Governor Information

Governor Newsletters

Minutes of Meetings

    Peter Falconbridge ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category: Co-opted

    Appointed/Elected: Appointed by the governing body

    Term of Office: 25.03.15 – 24.03.19

    Committee representation: School Improvement. Resources.

    Position of responsibility: Chair of Governors and Performance Management Governor

    Business Interests: None

    Interest in other educational establishments: None

    Relationships: None

    Bio

     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.

    Jean Legg ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category: Local Authority

    Appointed/Elected: Appointed by GB

    Term of Office: 13/07/2017 – 12/07/2021

     Committee representation: School Improvement

    Business Interests: None

    Interest in other educational establishments: Teacher at St Cross, Hoddesdon; Enterprise Advisor at Maria Fidelis, Euston, London.

    Relationships: None

    Angela Wallis ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category: Staff

    Appointed/Elected: Ex-officio appointment

    Term of Office: From 31.12.2011

     Committee representation: School Improvement, Resources

    Position of responsibility: Co-Headteacher

    Business Interests: None

    Interest in other educational establishments: None

    Relationships: Son employed at St Catherine's

    Cathy Irons ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category:  Co-opted

    Appointed/Elected: Appointed by the governing body

    Term of Office: 13.03.15 – 12.03.2019

    Committee representation: School Improvement

    Position of responsibility: Vice-chair of Governors and Safeguarding Governor

    Business Interests: None

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

    Relationships: None

    Bio

     I joined St Catherine's governing body in May 2009 and am in my second term as a Co-opted governor. I am the nominated Safeguarding and Children Looked After governor, sit on the School Improvement Committee and other review groups. 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.

    Andrew Davies ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category:  Foundation

    Appointed/Elected: Appointed by St Albans Diocese Education Board

    Term of Office: 21/06/2017 – 20/06/2021

    Committee representation: Resources

    Business Interests: None

    Interest in other educational establishments:  None

    Relationships: None

    Bio

     Originally from Swansea in South Wales, I moved to Hoddesdon in 1986 to start working as a full time GP in The Amwell Street Surgery. I retired as a GP at the end of 2015. My wife and daughter are primary school teachers in Hertfordshire. I also have a son who has studied Mathematics at Bristol University. I have been part of the congregation at St Catherine and St Paul's Church in Hoddesdon since 1986, and it is through this link that I have become a foundation governor appointed by the St Alban's Diocesan Education Board. My interests include dinghy sailing, skiing, dance, playing a trombone and of course, rugby.

    Denise Barrows ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category: Parent

    Appointed/Elected: Elected by parents

    Term of Office: 01.10.2016 – 30.09.2020

    Committee representation: School Improvement

    Position of responsibility:

    Business Interests: None

    Interest in other educational establishments: None

    Relationships: None

    Bio

     I have three children, with two at St Catherine's and a little one at nursery, and have been a governor since 2012.  I have worked in the voluntary sector for many years, often working closely with schools. At the moment I am the Head of Education and Learning for an independent grant-making foundation that works to tackle disadvantage and help people, particularly young people, to achieve their potential. I have a particular interest in approaches to teaching and learning that engage chidren and young people deeply in their learning and help them to develop the skills and qualities they will need in the 21st Century.

    Gemma Wilkinson ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category: Parent

    Appointed/Elected: Elected by parents

    Term of Office: 28.01.16 – 27.01.2020

    Committee representation: To be confirmed

    Position of responsibility: None

    Business Interests: None

    Interest in other educational establishments: Teacher in Hertfordshire School

    Relationships: None

    Bio

    I have two children, one at St Catherine’s and another at nursery and became a member of the governing committee in 2016.  

    My background is in education, I am currently a secondary school teacher in Hertfordshire and hope that my knowledge of working in a school can help St Catherine’s to achieve its goals.  Whilst this is my first governor role I am looking forward to working with such an experienced committee.

    James Harvey ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category:  Associate Member

    Appointed/Elected: Appointed by governing body

    Term of Office: 01.09.2016 – 31.08.2017

    Committee representation: School Improvement

    Position of responsibility: Pupil Premium

    Business Interests: Employed at KS1 Leader to cover maternity leave

    Interest in other educational establishments: None

    Relationships: None

    Bio

     I was previously a Foundation Governor (appointed by the Diocese) through my links with the local church, St Catherine’s & St Paul’s I originally joined the Governing Body in September 2009 and following my appointment as KS1 leader from September 2016 to cover maternity leave, had to step down as Foundation Governor. I have subsequently been appointed for 1-year as an Associate Member of the governing body and will continue to provide support to the school.

    Jay Raynham ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category:  Parent

    Appointed/Elected: Elected by Parents

    Term of Office: 01.10.2016 – 30.09.2020

    Committee representation: Resources

    Position of responsibility: Health and Safety Governor

    Business Interests: Building Surveyor.  Director of local family Building Contractor

    Interest in other educational establishments: None

    Relationships: None

    Bio

     As a Building Surveyor I am able to assist in the preparation of a planned maintenance programme for the school, together with obtaining quotations from various contractors to carry out the works identified, and overseeing any works that are being undertaken.  I have been appointed as Chair of the Resources Committee and I am also the Governor with responsibility for Health and Safety.

    Reverend Rachel Pennant ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category: Foundation

    Appointed/Elected: Appointed by the Diocese of St Albans

    Term of Office: 25.05.16 (ex-officio)

    Committee representation: School Improvement

    Position of responsibility: N/A

    Business Interests: See below

    Interest in other educational establishments: None

    Relationships: Husband employed at the school

    Bio

    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 – and have one daughter who is currently in Year 4, as well as two older children.

    Tracey Fisher ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category: Associate Member

    Appointed: Appointed by the governing body

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

    Committee representation: Resources Committee

    Position of responsibility: Financial & Premises reporting (no voting rights)

    Business interests: None

    Interests in other educational settings: None

    Relationships: None

    Victoria Burt ▾ (click here to expand bio)

    Category: Staff

    Appointed/Elected: Elected by staff

    Term of Office: 02.12.15 – 01.12..2020

    Committee representation: School Improvement

    Position of responsibility: None

    Business Interests: Teacher

    Interest in other educational establishments: 

    Relationships: None

    Bio

    I have been a teacher at St Catherine's for 6 years. I qualified in London ten years ago and taught in various schools in London, Hampshire and Bristol before settling in Hertfordshire. I really enjoy working at St Catherine's and as maths coordinator my passion is to ensure that all children enjoy this subject and feel that they are able to achieve. So many children believe that they "can't do maths". I hope that at St Catherine's we are breaking down these barriers and enabling all children to have confidence in their abilities.

    Outside school I have various interests. I have helped to set up an orphanage in Ghana - currently we look after and school 14 children. We are working on building a large extension to the existing building so that more children can be looked after and receive an education. I am a member of an amateur dramatic group, I go to the gym regularly and I like going for long walks with my dog, Wilbur! I wanted to become a governor because I think it is important for the staff to be represented on the governing body and I think it is really interesting to see how this important part of the school community works.