St Mary’s Catholic Primary School 
 
School Governors – 2025- 2026
Welcome to the section of the website where you can find out more about the school’s governors and the work that we do. Our main role is to support the Headteacher and the staff – the phrase often used to describe this role is ‘a critical friend’. We help them to set and reach targets and to strive for excellence across the whole spectrum of school life.
 
The two key documents used for this are the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and the Self Evaluation Form (SEF). The SIP sets out a three-year strategic plan for the school, with targets that everyone works towards, and the SEF sets out how well the school is doing and where we aim to make improvements.
 
Our legal duties include:-
· setting strategic direction, policies, and objectives
· approving the school budget
· reviewing progress against the school's budget and objectives
· appointing, challenging, and supporting the Headteacher
 
The Full Governing Body meet once every term. We have sub-committees to look at specific areas (such as pay, performance management, buildings development, and curriculum). A small group, which includes the head teacher and the school business manager, meets twice a term to keep an eye on school finances between our full governor meetings. All governors are informed about what happens at these finance meetings.
 
There are several categories of a governor, appointed by different groups that have an interest in the school. These are the Local Authority (“LA”), Parents, Foundation, and Staff. All governors have equal status; however, they are appointed.
 
We are committed to providing an excellent environment for all pupils to enjoy during their time at our school.
 
Officers to the Governing Body 
Charlotte Pugh  – Chair, Foundation Governor

Fr Matthew King - Foundation Governor

Vacancy - Foundation Governor

Vacancy - Foundation Governor

Mrs Zarnecka-McDonagh - Foundation Governor

Mr Tom Farrell - LEA Governor

Mrs Kathleen Jones - Foundation Governor

Charlotte Pugh  – Foundation Governor

Ms Jess Bone - Parent Governor

Alex Cartwright - Parent Governor

Mrs Alison Ternan– Headteacher

Miss Elizabeth Speirs– Staff Governor

In attendance at meetings:
Mrs Louisa Traffold – Local Authority Clerk

Resource Committee
Mrs Alison Ternan

Mrs Charlie Pugh

Mr Alex Cartwright

Mr Tom Farrell

Ms Jess Bone

Curriculum Committee

Miss Elizabeth Speirs

Fr Matthew King

Mrs Alison Ternan

Mrs Kathleen Jones

Mrs Charlie Pugh
 
Pay Committee

Mrs Kathleen Jones

Mrs Charlie Pugh
Mrs Alison Ternan

Fr Matthew King

Headteacher’s Appraisal Review Panel

Mr Alex Cartwright

Ms Jess Bone

Mrs Monika Zarnecka-McDonagh

Our Governing Body meetings are usually held in the evening. We attend training sessions and seminars to help us keep up to date with changes in schools and education and to help us do our job effectively. We also go to the school to monitor and meet with the Pupils, Teachers and Headteacher, to help us find out how the school is progressing towards its targets.