Governors

ST MARY’S GOVERNING BODY  

 

In accordance with the Government’s requirement for all governing bodies, the 3 core strategic functions of St Mary’s RC Primary School Governing Body are: 

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos, values and strategic direction; 
  • Holding the Head teacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; 
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.   Governance Structure and Meetings The Governing Body of St Mary’s RC Primary School Primary School was re-constituted again in 2017-18 year. We are now made up of: 

    1 Staff Governor 

    Headteacher Governor 

    2 Elected Parent Governors 

    1 Local Authority Governor 

    7 Foundation governors

    Each governor has a specific role within the work of the school. The Governing Body works as a team and acts with integrity, objectivity and honesty, in the best interests of the children in our school.  The Headteacher and the Senior Leadership Team run the school on a day to day basis, but the governors provide support, assistance and challenge, acting as a “critical friend” to ensure that the school continues to maintain and improve high standards in everything it does

    As a Catholic school, the governors have an overriding responsibility to remain focused on the mission of the school to provide the best possible Catholic education for every pupil.

     MEETINGS 

    The Full Governing Body meets three times in the year.   Our committee structure is as follows:

  • Quality of curriculum Education Commitee. This meets at least termly, sometimes more often if required.  We have used these meetings to monitor progress of targets in the school improvement plan and challenge and hold senior leaders to account on all aspects of the work of the school. 
  • Health & Safety , Buildings & Finance

Chair: Mr J McMahon

Vice Chair: Mrs M Misell

Chair of H&S Buildings and Finance: Mrs M Misell

Chair of Q of E commitee : Miss S Davies

MEET THE GOVERNORS

 

Amy Crighton

I joined the board of Governors as a Foundation Governor in the summer of 2022. As well as being a parishioner of the Parish of St Maries, I am also a former pupil of St Mary’s Haslingden, as well as a parent of two KS1 children who attend St Mary’s Haslingden, I therefore have a longstanding connection and genuine passion for the continued success of St Mary’s School.

I grew up in Haslingden and moved back in 2014 after moving to Manchester to do my law degree and subsequently my formal training as a solicitor.

My career background is a Corporate Recovery Solicitor, and I am currently the Head of Legal for a boutique firm of Insolvency Practitioners in Manchester City Centre.

I sit on the Curriculum Committee and believe that I can bring value to this Committee from both my personal position as a St Mary’s Parent, and my professional experience.

In my free time, I love spending time with my family and friends and also travelling.

I am really looking forward to my journey as a St Mary’s Governor.

Greg Ball

I joined the governing body of St Mary’s in October 2023 as a Parent Governor. I have a child who is in KS2 at St Mary’s and have enjoyed watching how the school has supported them and their peers to achieve their very best academically and as kind and caring citizens.

I grew up near Wolverhampton, in the West Midlands, but moved up to the Northwest when I attended university in Liverpool to study Law. I enjoyed life in the Northwest and have lived here ever since. I moved to Haslingden in 2018 and love it!

I am the Head Teacher of a Primary School in Oldham and think I have the best job in the world. I believe that my experience helps to support the work of St Mary’s and allows me to ask good questions. I am passionate about education and ensuring that all children achieve their potential and have the very best primary school experience.

In my free time, I love watching all sports, listening to music and reading autobiographies of people who inspire me. I also love any opportunity to travel and visit new and exciting places around the world.

I look forward to my journey as a governor at St Mary’s and can’t wait to celebrate all your successes in the years to come.

Sian Davies

I joined the governing body of St Mary’s in September 2018 as a Foundation Governor. By background I am a recently retired Speech & Language Therapist and I have  managed speech & language therapy, stroke therapy & neurorehabilitation therapy teams at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust. I also spent many years as a clinical lecturer at The University of Manchester.

I am on the Curriculum, Standards & Effectiveness Committee and am the nominated governor for SEND, Literacy and Religion. I hope I am able to use my clinical background and experience in leading teams, education & governance, as well as the challenges of managing NHS budgets, to this role.

I grew up in Sidcup, Kent, and moved to Helmshore after graduation. My interests are dancing and theatre and I regularly travel to Lourdes as part of a pilgrimage group. As a parishioner of St Marie’s I am looking forward to really growing our school-parish links and to spending more time in school with the staff and children and being part of the family of St Mary’s.

James McMahon

Maureen Misell

I first became a Parent Governor over 20 years ago while my three children were attending St Mary’s.  I am now a Foundation Governor on the Resources Committee, Chair of the Curriculum Standards & Effectiveness Committee & Vice Chair of the Governing Body.

As a Governor at St Mary’s, it is a privilege to work with, support & to challenge such a dedicated team of staff who provide a safe & happy school where all our children are valued & encouraged to develop to their full potential.

I moved from Manchester to Rossendale in 1996 and I am currently the Finance Director of a small building company based in Haslingden and as retirement gets closer I hope to spend more time gardening, dog walking & reading while holidaying anywhere that’s warmer than the UK.

John O.Reilly

I was born in Bluebell, Inchicore, Dublin and moved to England in 1969. I started work in a textile mill in Bamber Bridge, then went onto work at British Aerospace before joining the Lancashire Constabulary in 1981.

I had a 30 year career within the Police and served most of my time in East Lancashire. I had a couple of years at HQ in research and development, training officers to become trainers, R & D into new legislation and as a self-defence instructor.

A full, varied and interesting 30 year Career!

I retired in the rank of Inspector and Chairman of the Lancashire Police Federation.

Since retirement, I have been involved in caravan repair and maintenance, painting and decorating and have become a grandad.

Joining the board of governors in December 2022 as a Local authority governor, I hope to be able to contribute to the future of our school, its’ staff and especially the children.

Kathryn Taylor

I joined the board of governors as a parent governor in October 2023. 

I am a former Pupil of St Mary’s having lived in Haslingden my whole life, and my twins currently attend in KS1.

 

I am a play therapist and have worked with children and families for over 25 years including 16 years in the NHS, where I worked as a Mental Health Practitioner for Children’s psychological services and worked for many years as an Infant Mental Health practitioner.  I have experience and knowledge in safeguarding children.

Since leaving the NHS I have set up an emotional well-being service for children and families. I am incredibly passionate about empowering children to be the absolute best version of themselves and supporting them to overcome adversities. 

 

In my spare time I enjoy family time, especially outdoors in nature and going to the theatre.

 

I feel it is a privilege to be able to support this truly incredible school which provides such a happy, nurturing and supportive environment for every child, staff member, parents and visitors alike.

Every single member of staff goes above and beyond to create such an enriched learning experience and fabulous opportunities for the children of St Mary’s.

I look forward to my role as a governor and sharing the continued success of St Mary’s for many years to come.

Gemma Vipham

I joined the governors in autumn 2023 as a foundation governor and I am also a proud parent of a child in KS1.

I have been an active member of St Peter’s church, Newchurch, since my childhood. I currently help run the children’s liturgy every Sunday. I have also been a member of the social committee for many years, organising and running the events and fundraising for the parish, including the monthly coffee mornings, quiz nights and fayres. We have also been working on the parish-school links and this is something I am particularly interested in strengthening at St Mary’s.

I have been a local GP for the past 9 years and as such am passionate about supporting the school in their aim to deliver high quality education in a caring, nurturing and safe environment with child and staff wellbeing prioritised. Through my work I have knowledge and experience in SEN and safeguarding, and an understanding of how adaptable you need to be working in the public sector responding at pace to changes in guidelines and policies.

I love being a mum and my spare time is filled with family fun; music, theatre, fresh air and wellbeing activities!

Matt Wiseman

I have served on the governing board at St. Mary’s since 2010. I am a registered Social Worker and work for the Adults Learning Disability Team at Blackburn with Darwen Council. I also have many years’ experience working for community organisations providing information, advice, and guidance services.

I grew up on the outskirts of Norwich and moved to Rossendale in 2004. I am married to Mrs Wiseman who is a HLTA at St. Mary’s in Key Stage 2. Our two children have both attended St. Mary’s School.

 

 

REGISTER OF BUSINESS INTERESTS
GOVERNOR STRATEGIC VISION