Our Lady Of Lourdes Catholic Primary School
We Learn with God as our Guide
Governors
School Governors
School governors play a vital role in promoting high standards of educational achievement. They share a common belief that children should receive the best possible standard of education in all areas of their development and help promote the strong Catholic ethos of the school. This is in the interests of current and future pupils.
Members of governing bodies include:
- School staff
- Parents of pupils
- Members of the public from all walks of life
Governors are committed to serving the best interests of the school. As unpaid voluntary public servants, they help to sustain their school’s identity and provide a link with the local community. An effective governing body is a source of enormous strength to the school.
School governance is the most important volunteering role in education.
List of current school governors (also known as the Representative Committee):
(Please click on the Governor to see more information)
I have been Parish Priest at Our Lady and St Hugh's Church since 2011 and act as
the Religious Education link and spiritual adviser to the school. I enjoy visiting the
school on a regular basis where I find a positive atmosphere and staff who are
committed in their desire to serve the children.
I have been a foundation governor for several years, most recently taking on the role
of Treasurer. This gives me the opportunity to put my expertise in accountancy to
good use in the local community. I am married to Martin with whom I have a young
daughter called Amelie. I attend Our Lady and Saint Hugh's church and am actively
involved in the church.
I became a Parent Governor in November 2016. More information to come soon...
Married to Teena and we have two amazing kids – Michelle and Michael who study at Cokethorpe School. Having completed my Masters in Business Administration and
equipped with more than 17 years in the automotive industry, I currently work for
BMW. My role revolves around steering projects related to quality of processes. I am
an avid reader and love reading books on the Catholic faith. I also enjoy sports and
currently play hockey for the Witney Hockey Club. I am immensely humbled to be a
governor.
I became a foundation governor in Feb 2016 and chair of the Committee in Oct 2016.
I am married to Carl and we have three sons and five grandchildren of primary school age. We moved to Witney on retirement after many years in Oxford where I managed an academic journal but also sat as a magistrate in the city and was very involved with Marriage Care, both as a counsellor in Oxford and as chair of the charity’s board in
London. I am very pleased to be able to use that experience in my role as chair
helping to build relationships and facilitate the work of the committee. I also have
responsibility as link governor for Teaching and Learning.
I am a Qualified teacher and currently work as Foundation Stage Teacher Assistant in school. I live in Witney with my four children, who attend the school, as did I. The
eldest in Year 6 and the youngest in Year 1. I am an active member of the school
community, being a member of the Friends committee. I have been a Parishioner of
Our Lady and St Hugh Church since birth and I organise and run the Children's
Liturgy. Currently I am also a Trustee of our link nursery - St Hugh of Lincoln.
I became a foundation governor in November 2016.
I am married to Sarah and currently look after our 3 children. Previously, I was a Royal Air Force Officer, specialising in IT Systems, then worked as an IT Manager for a
publishing company in Kidlington. I attend Our Lady and St Hugh's church where I am
a Eucharistic Minister. Having a keen interest in maths and PE, I feel privileged to
have been given the responsibility as the link governor in these subjects.
I was delighted to accept the invitation to become a governor of Our lady of Lourdes in November 2017. I am married to Jacqui and we have two grown up children, who
have long fled the nest. We live in North Leigh, having moved into the Witney area just over two years ago. We worship at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Eynsham which, of
course, is well within the catchment area of Our Lady of Lourdes.
I am an accountant by profession although I spent the greater part of my career in
general management, before retiring some years ago. Like most reasonable people, I believe that the best investment this country can make is in the education of our young people. However, in the current climate of tough budgeting and relentless cost cutting, I hope my financial background may be of some assistance to Our Lady of Lourdes.
I'm Jenny Walker, the Principal. I have been involved in education for 20 years,
working in a number of primary schools of various sizes in Oxfordshire and Bristol.
Throughout my work in education I believe that children should be happy and safe in
order to reach their full potential. I am passionate that education is the key to our
children’s future and that they need to be given as many opportunities in order to
develop wholly and succeed. Outside of school, I have two children who keep me very busy, but when I do get time off I enjoy walking with my friends and listening to music.
Almost anyone over 18 years of age can become a governor. There are no particular qualifications or requirements, other than a willingness to give time to the role and a capacity for working with other people.
There are different categories of governor:
- parent
- staff
- foundation
- partnership
- local authority
- co-opted
The type of governor you become depends on your situation; however all governors have the same roles and responsibilities once part of the governing board.
From time to time, a governor vacancy arises. If you think you have what it takes to be a school governor, please contact the Chair, via the School Reception, to express an interest.
Governors' Meeting Minutes
Minutes from the latest Governors' Meetings are available from the office on request given reasonable notice.