Welcome from the Governors at St Catherine of Siena R C Primary School. These pages will tell you who we are and the job that we do. It will also give the statutory information about our Governing Board.
WHAT DO GOVERNORS DO?
The Governing Board's remit is to promote a happy and safe environment for our children and to encourage the school to raise standards of achievement. The best chance of success for a school is when there is a high expectation of what pupils can achieve. Governors attend targeted term time visits to look at specific areas of activity linked to the school's vision and development plans. Most of us are not educational professionals and do not make judgements ourselves on the quality of teaching. We do however, study carefully the information about the progress children make at our school and what their level of achievement is at the end of Key stage 1 and Key stage 2. We get to know the school's strengths and weaknesses, we agree policies and agree the staff's priorities for the school's development. Governors are there to offer a different view and ask challenging questions to help the school to continually improve. The Full Governing Board work together to fulfil our four core functions, meeting together each term. We also have two committees who meet termly to consider standards and resources in more detail. The finance committee review spending and work with the Head Teacher and school Business Manager to ensure rigorous financial controls are in place. Focussing also on staffing, staff workload and school maintenance. The curriculum committee review attainment and progress and are responsible for making sure the school provides a good quality of education for all our children, inclusive of all abilities. The governing board together focus on other aspects of school life including our Catholic life/ethos & vision, safeguarding, mental health and wellbeing, special educational needs of pupils, pupil's spiritual/moral/social & cultural development and our British values. We carefully monitor attendance and promote attendance strategies because we want every pupil to reach their full potential and not have gaps in their learning journey.
The Governing board also supports performance management of the staff and senior leaders, attends school and community events, sits on panels (discipline / complaints / admissions ) as required. The governors attend specific training to ensure they have the knowledge to fulfill their responsibilities and complete a skills matrix each year to highlight any competency requirements.
Each term the Governors have the privilege of awarding a deserving pupil a ' Governor's Excellence Award ' certificate. The award is given to a pupil who has excelled over the term in any number of ways, for example, trying their best or being a good friend. It is important to the Governing board that the achievement of pupils is recognised and celebrated.
Foundation Governors are appointed by Liverpool Archdiocese and are people who, in the opinion of the Archdiocese, have the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
Terms of Reference for all the committees and minutes from the Full Governing Board meetings are available on request from the school office.
MEET THE GOVERNORS
Christine Henshall - Foundation Governor -appointed by the Archdiocese. Chairperson of the FGB, member of the finance and curriculum committee, Safeguarding governor. Forum governor. Governor for attendance, looked after children. School Priority Governor.
To contact Mrs Henshall, the Chair of Governors please use the school email address and mark For the Attention of Mrs Christine Henshall enquiries@admin.lowtonsaintcatherines.wigan.sch.uk
Father Gordon Abbs - Foundation Governor - appointed by the Archdiocese. Chair of the Finance Committee. RE Governor.
Diane Gaskell - Foundation Governor - appointed by the Archdiocese- Vice-Chair of the FGB. Chair of the curriculum committee. School Priority Governor.
Deborah Knowles - Foundation Governor- appointed by the Archdiocese, member of the finance and curriculum committee. Governor for Health and Safety.
Claire Carey - Parent Governor- appointed through nomination and vote by parents. Member of the finance committee. Governor for Special Education Needs & Disability ( SEND) and Pupil Premium.
Vacancy- Local Authority Governor
Nicky Singleton - Teacher Governor - appointed by Staff ballot. Member of the curriculum committee. Wellbeing Governor.
Linda Morris - Associate Member - appointed by the Governing Board. Member of the finance committee. Area of school support in sustainability and climate change.
Stef Evans - Parent Governor - appointed through nomination and vote by parents. Member of the curriculum committee. School Priority Governor.
MORE ABOUT US
Christine Henshall -Hello, I have been a Foundation Governor here since 2015 but have a long connection with St. Catherine of Siena school as my two Sons attended here in the late 80's and early 90's. I have an NHS background and worked as a midwife for 44 years until my recent retirement, so I have had the privilege of working alongside many families. I strongly believe that the children are our future and am passionate about education, ensuring we provide our children with the tools and opportunity to achieve their full potential, in a safe and happy environment , teaching Gospel values, to shape the whole child. It is an honour to be involved in the education of the children in our school, working collectively with the all the staff and governors to drive improvement and promote our mission statement to encourage our children to be who God meant them to be. I am a member of the congregation at St. Catherine of Siena and All Saints church in Golborne and have been a Eucharistic minister for many years.
Since retiring and having more free time, I enjoy swimming, yoga, walking, flower arranging and skiing.
Linda Morris - I am Linda Morris and I am married to Ken. We have lived in Lowton for over 48 years. I am proud to have been associated with St. Catherine of Siena PS for over 50 years! I first came to the school Christmas Fayre when my three Nephews were pupils here and was more closely associated with school when our two Sons came here, followed in recent years by our Grand-Daughters.
I am a member of the Secular Franciscan Order and previously attended St. Catherine of Siena church, Lowton. Now I am active in the All Saints Parish in Golborne as a Eucharistic Minister, Parish Safeguarding Representative and Deanery Representative. One of my greatest pleasures and privileges is as a Parish Catechist when I help prepare yr 4 children in our three parish schools for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
Before I retired. I was a Principal Geotechnical Engineer and Geologist for an international company. Since retirement, I enjoy leisure time salsa dancing and looking after our allotment.
Stef Evans - I am Stef, I was elected as a parent governor in December ‘23. I have two boys, one currently at school and one hopefully starting in September. I currently work part time with a background rooted in the insurance industry for over twenty years, I bring a wealth of expertise and dedication to our school community. I have a wide knowledge of Sales Management Performance, Well-being and Culture. I bring passion, enthusiasm and my management experience to the role. I have a strong belief in giving children of all abilities an outstanding school journey.
I love spending my spare time with my family and friends, keeping active and watching the rugby. My family enjoy all sports, with two young boys, they certainly keep us on our toes.
I’m passionate about our school and glad to be part of the team of Governors.
Jackie Leonard - I am a teacher myself and have been a senior leader at a large primary school in Bolton for the past six years. I have a passion for teaching and understand the importance of effective governance. I am an active member of St. Catherine of Siena and All Saints church, Golborne and sit on the parish council. In my personal life, I am married and have two grown up sons. I have a love of the outdoors and like nothing more than walking in the Lake District. As a past pupil of St. Catherine's school, it is a privilege for me to return as a Foundation Governor.
Diane Gaskell - I am Diane, I am a former pupil at St. Catherine’s School as are my two daughters. I am a member of St. Catherine’s and All Saints church in Golborne where I have helped to set up and run the ‘Children’s Liturgy Group’. I enjoy working with children, I have worked in childcare for 17 years and now work for the NHS in the paediatric department. In my spare time I enjoy spending quality time with my family and watching rugby with them. I also enjoy socialising with my friends.
Debbie Knowles - I am an HR and Employment Law Specialist by profession and owner & Managing Director of a consultancy firm based in Lowton. Whilst I do not have an education background, I am keen to be able to contribute the other skills and knowledge I have to the school governing board, in the interests of the school and the children. I have two grown-up children who both attended St Lewis’s Primary School in Croft, l am an active member of both St Lewis’s and All Saints parishes, as a reader, a CAFOD representative and a member of the St Vincent De Paul Society ( SVP). In our spare time my husband and I enjoy walking with our Labradoodle, Woody, and we like to spend time in Anglesey.
Nicky Singleton - Hello, I am Nicky. I am the Reception Teacher at St. Catherine’s. I have worked at this school for nearly 24 years and love my role as Class Teacher. I have a passion for the Early Years and feel privileged to have taught so many children in their first year with us. I have built up strong, trusted relationships with parents and families over my time here and know that this will continue. In my personal life, I am married and have two teenage children. I love to crochet in my spare time and make many items for babies and young children. I also have a love of the outdoors and spend precious time at our caravan in Anglesey whenever I can. Being in the outdoors and walking in nature really helps with my health and wellbeing.
Claire Carey - I am Claire and I was elected as a parent governor in May 2024. I have 6 children, all of whom have attended St. Catherine’s school and my youngest is currently in Yr 2. I am the project manager for a charity that supports families in need and my key responsibilities include : sourcing and applying for funding to run our projects, policy development/analysis, managing a team, managing budgets, frontline support and a mix of strategic and operational delivery. I am also a part time PhD candidate at the University of Salford and collaborate on other social research projects. Personal attributes I bring to the role of parent governor are a passion for education - believing that everyone deserves a good education regardless of ability, along with the belief that to achieve this, a child’s emotional and social development is supported in a nurturing environment. My personal values and morals also align with Catholic teachings and I am proud to be a parent governor at St. Catherines.
My spare time is mostly spent with my family at home or on days out. I also love to read, write creatively and listen to music to feed my soul.
Governing Body Composition:
Type of Governor | No. |
Foundation | 4 - (3 Vacancies) |
Headteacher | 1 |
Local Authority | Vacancy |
Parent | 2 |
Staff | 1 |
Associate Members | 1 |
Names of Governors | Type of Governor | Term of Office | Date of appoint-ment | Date of resignation (if resigned in the last 12 months) | Appointing Body |
Stef Evans
Jackie Leonard | Parent Governor
Foundation |
8/12/23 to 7/12/27
15-10-20 to 14-10-24 |
8/11/23
15-10-2020 |
14/10/24 |
Parent ballot
Archdiocese |
Nicky Singleton
| Teacher | 3-9-23 to 2-9-27 | 3-9-2023 |
| Staff Ballot |
Christine Henshall (Chair) | Foundation | 23-11-23to 22-11-27 | 23-11-15 |
| Archdiocese |
Deborah Knowles | Foundation | 12-7-22to 11-7-26 | 12-7-22 |
| Archdiocese |
Diane Gaskell (Vice Chair) | Foundation | 1-9-23 to 31-8-27 | 1-9-19 |
| Archdiocese |
Linda Morris | Associate Member | 28/3/23 to 30/1/27 | 28/3/23 | 31-1-23 as foundation governor | Appointed by the governing body. No voting rights.
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| Father Gordon Abbs | Foundation | 6-3-2023 to 5-3-2027 | 6-3-19 | Archdiocese | |
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Susan Leck | Headteacher | 01-03-14 to 29-02-64 | 01-03-14 |
| Appointed by Governing Body |
Claire Carey | Parent Governor | 15-03-24 to 14-03-28 | 15-03-24 |
| Parent Ballot |
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| Local Authority |
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| Responsibility | Name |
| Safeguarding & Attendance Governor | Christine Henshall |
| RE Governor | Fr. Gordon Abbs |
| Health and Safety Governor | Debbie Knowles |
| Wellbeing Governor | Nicky Singleton |
| SEND & PP Governor | Claire Carey |
Link & Forum | Christine Henshall |
| Children looked after Governor | C. Henshall |
School Priority Governor School priority Governor School Priority Governor
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C. Henshall Stef Evans
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| Governor | Details of Pecuniary Interest | Details of personal Interest |
| Diane Gaskell | Nil | Nil |
| Deborah Knowles | Nil | Nil |
| Clair Carey | Nil | Nil |
| Father Gordon Abbs | Nil | Governor at All Saints Primary School Governor at St. Lewis Primary School |
| Linda Morris | Nil | Nil |
| Christine Henshall | Nil | Nil |
| Nicky Singleton | Nil | Reception Class Teacher |
| Susan Leck | Nil | Nil |
| Stef Evans | Nil | Nil |
Governor Meetings
| Attendance at Meetings | ||||
| Name | FGB September ‘24 (Business meeting) | FGB October 2024 | FGB March 2025 | FGB June 2025 |
| Jackie Leonard | apologies | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Deborah Knowles | apologies | attended | attended | apologies |
| Claire Carey | apologies | attended | attended | apologies |
| Linda Morris | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Diane Gaskell (Vice Chair) | attended | attended | attended | attended |
| Father Gordon Abbs | attended | apologies | attended | attended |
| Christine Henshall (Chair) | attended | attended | attended | attended |
| Nicky Singleton | attended | attended | attended | attended |
| Susan Leck | attended | attended | attended | attended |
| Stef Evans | attended | attended | attended | attended |
Name of Governor. Finance Meeting Debbie Knowles | Finance March 2025 Attended | May 2025 Attended |
October 2024 Attended
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| Father G Abbs (Chair) | Attended | Apologies | Attended | |
| Sue Leck | Attended | Attended | Attended | |
| Claire Carey | Attended | Attended | Attended | |
| Christine Henshall | Attended | Attended | Attended | |
| Debbie Knowles | Attended | Attended | Attended | |
| LEVEL 2 PANELS 4/12/24 | 13/12/24 | |||
Fr.G Abbs ( Chair). Attended Diane Gaskell. Attended
Karen Clyne ( Independant Governor) |
| Attended Attended
Attended |
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| Name of Governor | Curriculum July 2024 | Curric April 2025 | Curric January 2025 | |
| Nicky Singleton | Attended | Attended | Attended | |
| Debbie Knowles | Attended | Attended | Attended | |
| Jackie Leonard | Attended | N/A | N/A | |
| Stef Evans | Apologies | Attended | Attended | |
| Susan Leck | Attended | Attended | Attended | |
| Christine Henshall | Attended | Attended | Attended | |
| Claire Carey | Apologies | N/A | N/A | |
Diane Gaskell ( Chair)
| Attended
| Attended
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| Attended
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