Governors

Governor Register of Interests: as at January 2019

*Co-opted membership is by decision of the Governing Body.

Governor Biographies

Howard Anthony

Why I chose to be a governor: To support my local school and church.  I was a pupil at the school in the 80s/90s and wanted to give back with my time and skills to help support this wonderful school.

What I do professionally: I manage South Ribble Partnership, which is the local strategic partnership for the borough and is a cross sector body of organisations that come together to develop services and projects to benefit the local community. I am also a Justice of the Peace (a lay justice) and regularly sit in Adult Criminal Court.

What I like to do in my spare time: I like to travel, read and cook.

Steven Broomhead

Why I chose to be a governor: To attempt to bring my knowledge and experience of the business and education sectors to benefit the young people and staff who attend this great school.

What I do professionally: I have a diverse set of professional commitments:  Chair of Recycling Lives, a locally based business and charity employing over 250 people, Chair of Warrington Wolves Rugby League Club, Leadership of Warrington Borough Council, and Trustee of the National Football Museum.

What I like to do in my spare time: Manage my diary and look after my wife

Julie Ann Dickinson-Warren

Why I chose to be a Governor

I have been attending St Marys Church for the last 5 years since moving into the area.  I was very pleased to be asked by Sue Mills if I would consider being a Foundation Governor  at St Marys Primary School.  I feel that its important to build support between the Parish Church and its schools, so I was happy to accept.  I have Grandchildren and nephews and nieces at various stages of their education and so I am very interested in how the education system  is changing and developing.

What I do Professionally

I am now retired but my working life was spent working in the Department of Work and Pensions, I have also spent time as a mentor for 16-19 year old young people on Apprenticeship schemes.  The last part of my work career was spent with  AA Breakdown where I worked as a call center Trainer

What I like to do in my spare time

I am currently studying part time with the Open University and very much enjoy the challenge.  I also spend time with my  family, we are a close but rather large widespread family so travel is often involved in family gatherings.  I am also actively  involved  with St Marys,  St Vincent De Paul Team and also with other groups within the Parish.

Emma Gardner

Why I chose to be a governor:  As I have a daughter and also a niece in school, I was keen to become involved with the governing body at St Mary’s Primary school. I hope to use my experience gained through my training and employment to support the school and felt this would be a good opportunity  to contribute to both the school and local community.

What I do professionally: I have worked with children and young people for 18 years now and been qualified as a social worker for 10 years. I currently work for a local independent Fostering Agency both assessing potential foster carers and support Foster carers and the looked after children and young people in placement.

What I like to do in my spare time:

• Spending time with my family
• Eating Out
• Swimming
• Listening to Music

Staff Governor

Why I chose to be a governor:

What I do professionally:

What I like to do in my spare time:

Anne Lee

Why I chose to be a governor: I support the school as a governor as I want to put something back into school life and continue to make be a positive influence on the children’s education. I am also keen to retain my ties with the school and the local community. I enjoy working alongside a team of like minded people who put the wellbeing, development and progress of the children first. It is a challenging role at times but it is also rewarding .

What I do professionally: Before retirement I taught at St. Mary’s for 19 years.

What I like to do in my spare time:

• I still enjoy coming into St Mary’s to lead singing with the junior children each week.
• Singing is a big part of my life as I am a member of a local choir and also sing with the Folk Group in church.
• I am still involved in education as I work part-time for Cumbria University, mentoring students who are on teaching placements and this keeps me up to date with the many changes that take place in education.

Janet Malone

Why I chose to be a governor:

As a member of the St Mary's parish, I feel that it is important to have positive links with school and the parish community. I look forward to sharing some time and skills to support the excellent work of this Catholic school.

What I do professionally:

I am a retired teacher. I had a very happy career in primary education and this is a time for me to give back to my community.

What I like to do in my spare time:

With my husband we enjoy spending time with our grandchildren and when they are with us there are opportunities to do more baking. I enjoy walking and singing in a local choir.

Tony Matthews

Why I chose to be a governor: As an active member of St Mary’s parish I was happy to accept a request from our parish priest to be a governor. My children all attended catholic schools in Leyland, and I am keen to help St Mary’s in any way I can. I hope that the experience I gained during my working life will help in supporting staff and parents to enrich the educational experience of all pupils.

What I do professionally: I am now retired after spending all my working life in the NHS. During that time I worked in different areas of England, mainly in information and IT systems. I was part of the service that provides information to support many aspects of NHS working, including public health, and also spent 10 years as a hospital IT Manager. Latterly I worked within community services within central Lancashire.

What I like to do in my spare time:

• Cycling
• Running
• Playing the guitar
• Mountain walking
• Visiting family who live in different parts of the country.

Sue Mills

Why I chose to be a governor: Retired from 36 years teaching at Leyland St Mary’s High School where I was SEN Coordinator, Science teacher, and previously Head of Year and Head of PE.  Now ready to use my experience to support other schools.

What I like to do in my spare time:

• supporting Preston North End ,
• learning Italian,
• occasionally volunteering for the education-side of the RSPB
• regularly helping with the Food Bank at church.

Louise Robinson

Why I choose to be a governor:

I would like to contribute my time to the school. Previously, I worked in a Nursery Setting and Childrens Centre with support staff, which I enjoyed. I hope to bring my knowledge and experiences to St Mary’s.

What I do professionally:

I currently work for Lancashire County Council in School Improvement as a Business Support Officer. I have worked in other departments of Children's Services too.

What I like to do in my spare time:

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, learning the piano and photography.

Governor Meeting Attendance