St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and Nursery

"Following in Jesus' footsteps, Recognising the Holy Spirit in ourselves and in each other and nurturing our God given gifts."

The Governing Body of St Joseph's has four core functions:

• to support the Catholicity of the school;
• to set the vision and strategic direction of the school;
• to hold the head teacher to account for its educational performance; and
• to ensure financial resources are well spent.

Our Governing Body is made up of seven Foundation Governors, a Staff Governor, the Head Teacher, two Parent Governors and one Local Authority Governor.  The Governing Body may also appoint associate members to committees.  Governors regularly review their skills and training needs and actively seek to increase their knowledge.  They carry out visits in school looking at specific areas such as safeguarding, health & safety, SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) and the different curriculum subjects.  The Governing Body sets annual priorities (see document below) in line with the school's SDP (School Development Plan) and reviews their overall practice and progress every academic year.  In addition, the Foundation Governors have a legal duty to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school and to ensure that the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed. An important aspect of this is supporting and upholding the Catholic ethos of the school.

Within their roles the governors look to the six features of Effective Governance (Maintained Schools Governance Guide - March 2024, DfE, Department for Education):

• Strategic Leadership that sets and champions vision, ethos and strategy
• Accountability that drives up educational standards and financial performance
• People with the right skills, experience, qualities and capacity
• Structures that reinforce clearly defined roles and responsibilities
• Compliance with statutory and contractual requirements
• Evaluation to monitor and improve the quality and impact of governance.

To assist their work, the Governing Body has four committees: Catholic Ethos & Admissions, Finance & Premises, Staffing Performance Management & Safeguarding, Standards & Curriculum.  You will find more information about each committee further down this page.

CATHOLICITY        STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT        FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE        EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCE

For more information on our Governing Body members, please access the sheet "Meet our Governors & Associate Members" below.

Other Members who have served during the last 12 month period:

John Apicella - Foundation Governor (appointed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth) Most recent term 4 Years, 23.06.19 - 22.06.23.  Business/Pecuniary Interests: None.  Meeting Attendance 2022 - 23: 92%  12 of 13 meetings.  John had served two terms as foundation governor and had been an associate member before that.  10 years in total.  During that time John was Lead Governor for Health & Safety and Chair of the Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee.  The Governing Body is very grateful to John for all his contributions.

Elizabeth O'Keeffe - Foundation Governor (appointed by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth) Most recent term 4 Years, 12.02.20 - 11.02.24.  Business/Pecuniary Interests: Liberal Democrat Councillor within West Berkshire, Director of West Berkshire Citizens Advice.  Meeting Attendance 2022 - 23: 50% 4 of 8 meetings.  Elizabeth was a governor with St Joseph's for 23 years!  In recent years Elizabeth had been Vice Chair of Governors, chaired the Staffing, Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee and been Lead Governor for Safeguarding.  The Governing Body recognises the huge commitment Elizabeth gave to the role of governor and are grateful for her support in so many areas. 

Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee

To advise and assist the Head Teacher and the Governing Body on admissions and provide strategic support to the school's Catholic ethos.

Membership: Catherine Jones (Chair), Steve Ardagh-Walter, Antony Amirtharaj, Father Zbigniew Budyn, Vijay Samuel, Michael Robinson, Kelly Bosher.

Finance & Premises Committee

To monitor how the school conducts their finances, delegates financial responsibilities, methods of operation and the maintenance and safety of all school premises.  To make sure all parties with financial authority are aware of their duties and responsibilities and that sound and effective financial controls are maintained.  To monitor that the school has the appropriate practices and procedures to meet all of its Health & Safety duties and responsibilities To monitor the implementation of appropriate practice and procedures will ensure the best use of funds available to enhance the education of St Joseph’s pupils. 

Membership: Anthony Battrum (Chair), Sinead Hall, Steve Ardagh-Walter, Vijay Samuel, Michael Robinson, Kelly Bosher.

Staffing Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee

To provide guidance to the Governing Body and the Head Teacher on all matters relating to personnel issues.

To consider the personnel implications of the School Development Plan (SDP) and any other associated plan/reviews, and reporting on these to the full board as required.

To apply and review the performance management provisions, and all statutory and contractual obligations relating to the annual review of teaching staff and support staff salaries.

Membership: Sinead Hall (Chair), Catherine Jones, Michael Robinson, Kelly Bosher, Yvonne Standing.

Standards & Curriculum Committee

To ensure that strategies are in place to raise achievement for all pupils.  To ensure there is high quality teaching and learning across all year groups.  To ensure there is reliable assessment and high quality tracking information for all learners.  To ensure the school has a curriculum that satisfies statutory requirements and meets the pupils’ needs including extension and enrichment activities.

Membership: Jenny Hill (Chair), Sinead Hall, Emily Daly, Michael Robinson, Kelly Bosher, Stephen Wasko, Nicole Fulker.

Full Governing Body (FGB)

Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee

Thursday 

Finance & Premises Committee

Tuesday 

Staffing Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee

Standards & Curriculum Committee

Rachael House Gemmell

Rachael has worked with us since November 2013.  She attends all our Full Governing Body and committee meetings and provides us with advice and guidance to fulfill our roles as governors.  Rachael also clerks for three other primary schools within West Berkshire (Bucklebury C of E Primary, Woolhampton C of E Primary & Yattendon C of E Primary).  In 2018 Rachel completed "The Professional Clerk" programme with West Berkshire Council, in association with Hampshire County Council.   

Contact details: rhousegemmell@stjosephs.w-berks.sch.uk

If you would like to view a copy of the Full Governing Body minutes, please contact the clerk or school office on 01635 43455 or e-mail the school office office@stjosephs.w-berks.sch.uk