OFSTED April 2017 Key Comments: 

  • ‘Pupils shine at this school because they benefit enormously from being part of the ‘St James family’, a supportive and caring community. They are happy and safe in school.’
  • ‘The conduct of pupils in this school, the way they interact with each other and adults, is impeccable – in fact, it is the best I have ever seen’ (Feedback from HMI to School Governors, Local Authority and Diocesan representatives)
  • Pupils readily respond to leaders’ high expectations evident in the ‘SHINE’ ethos. As a result, they ‘Speak politely, Have respect, follow Instructions, Never say never and Engage positively’ in all that they do
  • ‘Pupils work exceptionally well together’
  • ‘Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning, they are curious and want to achieve their best.’
  • ‘Pupils know what it means to be ‘ready to learn’’
  • ‘Pupils’ conduct is exemplary. They show high levels of respect for each other and for their teachers and teaching assistants.
  • ‘Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is a strength of the school’
  • ‘The school's work to promote pupils' personal development and welfare is outstanding. Leaders make sure that pupils are cared for exceptionally well’
  • ‘Staff are proud to be a member of staff at this school’
  • ‘Pupils, including the most able, are challenged by their work’
  • ‘Pupils are taught the skills needed to become thoughtful, self-confident citizens, able to express their views and opinions.’
  • ‘Progress overall is much better than that of similar-ability pupils nationally’
  • ‘Key stage 4 outcomes in GCSE examinations demonstrate consistently strong progress over each of the last three years’
  • ‘Parents have highly-positive views of the school and confirm their children are safe and happy at this school. They greatly appreciate the pastoral care and support provided.’
  • ‘Pupils say they feel safe at school, they say there are no bullies and are confident they would be listened to if they shared a concern with a teacher or pastoral leader.’
  • ‘Governors know the strengths of the school and where there are further improvements still to be made.’
  • ‘Pupils enjoy coming to school.’
  • ‘Pupils, including the most able, are challenged by their work because most teachers have high expectations of pupils and plan work which is hard enough for them.’
  • ‘Pupils learn well and make excellent progress because teaching in English, mathematics and most other subjects is consistently good.’
  • ‘Leaders have successfully introduced a more ambitious culture in the school based upon high expectations.’
  • ‘Pupils typically make good progress because teachers have strong subject knowledge, which they use well to plan interesting and challenging work for pupils.’
  • ‘Teaching assistants support pupils well in lessons, including low-ability pupils and those who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, who need extra help.’

School Governors

    Term of Office Business interests or other Governance roles Material interests   
         

Chairman (Foundation):   

Mrs Susan Breckell - All Committees. Chair of Standards

01/09/12 - 31/08/16 (parent) moved to Foundation status on 20/9/16-31/8/2020

Chair of Governors from 1/11/2016

  Exams Officer at Withington Girls School 2017 Daughter of Mrs Monaghan

Vice Chair(Parent):

Mrs Louise Maguire - Resources & Standards

31/10/16 - 31/08/2020

    

 Headteacher: 

Mr Anthony Pontifex  - All Committees

 01/01/19    

Foundation:

Mrs Christine Connolly - Policy & Practice

 01/09/14 - 31/08/22    Mother of Mrs R Wheelan (left 31/08/18) mother in law of Mr E Wheelan (Teachers)

Foundation:

Mr Paul Carter - Resources & Standards

 01/04/14 - 31/08/22    

Foundation:

Mrs Margaret Monaghan - All Committees

 01/09/12 - 31/08/20   Mother of Mrs S Beckell

Foundation:

Mrs Jane Gay - All Committees

01/09/12- 31/08/20

    none

Foundation:

Mr John Livesey Resources

 01/09/12 - 31/08/20   Husband of Mrs P Livesey(Deputy Head) father of Miss C Livesey (ex TA)

Foundation:

Mrs Karen Carter -  Standards & Policy & Practice. Chair of Policy & Practice

01/09/12 - 31/08/20

    none

Foundation:

Fr David Long - Chair of Resources 

 01/03/18 - 31/08/22    

Teacher:

Ms Olivia Woods - Policy & Practice

  01/09/11 -31/08/21    none

Co-Opted:

Mrs Patricia Livesey Deputy Head (staff) - All Committees

  01/09/18 -    Wife of Mr J Livesey

Parent Governor:

Mrs Louise Bolam Resources

 31/10/16 31/08/2020  St Peter's Catholic Primary School none

Ex-Governor:

Mrs Patricia Warrington - Curriculum & Pupils  & Resources

 01/09/12 - 08/09/15   Aunt of Mrs D Rarity (teacher)

Ex-Governor:

Mrs Ruth Hind Curriculum & Pupils

  01/01/11 - 31/12/14    

Ex-Governor:

Mrs Michelle Steer Curriculum & Pupils

 01/09/12 - 31/08/2016    

Ex-Governor:

Mrs Eileen Wilkinson - Curriculum & Pupils

  01/09/12 - 31/08/16    

Ex-Governor:

Fr Pat Munroe Resources

 01.09.12 - 10.5.20 (but moved parish 08/17)    
 Ex-Governor:

Mrs Helen Foster-Grime  Standards & Resources. Chair of Resources

  01/09/14 - 31/08/2018 Neville Road Junior School  
Ex-Govenor:

Mrs Clare Hogg Executive Headteacher

 01/09/18-31/12/18  Headteacher St Thomas More, Crewe  

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED LINKS FOR GOVERNOR ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

Download: Attendance 2014 2015 Attendance 2015 2016 Attendance 2016 2017 Attendance 2017 2018

Metropolitan Borough of Stockport

 Executive Member (Education Portfolio):

Councillor Shan Alexander

Director for Children & Young Peoples’ Services:   

Mr A Webb

 

Roles & Responsibilities of a Foundation Governor of a Catholic School

Foundation Governors form the majority on a Catholic school's governing body. They have the responsibility of assisting the bishop by sustaining and developing the Catholic ethos and distinctive Catholic nature of the school in which they serve. To this end, Foundation Governors have a specific commission that takes the form of an undertaking to ensure that the school, of which the Foundation Governor is a member of that school’s Governing Body, is at all times conducted in accord with the provisions of the Diocese of Shrewsbury Trust Deed, such determinations made by the Bishop and his Trustees and follows the following principles:

  • To give clear witness, as individuals and as a team, to the teaching of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and assume responsibility for governing the School according to Canon Law, the Catechism, and the teachings of the Catholic Church in general and Diocesan norms in particular.
  • To comply with the guidance on admissions, staffing, building maintenance and curriculum as published by the Bishop or his delegate through the Diocesan Schools Commission and convey this to the other members of the governing body.
  • To seek to appoint Catholic teachers who combine personal conviction and practice of the Faith with the qualities and experience required by particular posts.
  • To represent the Bishop or his delegate on the Governing Body with particular reference to the Catholic ethos of the school by ensuring that the whole curriculum of the school is rooted in an understanding of life in conformity with the teaching of the Gospel and the Catholic Church.
  • To achieve this, they must ensure that the general religious and liturgical life of the school conforms to Diocesan guidelines. To take particular care that, with the help and advice of the Diocesan Department of Religious Education, Religious Education has first place in the curriculum, and embraces and enlivens every subject; and that the school follows a truly Catholic programme of religious and moral education approved by the Diocese.
  • To consider not only the interests of the school in which they serve as Foundation Governor, along with its pupils, staff and parents, but to comply with Diocesan policy and the interests of other Catholic schools and the interests of Catholic education throughout the Diocese.
  • To be eligible for appointment, enquirers must be practising and committed Catholics. Since holding the office of Foundation Governor is a form of service or ministry in the Church, enquirers have to confirm that they are eligible and willing to serve in accordance with the commission from the Bishop.

The appointment of Foundation Governors is entirely at the discretion of the Bishop of Shrewsbury, or his delegate (Director of Schools), for schools within his jurisdiction.

Download Letters Governors Uniform Admissions