Governors

The Governing Body 

The Governing Body of St Philip’s works in partnership with the Headteacher within an established Code of Practice to develop an effective strategy for the future direction of the school.  St Philip’s is a Voluntary Aided School, although largely Local Authority financed.  The Governing Body employs the staff, sets the pupil admission criteria and monitors the religious curriculum.  St Philip’s is a Catholic school in the Diocese of Shrewsbury.  

What is the role of a Governor?

The role of the Governing Body is to challenge and support the school.  It shares the school vision, celebrating the success and achievements of the school as well as providing strategic input to school development plans.  The Governing Body acts as a ‘critical friend’, monitoring and evaluating decisions and progress within the school.  The role of a governor includes: 

• Demonstrating support for the Headteacher’s position as professional leader of the school  
• Working with the Headteacher to set the future direction for the school 
• Working with the Headteacher in deciding how the school’s budget should be spent 
• Monitoring spending within the school budget 
• Working co-operatively with other Headteacher and staff and other governors to raise standards and improve outcomes for all children at the school 
• Monitoring and evaluating the progress of the school in raising standards for all. 

Governors’ Commitment

The governors give of their time and their skills freely taking responsibility for their development by attending training where appropriate. They come from a variety of backgrounds and skills and represent the wider community of St Philip’s School.  Each governor is assigned to a committee and attends three further meetings annually. The main committees are the Resources Committee which has oversight of the school budget and its deployment and the Teaching and Learning Committee whose remit covers all aspects of learning and standards within the school.  The governors are fully involved in the life of the school, for example, attending Family Nights, Christmas Fairs and Liturgies.  

Structure of the Governing Body

Our Governing Body comprises of:

• Seven Foundation Governors appointed by the Diocese of Shrewsbury 
• Two Parent Governors appointed by parental vote 
• One Staff Governor appointed by staff votes 
• One Local Authority Governor appointed by the Local Authority  
• Associate Governors chosen by the Governing Body
• The Headteacher 

The Chair of Governors is Mrs Marian Slee who can be contacted via the school.  All Governors complete an Annual Register of Interests.  For the year 2019/20 there are no conflicting interests registered.  In line with the Freedom of Information Act, minutes of Governing Body meetings are public documents and are available to interested parties.  Please contact the school for details if required.

Our governing body comprises of the following members:

Governor Profiles

Marian Slee -  Chair, Foundation Governor

My association with the governing body began when I was first elected Parent Governor many years ago.  I have been Chair of governors since September 2010 and I am very proud to be of service to St Philip's which is a school which sets very high standards, both personal and educational, for all its pupils within a Catholic setting.  throughout my working life I have worked within a setting of secondary education, but I am very well aware of the expectations and challenges of primary school.  I particularly enjoy visits to the school where I see happy children actively engaged in their learning.

Simon Hayward - Vice Chair, Local Authority Governor 

As a parent of two children attending St Philip's, I feel passionate about the continued development of the school which has ensured my own children are both challenged and supported in their learning.  I feel it a duty to be able to give something back to such a positive institution which takes so much pride in the work it does with the pupils.  My financial employment background, working in both the private and corporate banking sectors, provides a good grounding to develop new skills and enables me to contribute positively to the governing body.  

Chris Barber - Foundation Governor

Having been elected to the governing body over thirty years ago, initially as Parent Governor, and latterly as a Foundation Governor, I have held a number of posts including Chair and Vice-chair and I currently chair the Resources sub-committee.  Over the years my background in the building industry has proved useful in liaising with contractors during the various building projects undertaken by the school.  whilst the role of governor is a very responsible and times quite a time-consuming role, it is also very rewarding when you see the progress the school is making.  

Mrs Lyz Donegan - Foundation Governor

I am delighted t be a foundation governor at St Philip's.  Having previously been involved with the school in the role of school nurse, I look forward to combining my professional skills with the role of governor and my faith to promote good Catholic education within the school.  I hope that my knowledge of safeguarding will support the school in ensuring the well-being of children at St Philips.  My own children enjoyed the benefits of a sound Catholic education and I hope that my contribution to the governing body will support many other children to benefit from high quality education.

Angela Burke - Foundation Governor

My three children enjoyed a very happy time over an 11 year period at St Philip's so when I was asked to become a Foundation Governor, I was delighted to accept.  For me, this is a good way to give something back to the school.  As my work background is in finance, I decided to join the Resources Committee to contribute my experience in this area.  I am also the RE link governor; our family regularly attend Mass at St Philip's Church where we enjoy being part of the friendly, welcoming congregation.  St Philip's is a fantastic school and I look forward to being able to support it where I can.

Claire Heaney - Foundation Governor

As I have three children at school, I have been involved with the school for a number of years.  My eldest is in her final year and my youngest has just finished his first.  I was delighted to be asked to be a governor and have now been a Foundation Governor for almost one year.  I have worked in Education for almost 17 years and I was keen to use this experience to be proactive in supporting the school to maintain high standards.  I am a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee and the link governor for SEND and Pupil Premium.  I am supporting the school in their drive to improve outcomes for these groups of children.

Dr Fabio Scenini - Foundation Governor

I am Italian, but I have lived in the UK since 2002 when I first came to study for a Master's degree and a PhD in Materials Science.  Thanks to my Roman Catholic upbringing and faith, I was asked to become a Foundation Governor, a position of responsibility that I gladly accepted in 2018.  I am a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee, and as the Link Governor for Science and Maths I am actively engaged in the life of the school, particularly through the promotion of Science and Engineering, something further facilitated by my position as Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester.  I am the parent of two boys who attend this school and therefore I have a vested interest in ensuring the success of this charismatic school and hope to support the Catholic ethos that the school embodies.

Lisa Preston - Parent Governor

I have been a Dental Nurse serving the local community for over 20 years so I was thrilled to be asked to become a Parent Governor for St Philip's, another local community role.  I have two children at the school and therefore, as a parent, I have a keen interest in the development of the school and the whole school experience for it's pupils.  I am a member of the Resources Committee and I am eager to learn more about how the school uses it's resources for the benefit of the pupils.

Nicola Costello - Parent Governor

When I was given the opportunity to become Parent Governor I was excited at the prospect of helping the school from a governor's point of view.  Having two children at St Philip's, I have already experienced the warm sense of community within the school as well as the encouragement for learning it promotes.  In my role, I feel I will be able to contribute objective views on the school's development and progress.  I am currently on the Teaching and Learning Committee and am the Link Governor for PE at St Philip's.  I am also a member of the PTA and enjoy the fundraising events we organise which as Family Night and the movie nights.

Fr Peter Sharracks - Associate Governor

I was appointed to St Philip's governors in late 2014.  I am also an associate governor at St Peter's and St Simon's, the other schools within my parish.  I have been involved in school governing for nearly thirty years, including spells as chair of governors in my previous parishes.  What I find rewarding as a governor is seeing how staff and pupils develop their many skills over the years. I particularly enjoy my contact with the pupils and their parents through regular class liturgies held in school.  I look forward to contributing to the ongoing development of St Philips.  

Erika Philips - Foundation Governor

I have a long engagement with St Philip's as a former pupil and now as the parent of two daughters attending the school.  When I was asked if I would consider being a Foundation Governor I happily agreed.  I have a strong interest in how the school progresses, both from a parent's perspective and now from a governor's perspective.  I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing success of St Philip's,  I am a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee and look forward to my role as Link Governor for EYFS.

Mr Richard Kingsley - Associate Governor

I am a member of St Philip's parish and currently have a son at St Philip's which I am happy to say is providing him with a very positive educational experience.  My association with the governing body began when I was asked if I would consider becoming a Foundation Governor, to which  happily agreed.  I am a Chartered Quantity Surveyor used to dealing with large complex budgets, legal agreements and development needs.  these skills, together with my time on the regional board of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors are readily transferable to my role within the governing body of the school.  

Emily Cahill - Associate Governor

Not only am I the Deputy Headteacher at the school, but I am also a former pupil with a long-standing relationship to the parish of parish of St Philip's.  It is an absolute pleasure to be part of the Governing Body as an Associate Governor.  I attend the Teaching and Learning Committee  as well as the Resources Committee, always with the mindset of driving the school forward.  I enjoy working alongside our supportive and challenging governors to ensure the best possible education for our children here at St Philip's school.

Alex Jones -  Staff Governor

As Year 4 teacher and KS1 Subject Lead, I have enjoyed furthering my involvement in St Philip's with the role of a staff governor.  I attend the Teaching and Learning Committee, in addition to Whole Governing Body meetings, and I feel that my knowledge of the school and our fantastic children provides me with the knowledge and skills to support the school in its ongoing progression.  My roles as Maths and PE Subject Lead also provide me with a rounded knowledge of the teaching and learning within the the school.  I have thrived as a member of the Governing Body, taking particular pleasure in seeing the decisions and discussions we have in Governor's meetings come into fruition and have a genuine positive impact on a day to day basis in St Philip's.