Governor Information

Peter Falconbridge ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Co-opted

Appointed/Elected: Appointed by the Governing Board.

Term of Office: 25.03.2019 – 24.03.2023

Committee representation: School Improvement Committee. Resources Committee. Performance Review Committee. Budget Review Committee, SIAMS Working Party.

Position of responsibility: · Chair of the Full Governing Body Meeting, Chair of the School Improvement Committee, Chair of the Performance Review Committee, Link governor for GDPR, Link governor for Performance Management and Vulnerable Group
· Link governor for GDPR, Performance Management and Vulnerable Groups

Business Interests: None

Interest in other educational establishments: None

Relationships: None

My background is in teaching which started in 1980. I taught in a Boys school before moving to a school for visually impaired pupils to take up a Deputy Headteacher post and subsequently Headteacher. I retired from education in 2014.

I have a wealth of experience as a governor and been extremely fortunate to work with a number of experienced Chairs. I have chaired numerous committees and sub committees and have an intimate knowledge of governance procedures and protocols, including close working with external support agencies. I have knowledge of recruitment processes, the delegated school budget, performance management for teaching and non-teaching staff and every aspect of site management.

As a Hoddesdon resident and member of the congregation at St Catherine’s Church, I value the opportunity to be part of the governing body at St. Catherine’s School and to support the Headteachers, staff, pupils and parents/carers.

John Forrest ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Co-opted governor

Appointed/Elected: Appointed by governing board

Position of responsibility:

Term of Office: From 11.10.21 to 10.10.251

Committee representation:

Business Interests:

Interest in other educational establishments:

Relationships: None

I have taken an interest in St Catherine's School since moving to Hoddesdon with my wife in 2017. I live close by and have been present at one or two events at St Catherine & St Paul’s Church when the school has been involved. Before 'lockdown' I enjoyed spending a morning with various classes talking about my various roles in the media.

My professional background since 1970 has been in media production. My programme genres have been in religion and music. I have a keen interest in both. Since my first job as a staff member of BBC Radio Manchester where I produced a 'Sunday School of the Air' I have taken an interest in programmes for children. In recent years I launched, and produced, the 'Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year' competition for both junior and secondary schools.

For five years I was a producer with BBC Radio's religious department where I Specialised in programmes for Radios 1, 2 and 4. As TV producer/director with a specialist interest in religion I made 5 series and several programmes supporting INSET for BBC Schools TV. The job took me around various schools in the country at a time when the 1988 Education Reform Act stipulated 'daily acts of Christian worship' in most schools. We made video resources for secondary schools to use. I moved on to Manchester to become a staff producer/director with 'Songs of Praise' where I travelled extensively and internationally, creating a number of musical events and programmes. Venues included Old Trafford, Goodison Park„ the Millennium Stadium Cardiff, Florida and Vienna. I became freelance in 2001 and continued BBC programme making for several years including BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall. I also expanded into various commercial productions. I still make occasional films, though no longer as a commercial enterprise.

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Mrs Wallis ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Staff

Appointed/Elected: Ex-officio appointment

Term of Office: From 31.12.2011

Committee representation: School Improvement Committee
Resources Committee,
Budget Review Committee,
Performance Review Committee,
SIAMS Working Party

Position of responsibility: Headteacher

Business Interests: None

Interest in other educational establishments: None

Relationships: Son employed at St Catherine's

Bio

Having lived and worked in Hertfordshire all my life, I first joined Haslewood Junior school as a part time teacher in 1996. The role soon evolved to a full time commitment and after the school amalgamated with St Paul’s Infant School in 2003, I was offered the role of senior teacher having joint responsibility for maths and English with a teacher from St Paul’s – Mandy Staiano. The partnership formed at that time provided the foundation for our journey from assistant headteachers into co-headship; we were asked to provide ‘acting’ cover following the departure of the previous head, and were offered the substantive position in July 2012. After Mandy’s untimely death in 2018, I have continued as headteacher at St Catherine’s.

I live locally and enjoy walking, reading and cooking.

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Cathy Irons ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Co-opted

Appointed/Elected: Appointed by the governing body

Term of Office: 13.03.2019 – 12.03.2023

Committee representation: School Improvement Committee and Performance Review Committee.

Position of responsibility: Link governor for Safeguarding (including Child Protection, Children Looked After and attendance. Link governor for Schools Financial Values Standards and Reading.

Business Interests: None

Interest in other educational establishments: Employed at Herts for Learning Ltd

Relationships: None

I joined St Catherine's governing body in May 2009 and serve as a Co-opted governor. I am the nominated Safeguarding and Children Looked After governor, sit on the School Improvement Committee and support with the annual financial audit, SFVS (Schools Financial Value Standard). The role is demanding and challenging but there are many rewards, particularly the children's enthusiasm and love of learning which are apparent through my governor visits. I hope through my governor role to help raise school improvement and support the school in building a successful future.

Dale Webster ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Parent Governor

Appointed/Elected: Elected by parents

Term of Office: From 01.10.21 to 30.09.25

Committee representation:

Position of Responsibility

Business Interests:

Interest in other educational establishments:

Relationships:

I live in Hoddesdon and have three children between the ages of three and six, two of which are pupils at St Catherines with the youngest one starting next year. I currently manage my own small architectural business giving me the flexibility to be the ‘stay at home parent’. For the majority of my career I have worked in architectural practices managing social housing construction contracts with some experience working on academy bids. I believe as a relatively new full-time parent of young children I have transferable skills to assist with most aspects of early years learning, benefiting further from the recent home schooling as well as my professional experience to enable me to be an effective part of the team, hold the school to account and help with any necessary school improvements. I studied Mathematics, Physics and Sports Science at A-Level before completing my Architectural Technology BSc (Hons) degree which may be of help in similar subject areas too.

I am excited to become a part of the governing body and want to maximise this unique opportunity to have a positive influence on the school’s continued success and each child’s development. I adore my kids and enjoy going on ‘adventures’ with them whether it be a walk in the woods or a losing ourselves in a night-time story. I like to partake in most sports, learning new skills, going for walks and practicing what I preach with DIY. I played several musical instruments when I was younger, something which I plan to revisit with my children.

Rebecca Bannocks ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Parent Governor

Appointed/Elected: Appointed by the governing board

Term of Office: 01/05/2020 – 20/04/2024

Committee representation: School Improvement Committee

Position of responsibility:Link governor for Reading

Business Interests: None

Interest in other educational establishments: Teacher at Cranbourne School, Hoddesdon

Relationships: To be confirmed

I qualified as a teacher in 2015 and began working as an NQT the same year. In 2016 I moved to Hoddesdon and as a result, I began working at The Cranbourne School, which is still my place of work as a teacher. I feel my experience as a teacher will prove to be invaluable to me as a parent governor because it has provided me with training in safeguarding children, not only on a day to day basis but also in regards to more serious concerns. Also, I know how schools work in regards to teaching and learning and so I understand the pressure that schools are under to ensure that children make progress. Furthermore, I understand the importance of having positive relationships with parents as their support is imperative to the school. As a teacher I am already invested in helping children to develop to the best of their abilities and I would love to be able to do so at St. Catherine’s school which would benefit many children, including my own.

John Perkins ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Co-opted governor

Appointed/Elected: Appointed by the governing board

Term of Office: From 25.09.21 to 24.09.25

Committee representation:

Position of responsibility:

Business Interests:

Interest in other educational establishments:

Relationships:

For 24 years I have been involved, in one way or another, with St. Catherine’s, initially as Hazlewood Primary which my children first attended. I have seen the school through special measures, changes of management teams, survival initiatives and continue to this day to help out at the annual fete with my entire family cooking excellent sausage and burger rolls whilst at the same time investing in the prosecco stall!

For many years I was governor, both when my children attended and for some years after when they were at secondary school. During that time, I took a particular interest in the SEN of the School. My son (who is now an aerospace engineer with a Masters Degree) was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at a very early age due to the attention and care of the teaching staff. This early diagnosis has played an important part in his future success.

The school has played a major part in both y son and daughter’s development and I believe that it s time that I returned as a governor to assist with the changes, challenges and opportunities that I believe are on the way in the local area and continue to be friends with an organisation that has played such a major role in my families development

Camilla Smitham ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Parent governor

Appointed/Elected: Elected by the parents.

Term of Office: From 01.10.21 to 30.09.25

Committee representation: School Improvement Committee. SIAMS Working Party.

Position of Responsibility: to be agreed SIAMS Working Party.

Business Interests: .

Interest in other educational establishments: Parent governor at Rye Park Nursery

Relationships: None

I trained as an Early Years teacher back in the early 2000’s and took the opportunity to work in a few different countries before coming back to London and then settling in Hoddesdon in 2016 to start our family. My oldest child started Reception this year at St Catherine’s and I felt I wanted to invest myself more into the school and to keep my toes dipped in the educational world as I am currently on a career break due to the ages of my children. I have been lucky enough to get a role as a parent governor at St Catherine’s but I am also a parent governor at Rye Park Nursery, a role I started last year.

As a teacher, I am know how a school works on an educational level but being a governor has helped me see the other side of running a school.

I am looking forward to being part a committed team working towards the best possible outcomes for all of our children.

Carly Perkins ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Co-opted Governor

Appointed/Elected: Appointed by the governing board

Term of Office: From 25.09.21 to 24.09.25

Committee representation: to be agreed

Position of responsibility: to be agreed

Business Interests:

Interest in other educational establishments:

Relationships:

I was a member of the St. Catherine’s PTA while my children attended the school. During this time, I was active in arranging fund-raising activities such as firework nights, school fetes and other events that raised the profile of the school in Hoddesdon. I was also on the fund-raising committee for Foxton Road Scouts, helping to arrange events that raised much needed funds that gave the young people extra-curricular and social experiences

Now that my children are adults, I want to find a voluntary role within the community. What better place than the primary school my children attended, where I already have an understanding of the ethos and aims, know some members of the management team, and feel I can hopefully make a difference and give something back.

I am a Senior Marketing Manager for a large cruise line plc and while I am prepared to take on a range of governor responsibilities, I feel that my skills in marketing and PR could also benefit St. Catherine’s in raising the School’s profile.

Reverend Rachel Pennant ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Foundation governor. Vicar of St. Catherine’s and St. Paul’s Church. Ex-Officio appointment

Appointed/Elected: Appointed by the Diocese of St Albans

Term of Office: From 24.05.2020

Committee representation: School Improvement Committee. SIAMS Working Party.

Position of responsibility: N/A

Business Interests: See below

Interest in other educational establishments: None

Relationships: Husband is occasionally employed at St. Catherine’s School as a supply teacher

I joined the governing body of St Catherine’s School as a Foundation Governor, following my appointment as the Vicar of St Catherine and St Paul’s Church in May 2016. This is my first time as a member of a governing body, but I bring extensive experience of working within different community settings, and of data and performance analysis from my former career as a Civil Servant.

I am the link governor for SIAMS – the Statutory inspection of Anglican and Methodist schools – I have three children who currently attend John Warner Secondary School.

Tracey Fisher ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Associate Member

Appointed: Appointed by the Governing Board

Term of Office: From January 2012 (duration of employment as Business Manager)

Committee representation: Resources Committee

Position of responsibility: · Financial and premises reporting (no voting rights)

Business interests: Employed as the Business Manager at St. Catherine’s School

Interests in other educational settings: None

Relationships: None

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Mike Marsh ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Foundation

Appointed: Nominated by St. Catherine & St Paul’s Church PCC. Appointed by the Diocese of St. Albans Education Board

Term of Office: 07.12.2019 – 06.12.2023

Committee representation: Resource Committee and Performance Review Committee

Position of responsibility: Chair of the Resources Committee. Link governor for Project-based Learning (PBL); including History & Geography.

Business interests: None

Interests in other educational settings: None

Relationships: None

Bio:

I have lived in Hoddesdon with my wife Hilary since 1975. I retired as Chief Aerodynamicist at BAe Farnborough in 2011, but I still work part-time as Chief Aerodynamicist for a small Company providing consultancy services to the Aerospace industry.

I have a married daughter who lives in Sheffield and works as an Oncology Registrar at St James Hospital, Leeds. My son works as a Research Fellow in Material Science at Leeds University.

I have been a member of St Catherine’s and St Paul's Church since 1976, and currently I am Treasurer and just coming to the end of my second stint as Churchwarden.

I am currently starting my second term as a PCC appointed Foundation Governor and I am very keen that the links between School and Church should be developed further.

My wife was a Primary School teacher for 20 years and gets very upset when Primary School teachers are regarded as ‘second class citizens’ in the teaching world. She considers Primary School teaching to be far more difficult than Secondary School teaching and I agree with her.

My interests include amateur dramatics, theatre and concert going, Rotary (Secretary of Hoddesdon Rotary Club), reader for Lea Valley Talking Newspapers and compiling quizzes.

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Mrs Devonshire ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Staff Governor

Appointed: Elected by staff

Term of Office: 25/06/18 – 24/06/2022

Committee representation: School Improvement Committee, Budget Review Committee, Performance Review Committee, SIAMS Working Party

Position of responsibility: Deputy Headteacher

Business interests: None

Interests in other educational settings: None

Relationships: None

Bio I have had the pleasure to work at St Catherine’s since I arrived as a student teacher in 2003 and gained QTS in the same year. During the last 17 years, I have worked in each Key Stage with the majority of my experience being in Key Stage 1 and Early Years. I have led KS1, D&T, Maths, Computing and Assessment and was an Assistant Head before being appointed Deputy Headteacher in 2018.

I am highly committed to ensuring that our pupils receive the best possible education and are equipped for the wider world through a range of stimulating and engaging experiences. I feel very lucky to be part of a dedicated and supportive team who constantly strive for excellence.

In my spare time I love spending time with my husband and two young children and am partial to a trip to the theatre and searching for a Geocache!

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Governors resigned in last 12 months ▾ (click here to expand)

Name: Julia Thurlow

Category: Co-Opted

Resigned: 02/12/2020

Name: Amanda Griggs

Category: Parent

Resigned: 20/05/2021

Name: James Harvey

Resigned: 18/12/2020

Name: Graeme Stewart

Resigned: 21/04/2021

Gemma Wilkinson - Resigned: 21.06.21

Andrew Davies - Resigned: 25.06.21

Jean Legg - Resigned: 12.07.21