Governance

1. Introduction and Overview

Key roles and responsibilities

All governors of Catholic maintained schools have legal rights and responsibilities which ensure that they safeguard and promote their school’s denominational character. These rights and responsibilities have been recognised by Government as central to the continuing success of Catholic education. The following are key aspects of the governing body’s legal duties in voluntary aided schools relating to their religious character.

• Appointment of Teachers
• Admissions
• The Curriculum

What do governors do?

The governing body of a Catholic school occupies and conducts the school on behalf of their trustees and under the supervision of the diocesan bishop as the occupier of the premises, proprietor of the undertaking, and employer of the staff. It occupies the school subject to the parameters laid down by their trustees, and  ultimately any decisions relating to the land and buildings rest with the trustees, except in so far as these have been delegated to the governing body by the trustees.

The governors of a Catholic school work as a team, in close co-operation with the headteacher and all staff. All governors and staff contribute to the Catholic character of the school and the Catholic nature of the education provided, as set out in its mission statement.

Successive Governments have recognised the responsibilities of the trustees and the rights of the Catholic community as a whole to ensure that the long term future of Catholic education is secure. The law enshrines a number of guarantees from the State to ensure the Catholic character and ethos of the schools is maintained; particularly in the areas of admissions, staffing and governance.

The diocese (or religious order) has the legal right to appoint (and remove) an overall majority of governors, who are known as foundation governors. In addition to all the other legal responsibilities of the governing body, the law recognises that foundation governors are appointed specifically to ensure:

• That the Catholic character of the school is preserved;
• That the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed; and
• That the religious education curriculum is in accordance with the bishop’s policy for his diocese, based on the Bishops’ Conference Curriculum Directory.

Foundation governors are, therefore, appointed by the bishop, or religious order, to represent their interests and those of the Catholic community as a whole. Foundation governors play a leading role in the Catholic community: they collaborate with the bishop in his ministry in education. It is, therefore, important for them to:

• Know and implement the bishop’s policies on education, including religious education;
• Represent those policies to the governing body;
• Understand and promote the distinctive nature of Catholic education;
• Act for the good of Catholic education as a whole within the diocese, considering not only the interests of the individual school or college, but the interests of other schools and colleges;
• Respond to the needs of the Catholic community as a whole, as represented by the bishop;
• Secure the long-term future of Catholic education;
• Always act in accordance with the mind of the bishop.

The Sub Committees

There are full Governing Body meetings each term. Much of the work however is carried out in sub committees. More details about the Sub-Committees can be found in section 3 below. 

2. Current Governing Body Information

3. Governing Board Sub-Committees Information

• Coming soon

4. Governing Board Attendance Record 2023/24

Governing Board Attendance Record 2024/25

KEY

A = Apologies received and Governors consented to the absence

Abs = No apologies received

N/A = Not eligible to attend

Meet The Governors

Elizabeth Aspin (Chair of Governors)

I have been a governor at Our Lady of Mount for 15 years, first as parent then as a foundation governor. My daughter, Emily, attended Our Lady’s so I know what an amazing school it is. I have worked for the local authority for the past 27 years and work with vulnerable people in the community. It is a pleasure to be able to serve Catholic education at Our Lady’s. Both children and staff are very welcoming.

Kevin Toms

I have been a foundation Governor since January 2009 following my retirement from my headteacher post at St. Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Hyde. I was born and brought up in Hyde, attending St. Paul’s and later St. Peter and St. Paul’s, Dukinfield. I have always wanted to support my local Catholic primary schools so was happy to become a governor both here and at St. James, Hattersley. I also work closely with the Shrewsbury Diocese on inspections and appointments of headteachers and deputies.

Francesca Roberts

I have had connections with the school for many years. My nephews, nieces and all five of my children have been fortunate enough to be part of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel family. Each of my children flourished whilst at the school and were always supported and encouraged to achieve their potential and grow in faith. Our Lady of Mount Carmel  created an inclusive and nurturing environment for my youngest child who has special needs.

My background is also in Catholic education, having been an RE teacher in a Catholic High School for over 30 years. I am also an active member of the parish and my role as a catechist enables me to further develop the strong links the school already has with the parish community. As a Governor, I am passionate about upholding the Catholic identity and mission of our school and this is something Our Lady of Mount Carmel strives to do by putting Christ at the centre of everything it does.

Roisin Marsh

Vanna Carter

I am extremely pleased and proud to be a governor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel and I have been involved with the school for a number of years as a Foundation Governor. I visit the school regularly and I always find it a joyful experience as it is an oasis of peace and calm.

My previous role as a Teacher Trainer of teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, both at pre-service and in-service level, also involved the safeguarding and pastoral care of our trainee teachers and their students.

Currently I provide consultancy service for organisations involved with teacher training for teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. These roles have equipped me with transferable skills that can be of great benefit to education in the state sector too, both at primary and secondary level. I am fully committed to continuing to support all aspects of school life at Our Lady’s.

Bushra Kauser

Sylwia Sachmata

Hannah Eves

I first attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a pupil and have now had my own children attend with one having moved on to Secondary School. I currently work in the Financial Services industry and have done for the last 20 years enabling me to bring that experience into my role within the Finance committee. I became a governor in 2022 as I wanted to support the school  in being the best that it can be and supporting our children to achieve their potential. It is important to me that we create an environment where each child is valued and developed within their own self esteem with confidence across their faith and within their academic career but also socially and creatively.