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:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction,
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of its pupils and the performance management of staff,
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

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.

Meet our Governors

Name: Paul Main

Position: Chair of Governors

Responsiblities: Chair 

Date Appointed: 12th october 2016

Term of Office: 4 years, end date 22nd September 2023

Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2021/22: 100%

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 he took up the role of Chair of Governors in September 2022.

Paul has three daughters, the youngest now at junior school and the two eldest both now completed their degrees at university and are now working. 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.

Name: Lesley Greenall

Position: Vice Chair of Governors

Responsibilities: Vice Chair, Safeguarding and Health and Safety

Date Appointed: 4th July 2019

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 4th July 2023

Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2021/22: 100%

Lesley joined the Governing Body on 4th July 2019 as a Co-opted Governor.

Lesley has a background in Education Management bringing lots of experience to the Board of Governors.

Name: Maria Burden

Position: Headteacher

Responsiblities: Safeguarding

Date Appointed:

Pecuniary Interests: Employed at School

Meetings Attended 2021/22: 100%

Name: Nikki Anderson

Position: Staff Governor

Date Appointed: 19th April 2018

Term of Office: 4 years end date 18th April 2026

Pecuniary Interest: Employed at School

Meetings Attended 2021/22: 100%

Name: Revd Richard Hutchins 

Position: Foundation Governor

Date Appointed: 18th May 2020

Term of Office: 4 years end date 17th May 2024

Pecuniary Interest: None Declared 

Meetings Attended 2021/22:

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'!

Name: Wendy Hazell

Position: Foundation Governor

Responsibilities: Pay Committee

Date Appointed: 21st September 2022

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 21st September 2026

Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2021/22:

Wendy is a retired teacher, and now cares for her husband who is blind.

Wendy attends All Saints Church in Catherington

Name: Nada Gillard

Position: Parent Governor

Responsibilities: Pay Committee

Date Appointed: 14th March 2022

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 13th March 2026

Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2021/22:

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.

Name:  Mary-Ann Beedle

Position: Parent Governor

Responsibilities: Early Years

Date Appointed: 1st November 2022

Term of Office: 4 Years, end date 1st November 2026

Pecuniary Interests: None Declared

Meetings Attended 2021/22:

Mary-Anne is a solicitor working in children's safeguarding for a Local Authority. Mary-anne attended Catherington Infant School herself so was keen to support the school when her own son joined in Year R in September 2022.

Mary-Anne brings 10 years of legal and safeguarding experience to the board of governors.