THE GOVERNING BODY
"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
GOVERNING BODY MEMBERSHIP
GOVERNING BODY DOCUMENTS
COMMITTEES
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), Father Zbigniew Budyn, Antony Amirtharaj, Vijay Samuel, Steve Ardagh-Walter, 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: Yvonne Standing (Chair), Anthony Battrum, Steve Ardagh-Walter, Vijay Samuel, Sinead Hall, 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, Yvonne Standing, Kelly Bosher.
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, Emily Daly, Cath Walsh, Sinead Hall, Kelly Boser, Elly Hase (Associate Member).
LINK GOVERNOR ROLES
Several of the governors have specialist roles with specific monitoring duties:
- Safeguarding - Catherine Jones
- Health & Safety - Vijay Samuel (supported by Catherine Jones)
- SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities), Inclusion & Equality - Sinead Hall (this will be Jenny Hill when re-appointed as LA Governor, due November 2025)
- Catholicity & RE (Religious Education) - Catherine Jones
- Governor Development - Sinead Hall
- EAL (English as an Additional Language) - Emily Daly
- EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) - Catherine Jones
- Foundation Subjects Maths & English - Emliy Daly
MEETING DATES 2025 - 6
Full Governing Body (FGB)
| Tuesday 16th September 2025 | Tuesday 11th November 2025 |
| Tuesday 16th December 2025 | Tuesday 10th February 2026 |
| Tuesday 24th March 2026 | Tuesday 28th April 2026 |
| Tuesday 14th July 2026 |
Catholic Ethos & Admissions Committee
Thursday 23rd October 2025
Thursday 26th February 2026
Monday 8th June 2026
Finance & Premises Committee
Tuesday 21st October 2025
Tuesday 25th November 2025
Tuesday 20th January 2026
Tuesday 17th March 2026
Tuesday 21st April 2026
Tuesday 23rd June 2026
Staffing Performance Management & Safeguarding Committee
Friday 7th November 2025
Friday 6th March 2026
Friday 19th June 2026
Standards & Curriculum Committee
Tuesday 9th December 2025
Tuesday 12th May 2026
Tuesday 7th July 2026
GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONAL/CLERK TO THE GOVERNING BODY
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