Governing Body

Welcome to the section of the website where you can find out more about the school’s governors, and the work that we do.

St Francis’s and St Michael’s have a joint governing cluster.

Our main role is to support the Head Teacher and the staff – the phrase often used to describe this role is ‘a critical friend’. We help them to set and reach targets and to strive for excellence across the whole spectrum of school life. With the main intention of keeping school improvement at the forefront of everything that the school does, they have the right – and the responsibility – to ask searching questions about the way the service the school is providing.

Our Governing Body is made up of three different categories of governors, and there are 17 members in total.

Foundation Governors (10) – represent the interest of the Catholic Church and the Trustees of the School, the Diocese of Brentwood. These members are appointed by the Diocese of Brentwood and outnumber all the other categories of governor.

Parent Governors (4) – are parents with children currently on roll at our school. Parent governors are elected by the parents.

Staff Governors (2) – is a member of the teaching staff or the support staff. Staff governors are elected by the school staff.

Head Teacher Governor (1) – is the current Head Teacher of the school . He/She is appointed by virtue of office.

Governors are elected for a term of four years.

The two key documents used for this are the School Development Plan (SDP) and the Self Evaluation Form (SEF). The SDP sets out the strategic plan for the school, with targets that everyone works towards and the SEF sets out how well the school is doing and where we aim to make improvements.

Our legal duties include:-

  • setting strategic direction, policies and objectives
  • approving the school budget
  • reviewing progress against the school’s budget and objectives
  • appointing, challenging and supporting the Head Teacher

The Governing Body meets at least once every term. We sometimes set up committees or working groups to look at particular issues (such as pay, performance management, buildings and development). We have two committee groups that meet regularly- the curriculum and personnel group and the finance and premises group.

Our Governing Body meetings are usually held in the evening. We attend training sessions and seminars to help us keep up to date with changes in schools and education and to help us do our job effectively. We also go into school to meet with the Head Teacher, other members of staff and pupils to help us find out how the school is progressing towards its targets.

We are committed to providing an excellent environment for all pupils to enjoy during their time at our school.

Foundation Governors  School Term of Office Committee
Ms O. Alabede St Francis’ 31.10.2027 Curriculum and Personnel 
Ms L. Elias St Francis’ 14.04.2025 Finance and Premises
Ms A. Nkemnacho St Francis’ 07.04.2028 Curriculum and Personnel
(Co-Chair)
Mrs M. Thorn  St Francis’ 29.07.2027 Finance and Premises
Ms C. Willson  St Francis’ 04.09.2027 Finance and Premises
Mr L. Clarey St Michael’s 30.06.2025 Finance and Premises
Fr Bob Hamill St Michael’s 04.10.2024 Finance and Premises
Ms J Eloi St Michael’s 09.10.2025 Curriculum and Personnel
Mr J. Placide (Co-Chair) St Michael’s 08.11.2024 Finance and Premises
1 Vacancy  St Michael’s     
Parent Governors      
Ms P. Rangwanasha St Francis’ 21.11.2027 Curriculum and Personnel
Mr E. Falusi St Francis’ 19.02.2028 Curriculum and Personnel
Ms Y. Joshua St Michael’s 27.11.2026 Curriculum and Personnel
Mrs A. Beer  St Michael’s  25.02.28 Curriculum and Personnel
Staff Governors      
Mr J. Kiernan St Francis’ 17.11.2025 Finance and Premises
1 Vacancy St Michael’s    
Head Teacher      
Ms N. Scott St Francis’ and     
St Michael’s