Governor Roles & Responsibilities

The Governing Body

The Governing Body consists of sixteen members. The full Governing Body meets usually once in each of the six academic terms, with additional sub-committees meeting more regularly. The committee structure deals with specific issues relating to finance, Christian vision, curriculum, student achievement, student welfare, the joint Sixth Form with St Mark’s, premises, and staffing.

Foundation Governors (9) appointed by the Diocese of Clifton

Mr John Eddison

Committee Membership: Finance & Premises, Strategic Committee
Term of Office: 01/09/17 – 31/08/21
Responsibilities: Chair of Governing Body, Chair of Strategic Committee, Chair of Finance & Premises Committee
Declarations of Interest: None
Attendance Summary 2019/20: FGB: 100%, F&P: 100%, Staffing: 100%

Further Information +

I have been a Governor since 2001, currently as a Foundation Governor, and previously as a Parent Governor when my children were at St Gregory’s. I am Chair of the Finance & Premises Committee. I live in Bath and work for the MoD in Bristol as a naval architect. Being a Governor gives me an opportunity to contribute to the development of St Gregory’s as an outstanding school and especially to the creation of a Christian sixth form in Bath, as the next stage in our journey.

Mr Peter Irvine CBE

Committee Membership: Christian Vision, Curriculum & Achievement, Joint 6th Form committees
Term of Office: 01/09/19 – 31/08/23
Responsibilities: Chair of Curriculum & Achievement Committee
Declarations of Interest: None
Attendance Summary 2019/20: C&A 100%, FGB 60%.

Further Information +

I became a foundation governor for St Mary’s parish in Bath in 2011. I was HMI for schools and colleges until 2002 when I became an independent consultant, working for several national and international bodies including the NHS, the European commission and the Catholic Education Service. I am strongly supportive of the joint sixth form project and hope to contribute to establishing a vibrant ecumenical sixth form in Bath.

Mrs Christine James

Committee Membership: Christian Vision, Curriculum & Achievement, Staffing
Term of Office: 18/06/18 – 17/06/22
Responsibilities: Nil
Declarations of Interest: Related to a member of staff; Family Business: hardware and DIY shop; Employed as Exam Invigilator.
Attendance Summary 2019/20: C&A 0%, CV 50%, FGB 40%, Staffing: 33%.

Further Information +

I was a Foundation Governor from 2007 until 2015, an Associate Member of the Governing Body from 2015 to 2016, and a Co-opted Governor from 2016 to 2018. I serve on the Staffing, Christian Vision and Curriculum & Achievement Committees. I attended St John’s School and was one of the first pupils at Cardinal Newman School when it opened in 1961. My husband and I run a retail business in Bath. Our two children attended St John’s and St Gregory’s. I have been an active member of the PTA and PTFA at both schools and have always had a keen interest in Catholic education. I am a parishioner of St John the Evangelist in Bath and a member of St John’s Parish Council.

Ms Clare Murray

Committee Membership: Christian Vision, Full Governing Body
Term of Office: 01/03/19 – 28/02/23
Responsibilities: Data Governor
Declarations of Interest: TBC
Attendance Summary 2019/20: CV: 50%, FGB: 40%

Further Information +

Mrs Judith Starkey

Committee Membership: Christian Vision, Staffing, Finance & Premises
Term of Office:17/03/20– 16/03/24
Responsibilities: Wellbeing Governor
Attendance Summary 2019/20: N/A

Further Information +

Mr David Tilling

Committee Membership: Christian Vision and Full Governing Body
Term of Office: 09/04/19 – 08/04/23
Responsibilities: Religious Education Governor
Declarations of Interest: TBC
Attendance Summary 2019/20: CV: 100%, FGB: 80%

Further Information +

I have over 48 years’ experience as a teacher including over 30 years’ experience as a Headteacher. My headships experience is across four primary schools including community and church schools with pupil numbers ranging from 90 to 600, mostly serving less advantaged communities.

I have a wide experience supporting school improvement on behalf of the Local Authority and supporting school leaders in challenging circumstances, with a proven track record of such support leading schools to making sustained progress.

Since 2014 I have been Executive Principal of an academy trust of 15 schools with age ranges varying from 3 to 19.

My focus as Executive Principal within the Trust is supporting the development and well-being of Trust Headteachers and other leaders and supporting school improvement and excellence generally.

Mrs Louise Walker

Committee Membership: Christian Vision, Curriculum & Achievement, Strategic
Term of Office: 13/12/17 – 12/12/21
Responsibilities: Religious Education Governor
Declarations of Interest: None
Attendance Summary 2019/20: C&A: 100%, CV 100%, FGB 100%, Staffing 100%

Further Information +

I was appointed as a foundation governor by Bishop Declan in January 2018. I have taught Home Economics at schools in West Sussex, Bristol and at St Gregory’s. Since having my three children I have worked as a freelance home economist for a variety of food and appliance companies. I have also written a number of cookery books.

I am currently a parishioner of St John the Evangelist, Bath and I am a strong supporter of faith education. I am on the Curriculum and Achievement committee, the Strategic Committee and the Christian Vision Committee where I have responsibility for Religious Education.

1 x Vacancy

Parent Governors (2) elected by Parents

Mr Mark Bradley

Committee Membership: Finance & Premises, Staffing, Strategic committees
Term of Office: 06/03/18 – 05/03/22
Responsibilities: Health & Safety Governor
Declarations of Interest: Nil
Attendance Summary 2019/20: F&P 100%, FGB 100%, Staffing 100%

Further Information +

I am a parent Governor having been elected in March 18. I worship at St John’s Bath, and have 8 years’ experience governing in a Christian primary and wish to share my knowledge. I want to help the school to further develop and deliver outstanding education for our children that remains relevant in these dynamic times, but built on Christian foundations.

I have chaired a school Premises Health and Safety committee. Professionally I am a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Project Manager having led Major Programmes for the government, so am used to financial management, safety management and human resources issues. I also have experience teaching teenagers in several outdoor education settings.

Mrs Nicole Pecchia

Committee Membership: Christian Vision, Curriculum & Achievement committees
Term of Office: 12/12/16 – 11/12/20
Responsibilities: Careers Governor
Declarations of Interest: None
Attendance Summary 2019/20: C&A 100%, CV 100%, FGB 100%.

Further Information +

I was elected as a Parent Governor in 2016 when my daughter started at St Gregory’s. I am currently Chair of the Christian Vision Committee and also serve on the Curriculum and Achievement Committee. I also support the school with our young people’s futures as the Careers Governor.

Since 1997, I have taught at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, a feeder Primary and more recently part of the Camino Partnership. I am a member of St Mary’s church and having assisted as a First Holy Communion catechist for a couple of years, I now run the programme at school.

The Catholic ethos is very important to the school and I aspire to support the school to uphold their mission statement for our children.

Local Authority Governor (1) appointed by Local Authority and Governing Body

Mr Simon Cooper

Committee Membership: Curriculum & Achievement, Strategic committees
Term of Office: 17/04/18 – 16/04/22
Responsibilities: Special Educational Needs Governor
Declarations of Interest: Governor of: Oldfield Park Junior School (resigning), Venturers’ Academy, Bristol.
Attendance Summary 2019/20: C&A: 100%, FGB 40%

Further Information +

Simon Cooper is Global Communications Lead for the UNDP Green Commodities Programme and Good Growth Partnership, working on highly-traded commodities such as palm oil, beef and soy.

Simon spent 25 years as a broadcaster before becoming Communications Director at Classic FM, the UK radio station. With a first degree in Geography from Cambridge University, he graduated in 2005 with an MSc from the Responsibility and Business Practice course set up by Anita Roddick at the University of Bath.

He is SEND Governor at St Gregory’s and is also a Governor at Venturers’ Academy in Bristol, the school for children with a primary diagnosis of autism.

Co-opted Governors (2) appointed by Governing Body

Rear Admiral Steve Brunton CBE

Committee Membership: Finance & Premises, Strategic Committees
Term of Office: 10/09/19 – 09/09/23
Responsibilities: Vice Chair of Governing Body, Premises Governor, ICT Governor
Declarations of Interest: None
Attendance Summary 2019/20: F&P 100%, FGB 80%

Further Information +

I have been a Governor since 2015 as a Co-opted Governor and was previously a Governor in 2000-2006 when my children were at St Gregory’s. I live in Bath and run my own consultancy specialising in independent advice on large complex programmes. I retired from the Royal Navy in 2014 after 36 years of public service. I enjoy working to improve organisations and being a Governor gives me an opportunity to contribute to the development of St Gregory’s as an outstanding school. I am particularly interested in the premises and ICT in the school and am the Governor lead in both.

Dr Paul Cox

Committee Membership: Curriculum & Achievement, Strategic committees
Term of Office: 10/07/18 – 09/07/22
Responsibilities: Pupil Premium Governor
Declarations of Interest: None
Attendance Summary 2019/20: C&A: 100%, FGB: 40%

Further Information +

I have a portfolio career in which part of my week is in London as an investment practitioner at a large financial organisation, and part is spent as an academic teaching at University of Bath and West of England Business Schools. My PhD is in finance.

Over the years I have acquired a deep and practical working knowledge of university programmes and admissions, as well as the careers and skills needed by the UK financial services sector. I am passionate about education and delighted to be a Saint Gregory’s Governor.

Headteacher Governor (1) appointed by Governing Body

Ms Ann Cusack

Committee Membership: Christian Vision, Curriculum & Achievement, Finance & Premises, Joint Executive, Joint 6th Form, Staffing, Strategic Committee
Term of Office: 01/09/16 – N/A
Responsibilities: Nil
Declarations of Interest: Family business: photographers
Attendance Summary 2019/20: C&A 75%, CV 50%, F&P 100%, FGB 100%, Staffing 100%

Further Information +

Staff Governor (1) elected by Staff

Mr Cameron Boutland-Smith

Committee Membership: Curriculum & Achievement, Strategic committees
Term of Office: 02/10/18 – 01/10/22
Responsibilities: Nil
Declarations of Interest: None
Attendance Summary 2019/20: CV: 25%, FGB: 60%

Further Information +

Associate Members (2) of the Governing Body appointed by Governing Body (with voting rights)

Mrs Anne Barrett

Committee Membership: Curriculum & Achievement
Term of Office: 04/12/18 – 03/12/22
Responsibilities: Nil
Declarations of Interest: None
Voting Rights: Full for committees.
Attendance Summary 2019/20: C&A 25%, CV 50%, F&P 100%, FGB 60%

Further Information +

I was Head of School at St Gregory’s from September 2011 until August 2014, and previously Deputy Headteacher since 1996. Prior to that I was a Senior Adviser for a Local Authority with cross- phase responsibility. I am also an experienced Ofsted and Diocesan Inspector. I am actively involved in Our Lady and St Alphege’s parish, where I am reader and a member of the music group. Both my children attended St Gregory’s.

Previous Governors who have served during the previous 12 months are:

Ms Lisa Whitfield

Committee Membership: Admissions, Staffing
Term of Office: 03/02/18 – 02/02/22
Responsibilities: Chair of Staffing Committee, Data Governor
Declarations of Interest: B&NES Appeal panel member; Clerk to Governors of St Mary’s, Bath; Business interest: Mindfulness for Schools; Employed at University of Bath.
Attendance Summary 2017/18: FGB 50%, Staffing 100%.

Further Information +

I became a Foundation Governor in 2018. Prior to that was a foundation governor at St Mary’s Catholic primary in Bath for a number of years. My children attend St Gregory’s and I am passionate about Catholic education.

I am a solicitor with a corporate/employment law background, but I now work in education and specialise in Education Law. I now work in-house for the University of Bath. I have also been very involved with my parish for the last few years and served as a member of the children’s liturgy team and as a first communion Catechist.

Mrs Liz Dodgson

Committee Membership: Staffing
Term of Office: 28/11/17 – 27/11/21
Responsibilities: Educational Visits Coordinator
Declarations of Interest: None
Voting Rights: Full for committees
Attendance Summary 2017/18: FGB 33%, Staffing 0%.

Further Information +

Mrs Deirdre Hirst

Committee Membership: Finance & Premises, Staffing
Term of Office: 01/02/16 – 31/01/20
Responsibilities: Nil
Declarations of Interest: None
Attendance Summary 2017/18: F&P 80%, FGB 71%, Staffing 67%.

Further Information +

I was elected as a Parent Governor in March 2013 ,and I became a Foundation Governor in 2016. I currently serve on the Finance & Premises and Staffing Committees. I have two children and have worked as an NHS hospital pharmacist for more than 21 years. One of the main roles in my job is to ensure we have the correct funding and systems in place to facilitate the implementation of National (NICE) guidelines. I am a member of Our Lady and St Alphege’s Parish and assisted as a First Communion catechist for a number of years. I want to assist the staff in maintaining high standards and values.

The Governing Body is formed under an Instrument of Government which took effect from 23/06/2015.