St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Governance

Local and CAST Governance

Local Governance - The Local Governing Board

The Local Governing Board comprises three Foundation Governors appointed by the Bishop of Plymouth Diocese, two Parent Governors who are elected by the parents of the school, two Co-opted Governors, one Staff Governor who was elected by the staff of the school and the Headteacher.

Parent Governors are elected every four years or on the resignation of a Parent Governor (whichever is earlier). All parents of the school are eligible to be a Parent Governor and will be invited to nominate themselves for such a role should a vacancy arise.

The Local Governing Board is a hard-working group of volunteers who are passionate about education and give up so much of their time and energy to support the young children in our school.

We have been fortunate to welcome new Governors to our school over the past 12 months who have been keen to learn about their roles and responsibilities and to take an active part of in the life of the school. If you would like to find out more about becoming a Governor please ask.

Contact: Clerk to the Governors: Jennifer Claves

c/o St Marys Catholic Primary School

Devon Road

Poole

BH15 3QQ

The Role of the Governors

The School Governors at St. Mary’s are parent, staff and foundation (Church) representatives who are very interested and enthusiastic about the well being of our school, our pupils and staff. The governing board has organised itself to ensure that it meets all of its statutory obligations by having a named Governor responsible for undertaking a range of specific tasks.

They meet regularly and oversee the leadership and management of the school, providing expertise, critical friendship and a great deal of support to the school. Their chief concern is to ensure a high quality education for the pupils of St. Mary’s and that the school complies with initiatives and legislation such as the Freedom of Information Act.

The minutes of each meeting are available for inspection, please ask at the school office.

Our governors at St. Mary’s are extremely approachable and welcome opportunities to share information about their business and to discuss school matters.

CAST Board of Directors and meeting attendance

CAST Financial Information

CAST Policies

CAST Board Meeting Attendance

CAST Scheme of Delegated Authority Updated May 2024

Local Governing Board information

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to the Local Governing Board at St Mary’s, which has some new members for this year.

The School Governors at St. Mary’s are parent, staff and foundation (Church) representatives who are very interested and enthusiastic about the well-being of our school, our pupils and staff. The governing body is organised to ensure that it meets all of its statutory obligations by having a named Governor responsible for undertaking a range of specific tasks and to offer support to subject leads as they develop the curriculum.

We meet regularly and oversee the leadership and management of the school, providing expertise, critical friendship and a great deal of support to the school. Our chief concern is to ensure a high quality education for the pupils of St. Mary’s and that the school complies with initiatives and legislation such as safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR etc.

Our governors at St. Mary’s are extremely approachable and welcome opportunities to share information about their business and to discuss school matters. We hope in this coming year we can be more visible and meet with parents to discuss your ideas and any concerns.

Local Governing Board Membership

Mrs Rebekah Webb - Foundation Governor (Chair)

The birth of my eldest daughter put my teaching career on pause and since then, we have been blessed with three more children who have kept me busy and engaged in learning more about child development very much first hand! Our three eldest children are happy members of St. Mary’s with the youngest eager to follow.

My teacher training specialised in Early Years- Foundation Stage through to Year 2- and in my teaching experience I also really enjoyed working alongside students in KS2 in projects centred around writing, drama and performance. My undergraduate degree in English and Theatre Studies was borne of a love for writing and I am fascinated with how reading and writing develops from the very first stages and how rapid progress can be made, especially in the first few years at school.

Centred within a family of teachers, I have a passion for the power of education to open doors for all and I love that, through the Catholic school system, our children are learning that they are unique, loved wholly and created for a purpose.

As a past pupil, a past teacher and now in this new role as a governor, St. Mary’s has a place in my heart. I am really looking forward to finding ways that I can support the dedicated staff in encouraging all our beautiful young people to thrive and ignite with a thirst for learning, and a joy for recognising their power to create a just world.

Responsibilities: Safeguarding and Child Protection, Curriculum and Standards
Subject Lead Areas: Early Years Foundation Stage and English
Term of office: 12/10/2021 to 11/10/2025
Meeting attendance 2023/24: 100%
Business Interests: None
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: None

Dr Adrian Nightingale - Foundation Governor (Vice chair)

I am a lecturer within Southampton University’s Mechanical Engineering department. I teach engineers across all years and have wider higher education teaching experience having previously also taught undergraduate chemists and ocean scientists. I lead a small research group that develop water analysers, chemical reactors, and other sorts of fluid-based technology. I am also undergraduate Admissions Tutor for my department, dealing with a lot of excited prospective students as they decide where to go to university and what to study.

Away from work I am married to Sarah and we have two children who are both enjoying their education at St Mary’s. I am a reader at St Mary’s church and have previously served on the parish council. In my spare time I enjoy running, cycling, and music (guitar and records).

Responsibilities: RE and Catholic Life Governor
Subject Lead Areas: Science, RE
Appointed by: Diocese of Plymouth
Term of office: 22/03/2021 to 21/03/2025
Meeting Attendance 2023/24:  100%
Business Interests:  None declared
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships:  None

Mr Keith Jones - Parent Governor
I have been a solicitor for over 25 years; and running my own law firm since 2001. I am therefore responsible for the day to day and strategic management of a legal business as well as undertaking legal work for clients.

Outside of work, I have spent a significant proportion of my life playing - domestically and internationally - and coaching water polo (and being involved in the administration and management of clubs I have been a member of), swimming (including a bit of sea swimming) and cycling, although nowadays my recreational activities tend to be more family oriented. My daughter started at St Mary’s in Foundation in September 2020. Both of my parents were educators and they instilled into me an appreciation of the importance of the role that a good educational establishment plays in obtaining a good education. I am someone who likes to get involved and I view being a Parent Governor as an excellent opportunity to do just that. It will certainly be a new challenge for me, but it is one I am looking forward to taking on and, hopefully, the skills and experience I have gained in my professional and social life will stand me in good stead.

Responsibilities: School Health and Safety and Data Protection
Subject Lead Areas: Computing, Modern Foreign Languages
Term of office: 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2025
Meeting attendance 2023/24: 71%
Business Interests: Sole Director JBS Solicitors Limited
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: None

Mrs Kim Burke - Foundation Governor

I have just joined St Mary’s school governing body but I am an experienced governor, having served on the governing body of two inner London Primary schools. I moved to Poole in May 2022 to be closer to my family, and I fell in love with the area immediately.

I am a retired secondary headteacher and now I help learners with dyslexia and dyscalculia. I volunteer on Friday’s at St Mary’s where I am getting to know the pupils and staff. My particular area of interest is special educational needs. In my spare time I love being with my grandchildren and walking by the coast. I am an active member of St Mary’s Catholic parish and consider it a privilege to serve the school community.

Responsibilities: Inclusion

Appointed by: Diocese of Plymouth

Term of office: 06/10/2023 to 05/10/2027

Business Interests: None

Attendance 2023/24: 83%

Third Party Related Transactions: None

Other Governorships: None

Mrs Clare Tickel - Foundation Governor (Headteacher)

I joined St Mary's in February 2022 as Executive Headteacher for both St Mary's and Christ the King Catholic Primary School and in September 2023 was appointed Headteacher here at St Mary's. I joined Christ the King in September 2011 following 10 years as Headteacher of a Dorset Church School. I am passionate about ensuring the best possible outcomes for the children and believe that all children deserve to be loved and should be given the opportunity to flourish in a safe and nurturing environment.

Term of Office: Ex-Officio. Term commenced 28/02/2022
Meeting Attendance 2023/24: 100%
Appointed by: The Diocese of Plymouth

Business Interests: Employee of Plymouth CAST
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: Governor at Christ the King Catholic Primary School, Kinson

Mrs Mary Norrish - Foundation Governor
I have been a Governor at St. Mary’s since the autumn of 2013. The school is a very different and much more welcoming place since my 4 children attended between 1976 & 1991. The increased pupil numbers benefit from not only better buildings, but also diverse teaching methods, including the advantages brought by the digital internet world, delivered by St Mary’s dedicated and enthusiastic staff team. I really enjoy going into school to observe classes and see that the opportunities for learning are more interactive and the children certainly look to be enjoying the experience, despite the restrictions of National Curriculum and Ofsted requirements.

As a governor, I am also particularly interested in ensuring that staff and governors recognise their individual responsibility for safeguarding every child, and that children with additional educational needs are well supported to make the best use of their particular talents. Besides being a school governor, I am also a trustee of the charity Mosaic, supporting bereaved children across Dorset. I belong to the music group at 9:30 Mass, sing in two local choirs, ramble all over Dorset and the New Forest with St. Mary’s walkers every week, and help with my grandchildren too, so it’s quite an active retirement from children’s social work!

Responsibilities: Safeguarding and Child Protection
Appointed by: Diocese of Plymouth
Term of office: 14/06/2013 to 13/06/2025
Meeting Attendance 2023/24: 100%
Business Interests: Trustee Mosaic
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: None

Clerk to Governors - Mrs Jennifer Claves

Governors resigned within the last 12 months

Mrs Kerry Houston-Kypta - Parent Governor

Term of office: 30/09/2019 to 29/09/2023

Mr Simon Thomas - Staff Governor