Governors
We, the School Governors are responsible for ensuring that the school runs both smoothly and continues to improve and hold the Headteacher accountable for any decisions that have been made.
We are accountable to the LA and the Diocese and demand that St Mary’s is continuously working to at least a good standard.
The vision of the Governors is for the school to offer an outstanding education to all of its pupils. The School Governors have the skills set to achieve this vision.
School Governors commit to giving time and energy to the role. Each Governor contributes to the work of the Governing board and shares the load. Not only do governors attend regular meetings, read papers, speak to staff, parents (through Parent Voice) and children (through Pupil Voice), they see the school in action through observing lessons and lesson plans.
We also undertake professional training and keep up to date with relevant information to help guide the school strategically which enables us to focus on the key areas that will impact the school.
Our Objectives
As school governing board, we work closely with the Head teacher and the staff subject leaders with a view to promoting high standards of education.
We fulfil our objectives by establishing the strategic framework by:
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
- Operate in such a way that statutory details are met and priorities are approved.
- Provide challenges to the Headteacher to account for improving the quality of teaching, educational performance and pupils’ behaviour and safety.
- Support and strengthen school leadership.
- Contribute to the school’s self-evaluation and understanding its strengths and weaknesses.
- Engage with key stakeholders.
- Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure it’s money well spent.
- Use pupil premium and other resources to overcome barriers to learning, including reading, writing and numeracy.
Our Governing board has a mix of new and experienced members representing different views. Each Governor is elected to run a four year term of office although it is only the Parent Governors who stands to be elected or re-elected.
There are eleven Governors who sit across two committees – Curriculum and then Finance, Staffing and Premises Committee. Additionally we have a Strategy Committee comprising of the Committee chairs and Headteacher.
Pecuniary Interests
The purpose of declaring such interests is to enable the governing board to put controls in place to ensure there is no conflict between a governor or staff member’s private interest and the school’s interests.
From 1 September 2015, governing bodies are under a duty to publish their register of interests on the school’s website.
Pecuniary Interest 2024 – Current
There is 1 staff or governor pecuniary interest declared.
Additional Governance 2024 – Current
There are no additional governance governors on our governing board.
Our Governing Board
Mrs Denise Keen
Chair of Governors, Foundation Governor and Safeguarding (Curriculum Committee)
Appointed by the diocese 02.12.21 – 02.12.25
I first joined St Mary’s in 2000, working firstly as a Teaching Assistant and then a HLTA, for around 12 years; returning later to teach RE for 5 years. I have also held various roles on the FOSMS committee and have been a member of the governing board since 2012, taking particular responsibility for curriculum and health & safety. I am an authorised lay minister for the Loggerheads Benefice of Churches, and I lead the Children’s Church Club and the monthly family services in which the children take part; which we hope helps to strengthen the important links between St Mary’s Church and St Mary’s School. I feel privileged to serve as a foundation governor at St Mary’s, and believe that its Christian values help to encourage a nurturing school community in which all pupils can thrive and families feel supported.
Dr Ivan Grove
Foundation Governor (Chair of Curriculum Committee)
Appointed by the diocese 19.05.22 – 19.05.26
I joined St Marys Governing board in May 2020 as a parent governor, my youngest son, and my daughter both attending St Marys for their primary education. Having been actively involved with the Friends of St Marys School (FOSMS), helping to raise funds for additional school facilities, it was probably a natural step to become a governor. What can I bring to the role of governor? On a personal note, I have a love of nature and a deep belief in the power of education and knowledge to provide opportunity and fulfilment. My own experience in education arises from 21 years teaching at Harper Adams University where I became a Principal lecturer and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, now Advance HE. My subject areas covered the crop sciences, with specialisms in precision farming, soil & water management, and plant parasitic nematodes, all of which give me a solid science, mathematical and writing background. In addition to teaching, I have been actively involved with agricultural research for 30 years, including my own PhD, supervision of 18 PhD students to successful completion and the production of 38 peer reviewed publications, demonstrating academic understanding and rigour. Although my own experience is not primary school level, my teaching utilised the principles of Kolb’s experiential learning theory and learning styles, which provide a solid background to teaching and learning. Similarly, the rigours of delivering to a specific curriculum, assessing, monitoring progress, and working to changing guidelines, is all part of HE teaching. Although my teaching experience is useful, I hope also to engender a commitment within governors to utilise environmental strategies, such as the use of renewable resources, to foster understanding and good practices within our children. Consequently, I hope that my academic and life experience can support the school and the Head Teacher in providing robust education for our children, within a safe, loving, and fun environment. “Sapere aude” (Dare to know; Dare to know things).
Mr Matthew Griffin
Foundation Governor (Finance Committee and Health and Safety link governor)
Appointed by the diocese 14.11.22 – 14.11.26
I am a representative of the congregation of St Mary’s church and serve as a foundation governor. I support the school’s values and its aims to be an inclusive school based on a Christian ethos. As a parent of former pupils at the school, I consider it important that the school provides a safe and encouraging learning environment and that children are brought together in their school community. My experience is that the school can provide special memories and a confidence that helps a young person growing into teenage years and beyond. Having joined the Governing Board in 2018, I now appreciate the role of the governors and its importance in supporting the professionals providing our children’s education. There is always much to learn whether a pupil or a governor.
Mrs Ruth Hawkins
Parent Governor, SEND/PP and CLA (Curriculum Committee)
Nominated by parents and appointed by the school 26.04.22 – 26.04.26
I joined the board of governors in May 2022 as a parent governor and I am on the curriculum committee. I have two children at St Mary’s; my eldest started in 2020 and my youngest joined in January of 2022 when the new nursery provision started. I graduated from the University of Chester with a BSc in Biology and then completed a PGCE in secondary education at Keele University. I have been a secondary school science teacher for over 10 years. During my career I have gained experience in a variety of different roles, supporting students to achieve their potential. I hope to bring the skills and knowledge that I have gained in my career to my role as a parent governor.
Mrs Sue Fox
Foundation Governor (Finance Committee)
Appointed by the Diocese 11.03.25 – 11.03.29
Mrs Meg Scoble
Foundation Governor
Appointed by the diocese 13.03.24 – 12.03.28
I am a representative of the congregation of St Mary’s church and serve as a foundation governor. I support the school’s values and its aims to be an inclusive school, based on a Christian ethos. My personal faith underpins all that I do. In my role as a St Mary’s volunteer, I play the piano for hymn practise, to prepare the children to sing in church services, where I also play the organ. I hear children read each week to support the teaching staff in the teaching of reading. I very much enjoy both roles. I have been retired for 10 years from nursing in the community and worked for Marie Curie as a registered nurse and an ambassador. My role enabled me to give talks to raise funds for the charity to continue the work that was valued by so many and it was a privilege to serve the community in this way.
Mrs Clare Hill
Headteacher Governor (All committees)
04.04.18 – ongoing