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!

  • Fr Ramesh Echu

    Parish Priest

    Fr Ramesh is getting to know 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. He makes us all smile regularly and has an amazing memory for children's names.

  • 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 and higher education. 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.

  • Mrs Chris Hopkinson

    Foundation Governor and Literacy/Pastoral Link Governor

    Mrs Hopkinson has had a long association with the school. She s now Vice Chair of the Governing Body and is also the link governor for Literacy. She has visited the school to meet with the Literacy lead and participate in learning walks around the school. 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 Rob Linley

    Parent representative Governor and Maths Link Governor

    Rob has been on the Governing Body since Autumn 2021. 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 school. He therefore brings parenthood and being a modern "hands on" Dad to the equation, also.

  • Mrs Caroline Kennedy

    Staff elected Governor

    Mrs Kennedy is a Teaching Assistant at St Mary of the Angels as well as being staff governor. She is a long-standing member of staff and passionate about the school - she shows in all that she does. Mrs Kennedy has a passion for supporting children academically and is also extremely skilled at offering them emotional and nurturing support to help boost children's wellbeing and resilience.

  • Mrs Sadie Roberts

    Parent representative Governor and Early Years' link Governor

    Sadie is a really supportive member of the team. Sadie is a Deputy Headteacher at St Thomas More Catholic Secondary School, with a strong working knowledge of school leadership, safeguarding and great expertise in Science and IT as a teaching specialism. Sadie's two children are in our school, 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.

  • Mr Martin Baker

    Foundation Governor and EYFS and Wider Learning Link Governor

    Martin brings youth and height to our Governing Body! He has an excellent working knowledge of the secondary Catholic education system to bring to the discussion, being Assistant Principal at Bishop Milner Catholic Secondary School. He comes with a great recommendation from many of our parishioners and offers lots of curriculum support in school, in his role as EYFS and Wider Learning link governor.

  • Mrs Natalie Hill

    Head teacher

    nhill@st-maryangel.walsall.sch.uk

    Mrs Hill was appointed head teacher here at St Mary's in September 2022. She comes with a wealth of experience to draw upon and has worked in a large, outstanding, local, Catholic, primary school. What she does not know about children is really not worth knowing! Mrs Hill is no stranger to St Mary's- as a Mum of two, who are both in school, she knows much about the workings of the school, especially about our expectations and level of challenge that we advocate to all children. She has much to offer in adding to and enhancing excellent provision here at school.

Vacancies
 
We have vacancies for one Local Authority Governors.
We have two vacancies for Foundation Governors. 
Foundation Governors are practising Catholics, appointed in the name of the Archbishop and form the majority of the Governing Body of a Catholic school. They have a legal duty to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school and to ensure that the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed. 
 

Governing boards have three core functions:

  1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction;
  2. Holding executive leaders to account for the educational performance of the organisation and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
  3. Overseeing the financial performance of the organisation and making sure its money is well spent.
If you would like any further information, please contact the school office.