Welcome to our Governors’ section. 

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

We have also provided a Register of Governor Interests and an Annual Statement of Issues for your information.

Governing Body of St. Mary's Catholic Primary School September 2023

Associate Governors (appointed by the Governing Body):

Margaret Bottomley and Kathryn Hampson

Chair of Governors:

Philip Higham

Parent (elected by the parents):

Marc Whittaker

Emma Reader

Sammi Ranasinghe

Staff (elected by the staff):

Karen Higham

Foundation Governors (elected by the Diocese)

Andrew Cafferkey

Father Michael Murphy

Samanthi Ranasinghe

LEA Governor (elected by the Local Authority):

Philip Higham

Headteacher Governor:

Ann Kowalska

Membership of Standing Committees:

Standards and Effectiveness Committee:

Chair: Philip Higham

Members: Andrew Cafferkey, Ann Kowalska, Emma Reader, Marc Whittaker 

Resources and Finance Committee:

Chair: Philip Higham

Members: Andrew Cafferkey, Ann Kowalska, Karen Higham, Father Michael Murphy,  Marc Whittaker

Governor Information

Foundation Governor - Chair of Governors- Philip Higham - term of office 23.03.22 to 22.03.26 - Meetings attended in past twelve months - 7 No business interests - appointed by the diocese - committees - Resources and Teaching and Learning - spouse of School Business Manager  - Chair of both Resources and Teaching and Learning Committees

Parent Governor - Vice-Chair of Governors - Marc Whittaker - term of office 23.03.22 to 222.03.26 - Meetings attended in past twelve months - 5 No business interests - appointed by the parents, spouse of Admin Assistant

Headteacher Governor - Ann Kowalska - term of office 01.11.14 to 31.10.22 - Meetings attended in past twelve months 9 - No business interests - appointed by the diocese - committees - Resources and Teaching and Learning

Foundation Governor - Andrew Cafferkey - term of office 19.08.2018 to 18.02.26 - Meetings attended in past twelve months - 5 No business interests - appointed by the diocese - committees - Resources, Teaching and Learning, Staffing Review, Pay, Complaints Review, Staff Attendance, Discipline and Dismissal

Staff Governor - Karen Higham - term of office 16.11.15 to 15.11.23 - Meetings attended in past twelve months 6 - No business interests - appointed by the staff, spouse of Chair of Governors, committees - Resources

Parent Governor - Sammanthi Ranasinghe - term of office 22.11.19 to 21.11.23 - Meetings attended in past twelve months - 5 - No business interests - appointed by the parents - committees - Teaching and Learning

Parent Governor - Emma Reader - term of office 10.12.19 to 09.12.23 - Meetings attended in past twelve months - 2 No business interests - appointed by the parents - committees - Teaching and Learning

Foundation Governor - Father Michael Murphy - term of office 01.07.14 to 30.06.22 - Meetings attended in past twelve months - 4 - No business interests - appointed by the diocese - committees - Resources, Teaching and Learning, Pay, Staff Attendance, Discipline and Dismissal 

Associate Governor - Margaret Bottomley - Meetings attended in the past twelve months - 0 No business interests - no voting rights - appointed by the Governing Body - no committees

Associate Governor - Kathryn Hampson - Meetings attended in the past twelve months - 0 No business interests - no voting rights - appointed by the Governing Body - no committees