Governance
Our Governance Structure
Our Governors share a common belief that children should receive an education of the best possible quality. The role of a Governor within our Local Governing Body (LGB) is an important one - for the most part, it is made up of individuals drawn from our community, both as elected and appointed members. Those serving on the LGB are accountable to the Pope Francis Catholic MAT Directors and the Archbishop, and must ensure that, at all times, they act in good faith and in the best interests of the school and the Trust, exercising care and skill, and with particular regard to local knowledge and experience.
Staff Governors are teachers or other employees of the school who are elected into office by their colleagues. Parent Governors are elected onto the Governing Body by parents of pupils currently attending Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School. Our Foundation Governors are appointed by Archbishop to represent and sustain their interests and priorities.
The specific functions of our LBG are laid out in the Scheme of Delegation, linked below; their responsibilities are:
- To ensure high standards of achievement for all pupils by supporting our Catholic vision and aims, in harmony with the Trust’s mission and strategic direction.
- Both support and challenge leaders on the educational performance of our school and its pupils, and their well-being and safety.
- Support SLT generally and with specific emphasis on target setting, pupil monitoring and analysing progress data to inform curriculum & budgeting priorities.
- Monitor the school budget ensuring prudence, probity & efficiency.
- Support SLT with staffing structure, recruitment and performance management.
- Responsible for staff welfare and well-being, support SLT in monitoring absence.
- Promote collaboration with all schools, ensure school is meeting community need.
- Develop and review delegated school policies (e.g. admissions, behaviour).
- Provide a point of contact for parents and other members of the community.
- Evaluate performance ensuring appropriate development, skills and behaviour.
Our Chair of Governors for the Local Governing Body at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School is Maria Parker, she can be contacted by email, or by sending a letter to school, care of the office to pass on to her:
Address: Grantham Road, Southport, Merseyside PR8 4LT
Email: admin@olol.pfcmat.org
If you would like to review copies of any of our governance minutes, or if you have any questions at all about governance at Our Lady of Lourdes, or Pope Francis CMAT, please email info@pfcmat.org and we will pass this on to our Governance Director to help you.
Meet Our Governors
Maria Parker - Chair of Governors
My name is Maria Parker and I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of Governors at our parish primary school. I am an "old girl" of Our Lady of Lourdes, I left to go to Christ the King in 1975!
I returned to Christ the King as Chaplain where I worked for 25 years before leaving to take on 2 roles - Parish Administrator for Birkdale Catholics and Catholic Chaplain at Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals and Queenscourt Hospice. My hobbies include knitting and, more recently, cake decorating. I am really looking forward to continue working with Governors, Staff and Parents.
Rob Ball - Foundation Governor
It was an honour to be asked to be a Foundation Governor at Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL), an offer that I accepted in January 2023. I have a strong connection with the school from being a former pupil, and both of my children have recently attended so I know first hand what a happy, welcoming and nurturing school OLOL was and still is.
I am a chartered building surveyor by profession and bring a wealth of experience, having previously worked on a range of education capital projects whilst in private practice. In recent years I have worked clientside at the Archdiocese of Liverpool, looking after their estate and overseeing the implementation of capital works. I am hoping that my knowledge in construction, property and facilities management will assist the school and staff to achieve their aims and objectives.
Angela Baron - Foundation Governor
I was educated at Notre Dame School in Birkdale and Digby Stuart Teacher Training College in Roehampton.
I started my teaching career in Reception in a Catholic Primary School in East London and after two years went to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) to teach in a Catholic mission school in the south of the country for eighteen months.
On returning to the UK I worked in a base for hearing impaired pupils within a Primary School in West London. During this time I was seconded for a year to train as a teacher for H.I. children in Twickenham. The remainder of my career was spent teaching in Units for H.I. in W. London and Hillingdon, the School for H.I. Children in Birkdale and as a peripatetic teacher in W. London.
I moved back to Southport on my retirement and live in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.
My interests include playing tennis, travel and gardening (incl. gardening on Rotten Row!)
Faye Dreher - Parent Governor
Hello, I’m Faye and I am delighted to have recently been elected as parent governor at our wonderful school.
I have two daughters who currently attend the school in year 6 and year 1.
Professionally I am a chartered accountant and have worked in the finance industry for the past 10 years, I have recently moved into the education sector as a School Business Manager for a local primary school.
I hope to apply my skills and experience within finance and the education sector to the Governor role to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of our children.
Brian Cooney - Foundation Governor
Awaiting content.
Bruce Peter Hicks - Foundation Governor
I recently retired as Assistant Headteacher and Director of Music at Archbishop Beck Catholic College, Liverpool.
Prior to my appointment at Archbishop Beck Catholic College, I taught in the private and state sector of education in the UK and before that was Director of Music at Christian Brothers High School, Lewisham, NSW, Australia. Under my leadership the school ensemble was the most honoured wind ensemble in the state. I relocated to the UK in 1988, and have taught in three schools.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts from the Open University,Master of Arts, (OU), Master of Educational Management, Sheffield University, ALCM from London College of Music and an NPQH from the National College of School Leadership. I play piano, trombone and Euphonium. My professional affiliations include, member of the Executive Board of the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles (BASBWE), a committee member of the English Speaking Union, (ESU) and a member of the TMEA, Texas, USA. I am also Editor of the Winds Magazine for BASWBE. I have lectured in Australia and have been a guest conductor for numerous wind ensembles in the UK.
I am a strong advocate that young people need to be involved in live music making, and not to become passive listeners, but take the joy, skill and motivation throughout their lives.
I am also a member of a Governing Board of a Liverpool Primary school and a member of the local Catholic community here in Southport.
Father Atli Jonsson - Vice Chair and Foundation Governor
I was appointed parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Joseph in September 2004, and to St Teresa in April 2017. It goes with the territory of being parish priest to serve the parish school. I am committed, with the other foundation governors, to the Catholic ethos of our School and support staff and pupils in living and sharing the faith.
Originally from Iceland I have lived in the Archdiocese of Liverpool since 2000 after finishing my training for the priesthood in Rome. Unlike many priests I have never played golf but am good at cooking pasta!
Sam Gallagher - Staff Governor
With over a decade of teaching experience at Our Lady of Lourdes, both the school and its community hold a special place in my heart.
Although I spent the majority of my teaching career in Key Stage 2, presently, I lead Key Stage One while teaching Year 2. As an educator and leader, I prioritise instilling our school’s Core Values in our children, fostering resilience, tolerance, love, and compassion, inspired by the teachings of Jesus.
Additionally, I contribute to leadership teams focused on Maths, PE & School Sport, and Mental Health. PE & School Sport holds a particular passion for me. I believe we have a unique opportunity to introduce children to various activities, fostering enduring healthy habits and a love for being active!
Away from school, I enjoy exploring the local area with my wife and daughter. My leisure time is often spent playing or watching a variety of sports, including squash, golf, and following the endeavours of Liverpool FC!
At Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, our Local Governing Body (LGB) is a committed and hard working group made up of members of our community, who meet as a full board each half term to discuss the effective running of school within our governance model, as delegated through the Trust Board at Pope Francis Catholic MAT.
Governance Information
| Name | Date Of First Appointment | Start of Current Term | Type of Governor | Term | Appointment Body | Business Interests |
|
Maria Parker Chair |
01.10.18 | 07/11/2022 | Foundation | 4 Years | Archdiocese of Liverpool | None |
|
Father Atli Jonsson (Pending) Vice Chair |
01/09/2020 | Foundation | 4 years | Archdiocese of Liverpool | Governor at St Teresa's Infant School | |
| Robert Ball | 18.01.23 | 18/01/2023 | Foundation | 4 Years | Archdiocese of Liverpool | None |
| Angela Baron | 01.11.10 | 07/11/2022 | Foundation | 4 Years | Archdiocese of Liverpool | None |
| Faye Dreher | 01.02.22 | 01/02/2022 | Parent | 4 Years | Parents | None |
| Elizabeth Farrell | 01.05.23 | 01/05/2023 | Parent | 4 Years | Parents | None |
| Bruce Hicks |
24.09.20 |
24/09/2020 | Foundation |
4 Years |
Archdiocese of Liverpool |
Governor at Holy Name Primary School, Liverpool |
| Mel Siddell | 01/09/2024 | 01/09/2024 | Staff |
4 Years |
School |
None |
| Brian Cooney | 24/04/2024 | 24/04/2024 | Foundation | 4 Years | ||
| Darren McCann |
01.09.21 |
01/09/2021 | Headteacher |
Governing Body |
None |
|
| Suzannah Dykes |
01.06.17 |
Clerk to Governors |
Governing Body |
None |
Historic Governors List
| Name | Type of Governor | Start of Term of Office | Leaving Date | Declarations |
|
Helen McMullan |
Staff | 08/11/2019 | ||
|
Lucy Noad |
Foundation | 01/09/2021 | ||
|
Simon Grilli |
Foundation | 25/02/2021 | ||
|
Ann Broe |
LA Governor | 31/08/2021 |
Governors' Attendance
Governor Attendance Information September 2023 - July 2024
| Name | Scheduled Meetings | Attended | Apologies | Absent | Percentages |
| Robert Ball | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 83% |
| Angela Baron | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Ann Broe | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 17% |
| Faye Dreher | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Elizabeth Farrell | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 50% |
| Sam Gallagher |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Simon Grilli |
6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 83% |
| Bruce Hicks |
6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 50% |
| Father Atli |
6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 50% |
| Helen McMullan |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 67% |
| Maria Parker |
6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
Governor Attendance Information September 2022 to July 2023
| Name | Scheduled Meetings | Attendance | Apologies | Absent | Percentage |
| Angela Baron | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Ann Broe | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 57% |
| Faye Dreher | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 86% |
| Simon Grilli | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 86% |
| Bruce Hicks | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 57% |
| Atli Jonsson | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 57% |
| Helen McMullan |
7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
| Lucy Noad |
7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 71% |
| Sam Owens |
4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Maria Parker |
10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
Trust Board
Governance at our Trust is strong and balanced. It offers professional support and challenge so that leaders push themselves while maintaining a strong focus on results and quality. The Pope Francis CMAT website contains the Trust's financial information, Articles of Association, Memorandum of Understanding, Master Funding Agreement, as well as up to date information on the Trust board's attendance, meetings and membership:
Scheme of Delegation and Terms of Reference
Our Lady of Lourdes Funding Agreement
Each school in our Trust has its own Local Governing Body, which are a committee of the Trust Board of Directors, and these layers integrate into a wider system of governance as detailed below. Our layers of governance interact with each other to ensure a clear flow of communication and accountability for leaders. Our Chair of Governors forum is made up of the Chairs of LGBs, which meets termly and provides a clear link between the Directors Board and the LGBs:
Members
The Members of The Pope Francis Catholic MAT are equivalent to shareholders of a trading company. As the Trust is charitable, with no power to distribute profit to shareholders, they are best viewed as guardians of the constitution - changing the Articles if necessary and ensuring the charitable object is fulfilled.
The Archbishop, through the Diocesan Education Department, also exercises oversight and supervision as diocesan authority. All Trust Governors are required to observe directions issued by on on behalf of the Archbishop.
Directors
Decision making and accountability for Pope Francis CMAT rests with the Directors, who are Directors for charity law purposes and company directors registered with Companies House. They are personally responsible for the actions of the Trust and its Academies, accountable to the Members, Secretary of State for Education and the wider community for the quality of education and spending of public money.
The Directors have systems in place through which they can assure themselves of the quality, safety and good practice of the affairs of the Trust. They meet as a board and delegate aspects of governance and the day to day oversight of school leadership to Local Governing Bodies within each academy. Other committees established by the Board may by tasked with fulfilling particular functions or advising the Directors on strategic matters.
Governors Area
Use these buttons to login to your account with NGA or GovernorHub, click to view our governance dashboards, and book your training with Sefton Governor Services:
National Governance Association
Joining our Governance Team
If you are a skilled and experienced sector leader looking to volunteer as a member of the Local Governing Body (LGB) at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, or as a Director on our Trust Board, please get in touch by emailing: info@pfcmat.org.
Our Governing Body is an integral part of the strategic running of our school and core members of our leadership team. The Local Governing Body (LGBs) holds the Headteacher to account for what is delivered in the school, each LGB in the Trust has a strong level of responsibility for their school's progress and success through our Trust's governing principle of subsidiarity. Our Directors are then responsible for the strategic priorities of the Trust and our Members Board ensure compliance with charity and Company law requirements.
Our Governors attend half-termly face to face evening meetings as a full board, and are often also Link Governors in areas such as SEND, safeguarding or Community and Catholic life, with some additional meetings or panels as relevant over the year. Our governors have a strong sense of integrity and live out the Nolan Principles of Public Life and the Academy Trust Governance Code. They are committed members of our community who can have a significant impact on how well our school is run and what pupils and staff can achieve.
You can find out more about becoming a Local Governor, or Trust Director (Trustee) through the NGA, and in their introductory video below: