St Theresa's RC Primary School

St. Theresa's RC Primary School Governing Board

What do governors do?

The governing body works with the Headteacher and the staff at the school to ensure the school provides a high-quality education for all of its pupils, and constantly strives to improve outcomes and results.  Governors don’t need specialist skills, just an ability to listen, think through new ideas, and decide what’s best for the school as part of a team. They need to set high expectations and ask challenging questions, but are not expected to make day to day decisions about how the school is run. That’s the job of the headteacher and senior staff. 

Key Roles and Responsibilities

In addition to ensuring that the school carries out its statutory responsibilities, the three key roles of a governing body are to:

• provide strategic direction for the school.
• monitor the performance of the school and constantly look to raise standards.
• ensure sound financial management and accountability.

This means that governors will be involved in:

• deciding how the budget should be spent and ensuring good value for money
• making sure the curriculum provides for and challenges all pupils
• making sure the school buildings are welcoming, safe and well used
• setting and monitoring the school’s values, aims and policies
• appointing the Head and Deputy Head and assisting the Head in appointing other staff
• reviewing the performance of the Headteacher annually, and setting targets for the following year

St. Theresa's Board of Governors

Eileen Lloyd (Chair) - I have two daughters and four grandchildren,  three of whom still attend primary school,  and so I have a keen interest in a robust and healthy education. I have been the Chair of Governors at St. Theresa's since July 2023, having been a Foundation Governor for the preceeding three years. My association with St. Theresa's stretches back over thirty years. I was a parent Governor when my daughters attended Sacred Heart, as St. Theresa's was then known as. 

I am the also the link Governor for the curriculum areas of Mathematics, Music and Computing. I am proactive in meeting with staff and subject leads so 
i can see the school's curriculum in action. In my spare time, I am secretary of a disbaled sports club and I take a keen interest in developing the potential and well-being of all athletes at the club. 

I am also a link Governor for wellbeing at the school. I work closely with school staff to ensure all staff and children feel supported. This is demonstrated through the regular drop-in sessions to school and I feel that when the wellbeing of chidren and staff is supported, children show greater to capacity to thrive and learn. 

Father Kevin Tierney - Awaiting Content

Winefride Claber - I was a teacher of French and Spanish for 39 years in schools across Oldham, Rochdale and the city of Peoria (Illinois, U.S.A). The last 26 years of my teaching career was spent at Royton and Crompton School where I was also a Head of Year and Public Relations Manager. Upon retirement, I volunteered for 10 years at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Rochdale. I am the link Governor for PSHE, Religion and MFL (French). My vast experience in education and counselling equip me well for my role as Governor at St. Theresa's. I am a parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Shaw where I am also a school governor. I am married and we have a daughter, son-in-law and grandson who live in County Durham. 

Linda McCombe - I have been Headteacher at St. Theresa's since January 2023 having previously been the Deputy Headteacher here. Prior to this, I worked at Catholic schools in Birmingham and Stockport as Assistant Headteacher. Throughout my teaching career I have taught in Key Stage 2 with the majority of this time spent teaching in Year 6. I have been subject lead in many areas including Assessment, English, Mathematics and SEND. Having worked in 5 different Good or Outstanding schools in 3 different authorities, I am able to bring a wealth of enthusiasm and experience to my role as Headteacher at St. Theresa's and I love nothing more than being able to get back into the classroom and teach as regularly as possible. I am fortunate to work in a school with the most delightful, well-behaved and motivated children I have ever met and look forward to the achievements we can all make together as a school. 

Robert Hawkins - I have worked at St. Theresa's since 2019, teaching in Nursery, Reception and leading the Early Years Foundation Stage. I have been the Deputy Headteacher since January 2023 and have enjoyed playing a part in helping every child to reach their full potential. I have taught in many schools across Manchester and London and my varied experience allows me to bring to my role as Deputy Headteacher and staff governor, a strong understanding of outstanding teaching and learning. As Deputy Headteacher, I lead lots of different curriculum areas at the school, such as Mathematics and PSHE. I am proud to teach at St. Theresa's and will always strive to improve the school and the opportunites available to our wonderful children. 

Susan Asaya - I am thrilled to serve as a Parent Governor at St. Theresa's RC Primary School. Making impactful decisions that actively shape the school for the best fills me with great joy, alligning with my aspiration to influence my child's education positively. As a lawyer, I am able to bring my legal experience to the role, particularly with my knowledge of childcare law and housing disrepair. I am eager to actively shape St. Theresa's future, and I hold a commitment to help to foster a nurturing environment that empowers every student at the school to thrive. 

Mairhead Handrick - Awaiting Content

Elaine Ogden - I was a primary school teacher in Rochdale for 30 years, leading Key Stage 2 and Science for the last 17 years. During my leadership of Science, we attained the Gold Level in the Primary Science Quality Mark. I was also involved in supporting many schools in Rochdale to improve their scientific teaching and I worked with the Science Learning Centre in York. I retired nearly 8 years ago and two of my grandchildren attend St. Theresa's. I also volunteer for the schools appeal service. Although I live in Moorside, I am a parishioner at St. Edward's in Lees and St. Josephs's in Lancaster. 

Joanne Swain - I am currently the manager of a high street bank, and have been with the company for 25 years. I believe the skills and capabilities I have developed throughout my career will transfer well to the role of Parent Governor. I feel that by utilising my skills and experience I can support the governing board in identifying any gaps and strategies that will further develop the school. 

I am able to challenge and support the dedicated staff at St. Theresa's who work very hard in supporting all children to reach their full potential. Since my children started at St. Theresa's, the staff and school community have provided love, care and support for me and my family, in addition to a nurturing school environment that allows all children to thrive. 

Current Governing Body Information

The Sub Committees

There are full Governing Body meetings each term. Much of the work however is carried out in sub committees.

Staffing, Curriculum and Standards

Eileen Lloyd

Linda McCombe

Robert Hawkins

Winefride Claber

Elaine Ogden

Mairhead Handrick

Finance and Premises

Eileen Lloyd

Linda McCombe

Robert Hawkins

Fr. Kevin Tierney

Susan Asaya

Each school governor has a link subject/area within school. In this role, governors work closely with subject leaders to ensure high standards across the school curriculum. Subject link roles are as follows:

Eileen Lloyd - Mathematics, Computing, Music.

Winefride Claber - Religion, PSHE, Modern Foreign Languages.

Mairhead Handrick - English and Phonics, SEND.

Susan Asaya - Art/DT, Health and Safety.

Fr. Kevin Tierney - EYFS, History, Science,  SCR Maintenance, Safeguarding.

Elaine Ogden - PE, Geography.

Record of Governing Board Attendance 2023-24