The Role of the Governor

The main concern of every Governor is to ensure that all the children attending the school are offered every opportunity to receive an education of the highest possible standard in accordance with the School Mission Statement. The day-to-day management of a school is the responsibility of the Head Teacher, but a successful school depends on an effective working partnership between governors, staff, parents and all engaged at the school.

There are various categories of Governors – Staff, parents and Foundation. All are elected or appointed by different groups of people. As a Catholic school, the Foundation Governors are appointed by the Diocese. Their main responsibilities are finance, premises, curriculum, personnel, and, as a Voluntary Aided Catholic School, admissions. In line with the teachers and support staff, they attend training courses organised by the Local Authority, the Academy Trust and Brentwood Religious Education Service. There is a statutory requirement for governors to meet at least once each school term. The Governing Body is divided into committees covering curriculum subjects and all aspects of school welfare and safety. These committees report to the full Governing Body at its termly meetings. The election of the Chair and Vice Chair takes place at the autumn term meeting. The tenure of governors is four years, but they can be re-appointed or re-elected for further terms.

Governing Body Membership

Foundation

• Nina Nathan (Chair)
• Paul Ponzini (Vice-Chair)
• Olwen Shallis
• Laura Lewis
• Lauren Astrella

Parents

• Kate Harriss

Staff

• Clare Bracknell

Headteacher

• Annabelle Delgado

Clerk

• Nikita Parr

Committee Membership

Finance and Premises (Incl. Health & Safety)

• Paul Ponzini
• Olwen Shallis
• Kathryn Harris
• Annabelle Delgado

Personnel

• Nina Nathan
• Paul Ponzini
• Annabelle Delgado

Curriculum

• Olwen Shallis
• Lauren Astrella
• Nina Nathan
• Laura Lewis
• Mrs Christine Wallen
• Annabelle Delgado

Pay

• Nina Nathan
• Olwen Shallis
• Laura Lewis

Ad Hoc Committees

Ad Hoc Committees were reviewed in September 2025 and governors said they would be happy to be drafted onto a committee which had no conflict of interest. 

Named Governors

Safer Recruitment

• Nina Nathan
• Annabelle Delgado

Safeguarding

• Kathryn Harriss

Looked After Children

• Clare Bracknell

Health and Safety

• Mr Paul Ponzini

SEN

• Mrs Olwen Shallis

Well-being and Catholic Life

• Laura Lewis

Relationship, Health and Sex Education 

• Nina Nathan