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 2020

Associate Governors (appointed by the Governing Body):

Margaret Bottomley, Kathryn Hampson

Chair of Governors:

Philip Higham

Parent (elected by the parents):

Emma Reader

Marc Whittaker

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

Margaret Bottomley

Category of Governor - Associate - Co-opted by the Governing Body

Term of Office: n/a

Committees Served on: Standards and Effectiveness Committee

Positions of Responsibility Held: Deputy Headteacher, Literacy Co-ordinator, Key Stage One Leader

Relevant business/financial interests: None

Other Education Establishments governed: None

Details of any relationships between the governor and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives: None

Does not have any voting rights on the governing body

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Kathryn Hampson

Category of Governor - Associate - Co-opted by the Governing Body

Term of Office: n/a

Committees Served on: Pupil Support Committee

Positions of Responsibility Held: Family Learning Mentor, Attendance, Pupil Welfare

Relevant business/financial interests: None

Other Education Establishments governed: None

Details of any relationships between the governor and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives: None

Does not have any voting rights on the governing body.

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Andrew Cafferkey

Category of Governor - Foundation - Appointed by the Diocese

Term of Office: 23/03/2022 to 22/03/2026

Committees Served on: Standards and Effectiveness Committee, Resources and Finance Committee, Pay Committee, Complaints Review Committee, Staff Attendance/Discipline/Dismissal Committee, Staffing Review Committee

Positions of Responsibility Held: Headteacher Cardinal Allen High School, Science Governor

Relevant business/financial interests: None

Other Education Establishments governed: Cardinal Allen Catholic High School

Details of any relationships between the governor and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives: None

Meetings attended in the last twelve months - one

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Ann Kowalska

Category of Governor - Headteacher

Term of Office: 01/11/2014 to 31/10/2022

Committees Served on: Standards and Effectiveness Committee, Resources and Finance Committee

Positions of Responsibility Held: Headteacher

Relevant business/financial interests: None

Other Education Establishments governed: None

Details of any relationships between the governor and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives: None

Meetings attended in the last twelve months - eight

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Father Michael Murphy

Category of Governor - Foundation - appointed by the Diocese

Term of Office: 01/07/2014 to 30/06/2022

Committees Served on: Resources Committee, Pay Committee

Positions of Responsibility Held: St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Priest

Relevant business/financial interests: None

Other Education Establishments governed:None

Details of any relationships between the governor and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives: None

Meetings attended in the last twelve months: three

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Karen Higham

Category of Governor - Staff - appointed by the staff

Term of Office: 16/11/2015 to 15/11/2023

Committees Served on: Resources and Finance Committee

Positions of Responsibility: School Bursar, Finance, Health and Safety, Human Resources, IT Governor, History and Geography Governor, Pupil Premium Governor

Relevant business/financial interests: None

Other Education Establishments governed: None

Details of any relationships between the governor and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives: None

Meetings attended in the last twelve months: six

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Emma Reader

Category of Governor: Parent - elected by the parents

Term of Office: 10/12/2019 to 09/12/2023

Committees Served on: Standards and Effectiveness Committee

Positions of Responsibility: Maths Governor

Relevant business/financial interests: None

Other Education Establishments governed: None

Details of any relationships between the governor and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives: None

Meetings attended in the last twelve months: one

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Samanthi Ranasinghe

Category of Governor: Foundation - elected by the Diocese

Term of Office: 22/11/2019 to 21/11/2023

Committees Served on:

Positions of Responsibility:

Relevant business/financial interests: None

Other Education Establishments governed: None

Details of any relationships between the governor and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives: None

Meetings attended in the last twelve months: four

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Philip Higham

Category of Governor: Chair of Governors

Term of Office: 23/03/2022 to 22/03/2026

Committees Served on:

Positions of Responsibility: Chair of Governors

Relevant business/financial interests: None

Other Education Establishments governed: None

Details of any relationships between the governor and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives: spouse of School Business Manager

Meetings attended in the last twelve months: seven

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Marc Whittaker

Category of Governor: elected by the parents

Term of Office: 23/03/2022 to 22/03/2026

Committees Served on: 

Positions of Responsibility: Vice-Chair of Governors

Relevant business/financial interests: None

Other Education Establishments governed: None

Details of any relationships between the governor and members of the school staff including spouses, partners and relatives: spouse of Administrative Assistant

Number of meetings attended in the last twelve months: 2

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