Kirk
Mr Andrew Kirk is also Swanbourne’s Head of Outdoor Learning and Enrichment and our very own Bear Grylls. He loves leading the boarders’ outdoor clubs and activities, coaching the children on leadership, team building and survival skills. When not in the boarding house, Mr Kirk can be found in the Outdoor Learning Classroom planning trips to explore the jungles of Borneo or mapping out Alpine adventures for the annual Swanbourne family ski trip.
Andrew is married to Mrs Liz Kirk, Form Teacher in the 5s. They have two children, Iona and Gus, who both attend Swanbourne House School.
Resident Boarding Tutor
Mr E Selby-Lowndes
Mr Ed Selby-Lowndes is also a sports coach, qualified teaching assistant, mental health first aider and a member of our safeguarding team. A mad-keen sportsman, he plays Rugby for Buckingham and coaches both boys’ and girls’ rugby here at Swanbourne. In the Summer, Mr Selby-Lowndes plays cricket for charitable teams as well as coaching the girls’ and boys’ teams at Swanbourne. He co-ordinates our clay pigeon shooting and recently took a group of Swanbourne pupils to the IAPS Clay Shooting Championships which resulted in our very own U12 national champion.
Mr Selby-Lowndes has experience of boarding himself as a pupil at Stowe. His father attended Swanbourne as a full boarder in the very same boarding house in which Mr Selby-Lowndes now lives and works.
Boarding Tutors: Mrs R Bailey, Mr D Cheesewright, Mr K Good, Ms I Swain, Miss R-J Walters, Mr J Wright.