The purpose of a governing body is to help provide the best possible education for pupils. Governors meet regularly with the Head teacher and staff to decide the school’s aims and policies, and to oversee the efficient running of the school.

The governors work in partnership with the school and local authority.

The governing body has the following core strategic functions:

Establishing the strategic direction, by:

• setting the vision, values, and objectives for the school
• agreeing the school improvement strategy with priorities and targets
• meeting statutory duties.

Ensuring accountability, by:

• appointing the headteacher
• monitoring progress towards targets
• performance managing the headteacher
• engaging with stakeholders
• contributing to school self-evaluation.

Ensuring financial probity, by:

• setting the budget
• monitoring spending against the budget
• ensuring value for money is obtained
• ensuring risks to the organisation are managed.

Meetings for academic year 2025-2026

Autumn Term:

Curriculum Committee: Tuesday 23 September 2025

Resources Committee: Tuesday 21 October 2025

Full Governors: Tuesday 18 November 2025

SEC: Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Spring Term:

Full Governors (Resources): Tuesday 27 January 2026

Full Governors (Curriculum): Tuesday 10 March 2026

SEC: TBC

Summer Term:

Full Governors (Resources): Tuesday 19 May 2026

Full Governors (Curriculum): Tuesday 7 July 2026

SEC: TBC

Meet the Governors

Governors are volunteers and come from a range of backgrounds, bringing varied knowledge, skills and experience to the role.

St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Governing Body (as at 10/11/25)

Mr. Les Rippon (Foundation) – Joined the Governing Body in September 2022

Chair of the Governing Body, Child Protection and Looked After Governor

Mrs. Angela Molyneux (Foundation) – Re-joined the Governing Body in November 2025

Vice Chair of Governing Body, SEN Governor 

Deacon Peter Mawtus (Foundation) – Re-joined the Governing Body in November 2024

RE Link Governor

Mrs. Bernadette Halsall (Foundation) – Re-joined the Governing Body in November 2024

Father G Timney (Foundation) – Joined the Governing Body in February 2025

Mr Richard Ainsworth (Foundation) – Joined the Governing Body in November 2025

Mrs Frances Hesketh (Foundation) – Joined the Governing Body in November 2025

Mrs Dawn McGrath (Staff) – Joined the Governing Body May 2004

Mrs Joanne Preston (staff) - Joined 4 December 2023

Ms. Naomi Savoury (Clerk to Governors) – Joined March 2023

Committees:

Standards and Effectiveness Committee Membership:

Mr L. Rippon (Chair), Mrs. A. Molyneux, Deacon Peter Mawtus, Mrs J Preston, Mr M Purcell (LCC School Advisor)

Statements of business interests and salary declaration.

At the start of each school year, members of the Governing Body sign a declaration of business interests to avoid any future conflict of interest. 

The Governing Body declare that no employees receive a salary exceeding £100k.