Welcome to our Governors' section.
This is a short introduction to Catherington's Governing Body and how it works with teaching staff to ensure the best possible learning environment for our children.
Catherington's Governing Body is made up of 10 people. Mrs Burden as our Headteacher, one other staff member, two parents, one person who is nominated by the Local Authority and three co-opted people from the local community and two Foundation Governors appointed by the Church of England. None of our governors hold governance roles in other educational institutions.
Each Governor's term lasts for four years, after which an election is held or a new appointment made. The officers of the Governing Body including the Chair and Vice Chair are elected annually by the governors.
From time to time vacancies exist on our Governing Body; any applications can be made to the Clerk of the Governing Body via the school office. Parent Governor vacancies will be advertised in the school newsletter.
Our Governing Body are proud to hold strategic responsibility for our school. The DfE define the Governors' Core Roles as:
Our Governing Body meet each half term and in addition, two committees meet to fulfil specific duties. We hope you will find the information useful and would welcome your feedback at any time. Governors can be contacted via the school.
Below are the Governors profiles, pecuniary interests and attendance for the current year.
Current Governor Profiles
Chair of the Governors
Paul Main
Paul Main joined the Governing Body on 12th October 2016 as a Parent Governor. As his daughter moved onto junior school, Paul decided to remain on the board and become a Co-opted Governor and his term will end on 22nd September 2023.
Paul has three daughters, the youngest now at junior school and the two eldest both at university. He has worked for a large bank for many years and as a result has a particular interest in the finances of the school. He enjoys volunteering his time to school.
Vice Chair
Lesley Greenall
Lesley Greenall joined the Governing Body on 4th July 2019 as a Co-opted Governor and her term as a governor ends on 3rd July 2023. Lesley is the Safeguarding Governor.
Lesley has a background in Education Management bringing lots of experience to the Board of Governors.
Maria Burden
Maria Burden joined the governing body in September 2021 as Headteacher of the school.
Nikki Anderson
Nikki Anderson joined the governing body in April 2018 and is the Senior Admin Officer at the school.
Revd Richard Hutchins
Revd Richard Hutchins joined the Governing Body as a Foundation Governor in May 2020, shortly after licensing as Priest-in-Charge to our Parish. Before a change of vocation to Church of England Priest, Richard spent 28 years in the Royal Navy as a Nuclear Submarine Engineer Officer - learning many useful skills for 'vicaring'!
Wendy Haxell
Nada Gillard - Parent Governor
Nada is currently COO of a sleep consultancy and prior to that was the CEO of a digital research agency.
With a daughter currently in year 2, Nada is keen to support the school and the team she has seen help her daughter thrive since starting her journey with them. She brings over 18 years experience in operations, finance and team development to the governing body.
Mary-Ann Beedle - Parent Governor