Our Governors

Our Governing Body consists of a body of twelve people who speak and act on behalf of the key groups in our school - the pupils, the parents, the staff, the LA and the parish.

These people, some who are appointed, some who are elected, meet regularly throughout the year to discuss matters relating to Curriculum, Finance, Staffing, Safeguarding, Ethos and Admissions.

All Governors serve for four years.

All work together for the good of the school, ensuring that decisions are in line with current legislation and expectations. They support the Head teacher in monitoring, planning ahead, raising standards, budgetary control, prioritising needs and ensuring the smooth running of the school continues to cater well for the children of St Mary's. Some governors also liaise with specific subject leaders in monitoring specific subjects – these are known as Link Governors and report back to the full Governing Body on their findings.
 
Governor Spotlights
 

  • Mr Wintrip

    Foundation Governor, Chair of Governors and Safeguarding Representative

    gwintrip@st-maryangel.walsall..sch.uk

    Mr Gerry Wintrip is our Chair of Governors and our Safeguarding Link Governor. As a policeman, he brings much to the Governing Body and sees things pragmatically and logically.
    He is known to many in a variety of ways- as an ex parent, as a parishioner and altar server, and as an ex PTA member too. He is also often in school for meetings, for events, as a link governor and is also a welcome member of many social events.. He has been persuaded to help out with our Alton Castle residential, in recent years, and insists that he really enjoys it. He is a great lover of a good cup of tea and coffee, and not averse to a quality biscuit either!

  • Mrs Michelle Anderson

    Foundation Governor and Wider Learning Link Governor

    Mrs Anderson is a qualified counsellor, locally, supporting a positive mental wellbeing with children and adults alike. She also has vast knowledge of the workings of the school, at senior leadership level, as she was our much loved Deputy head teacher for many years. As an excellent practitioner, who has also supported other schools in the diocese, on safeguarding, curriculum and teaching and learning, she has much to bring to the Governors' table; all of which she does with loyalty, objectivity and attention to detail. She is highly respected by all and we are always pleased to see her.

  • Mrs Catherine Corbert

    Foundation Governor and SEN Link Governor

    Mrs Corbert is a long standing parishioner, whose children have all moved through St Mary's and now attend St Francis of Assisi. Her background is in nursing.
    She is always willing to lend a hand and was a very active member of the PTA , in the past serving as joint chair and then Chair, before stepping down. She can always be relied upon to read all documentation sent to her and is a rock of sense.
    She also serves on the Admissions Committee , at present.

  • Fr Craig Davies

    Foundation Governor R.E Link Governor and and Spiritual Guidance

    Fr Craig knows our children and the workings of the school, really well. He is often in school helping us with his spiritual guidance and support. He liaises with the parish community and helps us in our sacramental celebrations and in our celebration of Mass. As our R.E Link Governor, he is also highly supportive and proud of the R.E that takes place in school- from Catholic Life to R.E lessons. He makes us all smile regularly and has an amazing memory for children's names. We look forward to hearing his voice around school and know that he likes rocky bars and chocolate biscuits with his tea.

  • Mrs Gill Davin

    Local Authority Representative and Science Link Governor

    Mrs Davin's background is in Retail and Management. She is a practising Catholic and also a grandmother to one of our younger children. She currently serves on the FGB and also on the Resource Committee.
    She supports in school alongside Mrs Anderson, specifically linking in with Science in school. She is also someone we look forward to seeing in school, for whatever reason- as grandmother or governor.

  • Mrs Chris Hopkinson

    Foundation Governor and Literacy/Pastoral Link Governor

    Mrs Hopkinson has had a long association with the school. She was acting head teacher, at St Mary of the Angels in 2010-2011. She is the link governor for Literacy and has visited the school to meet with the Literacy lead and participate in learning walks around the school. Mrs Hopkinson was very supportive of our remote learning, during Lockdown and took time to monitor and know well the processes that were in place to support our children, at that time. She now links with Pastoral development, across the school, also. She has good experience of Governance and is currently Chair of Governors at Maryvale Catholic School also . She is a hugely supportive governor and brings with her a great working knowledge of the profession- at many levels. We look forward to seeing her in school and we forgive her for having a boot in two camps... in fact, we benefit from it!

  • Mr Phil Probert

    Foundation Governor and H& S Link Governor

    Mr Phil Probert is one of our Foundation Governors. He has great experience in site and premises management and is an active member of the parish. Phil is very supportive of our Premises management and is always available to support H& S Inspections and their outcomes. He also has an interest in the school as a grandparent of two children in school currently. He is also a welcome volunteer in school- always with a ready smile and a genuine love of children, which only Grandads have!

  • Mr Rob Linley

    Parent representative Governor and Maths Link Governor

    Rob has been on the Governing Body since Autumn 2021. His experience has been largely virtual so far, however he was welcomed to his first "Live" meeting in March, this year. Rob has a financial background and supports a local MAT ( Multi Academy Trust) as part of his work. For that reason, he has been drafted in to support the Resources Committee, which deals with staffing premises and all finance related issues. Rob asks pertinent questions in a supportive way. We are glad to welcome him to the board. Rob is Dad to a lovely little lad in our current Reception class. He therefore brings parenthood and being a modern "hands on" Dad to the equation, also.

  • Mrs Penny Ward

    Staff elected Governor

    Mrs Ward is the Office Manager at St Mary of the Angels as well as being staff governor. She is passionate about the school and it shows in all that she does. She has a wealth of knowledge about admissions and attendance and uses her role in school to facilitate and improve communication, between governors, parents and staff effectively. She has a wicked sense of humour, which surfaces often in school, but knows the importance of her role in promoting the image of the school, effectively.

  • Mrs Sadie Roberts

    Parent representative Governor and Early Years' link Governor

    Sadie is a really supportive member of the team. Like Rob, her initial experiences were virtual, through necessity, Increasingly, she is now able to come into school, since March 2022. Sadie is an Assistant Head at St Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, with a strong working knowledge of safeguarding and great expertise in Science and IT as a teaching specialism. Sadie's two children are in KS1 and KS2, so she knows what it is like to be a "parent" at St Mary's also. We are really pleased to see her ever ready smile whenever she visits us, in whatever capacity.

  • Mrs Claire O'Hara

    Head teacher

    cohara@st-maryangel.walsall.sch.uk

    Mrs O'Hara has been Head teacher at St Mary's for almost 11 years now. She knows all families and children and is able to use her experience as a teacher, leader, parent herself and governor, to guide the supportive Governing Body in their decision making, She has a wealth of knowledge about the workings of other schools and authorities, which also gives breadth to the decision making for St Mary's Governors. Finally, she is an active member of the Walsall Catholic Cluster of 11 schools.
    The one way to her heart is to arrive at all meetings with a large mug of tea!