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, 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.

Jean Legg ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Local Authority

Appointed/Elected: Appointed by governing board

Position of responsibility: · Link governor for Literacy

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

Committee representation: School Improvement Committee

Business Interests: None

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

Relationships: None

Bio: I am a "people person" and have person-based skills. I am an effective listener able to actively listen and reflect upon discussions. I can see different viewpoints and am bale to articulate differing perspectives in an objective way. I am an incredibly honest person and yet I know with honesty it is also necessary to be diplomatic; most of the time, I am able to be honest and diplomatic. I have an incredibly deep passion for education and its ability to be a leveller in society and enable children to achieve personal goals and future potential. I am a reflective person. I use my reflection to take regard of different perspectives and opportunities with the intention of making the best decision "at that time". I am committed to improving educational opportunities for all children with the intention that social mobility becomes a choice - not a chance.

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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

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

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.

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 Committee

Position of Responsibiltiy ·Link governor for Health & Safety, Link governor for Science.
· Link governor for Science and Health & Safety

Business Interests: None

Interest in other educational establishments: None

Relationships: None

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 Governor

Appointed/Elected: Appointed/Elected by parents

Term of Office: 01.10.2016 – 30.09.2020

Committee representation: School Improvement and Performance Review Committee

Position of responsibility:· Link governor for Project-based Learning and History

Business Interests: None

Interest in other educational establishments: None

Relationships: None

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: School Improvement Committee

Position of responsibility: Link governor for PE, Sports Premium and Physical development in EYFS

Business Interests: None

Interest in other educational establishments: Teacher in Hertfordshire School

Relationships: None

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: Co-opted governor

Appointed/Elected: Appointed by the Governing Board.

Term of Office: 25.10.2018 – 24.10.2022

Committee representation: School Improvement Committee. SIAMS Working Party.

Position of responsibility: None SIAMS Working Party.

Business Interests: Employed as a teacher at St. Catherine’s School.

Interest in other educational establishments: None

Relationships: None

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.

Reverend Rachel Pennant ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Foundation governor. Ex-Officio

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: None

Interests in other educational settings: None

Relationships: None

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Julia Thurlow ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Co-Opted

Appointed: Appointed by the governing body

Term of Office: 25.03.2019 – 24.03.2023

Committee representation: Resources

Position of responsibility: · Link governor for numeracy. Monitoring the website. Maintaining the Policy Schedule, and Governor training record

Business interests: None

Interests in other educational settings: Teaching Assistant at Middleton School, Ware

Relationships: None

Bio: I worked as an ISO 9001 Quality Management Lead Auditor at UK Power Networks before taking a career break. I was subsequently appointed as a Teaching Assistant at Middleton School in Ware in February 2019. I have a keen interest in primary age special needs education, and am learning a lot in my new role. I have been a member of the governing body since March 2016, and had experience as a member of the Children's Centre Advisory Board prior to this.

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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

Position of responsibility: · Link governor for 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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Graeme Stewart ▾ (click here to expand bio)

Category: Co-Opted

Appointed: Appointed by the governing board

Term of Office: 05/03/2018 – 04/03/2022

Committee representation: Resources Committee

Business interests: to be confirmed

Position of responsibility: · Chair of the Resources Committee. Link governor for EYFS.

Interests in other educational settings: to be confirmed

Relationships: to be confirmed

Bio: Along with my family we moved to Hoddesdon in the summer of 2016 to take up my role as the Minister of Riverside Church. I have a 7 year old son who currently attends St Catherine’s, and before studying for a degree in theology I was in the financial services sector for over ten years gaining experience within the property, mortgage and pensions environment. I was always an active volunteer at the church I attended helping lead the music group at church, regularly playing the guitar, and helping lead services. I would be happy to assist in special services throughout the year at school such as Christmas and Easter if needed.

From my previous career and in my current role at Riverside, I believe visions, aims, and targets are achieved when people work as a team. I look forward to working with, and helping the governors in any way I can in order to help the head teachers, staff and pupils achieve all they want to achieve in order to help make St Catherine’s the best it can be.

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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 Resources Committee

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: Jay Raynham

Category: Parent

Appointed/Elected: Elected by Parents

Committee representation: Resources