Governors
Welcome to our Governors’ section.
Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A GOVERNING BODY?
The DfE states that the key purpose of a Governing Body is to help schools provide the best possible education for pupils. Governing Bodies do this by:
Working with the Head Teacher and staff to set strategic aims for the school, based on its mission and strategies
Monitoring and evaluating performance, acting as a critical friend to the Head Teacher and Senior Management Team to support and challenge them in running the school
Ensuring that the school is accountable to the children and parents it serves, to its local community, to those who fund and maintain it, as well as to the staff it employs
OUR MISSION STATEMENT AT ST JAMES’S
"St James's is a Catholic School in which each individual grows in the knowledge and love of Christ. In partnership with parents and the whole community, our purpose is to provide a high standard of education, giving the maximum opportunity to realise each person's potential"
Our focus as a Governing Body is to strive to ensure that the school is able to deliver that mission. We therefore focus our attention on making sure that:
Every individual is able to grow in the knowledge and love of Christ
Children and staff have the maximum opportunity to realise their individual potential
The school provides a high standard and a broad based education
We work in partnership with parents, staff, the local community and other stakeholders in the interests of the children and the community we serve
WHO MAKES UP THE GOVERNING BODY?
The Governing Body is made up of a combination of the following:
Parent Governors (2) are elected by, and act as representatives of the parent body. They serve a term of four years with the next elections in October 2024.
Foundation Governors (10) are appointed by the RC Diocese of Westminster and serve for four years. Under Diocesan guidelines, only two foundation governors can be parents who have children currently attending the school.
Staff Governors (2) The Head teacher is a member of the governing body by virtue of his position. School staff elects one other staff governor.
Local Authority Governor (1) is nominated by the Local Authority (LA) and appointed by the governing body. Appointments are made on the basis of the individual’s interests and experience at work, home or elsewhere which may be relevant to being a governor.
Co-opted Governors (3) are appointed by the Governing Body. Appointments are made taking into account the skills required to contribute to the effective governance and success of the school.
HOW DOES THE GOVERNING BODY WORK?
The Board of Governors administers business through five sub-committees.
- The Admissions committee is chaired by Fiona Shepherd. The committee’s role is to set and annually review the school’s admissions policy to ensure compliance with legislation and the guidelines of the Diocese of Westminster. The committee checks all applications for entry to the school and prepares a ranked list of Reception applicants for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames (LBRuT) who administer school place offers. The committee also processes Nursery applications, in-year admissions and prepares a response to any appeals.
- The Finance committee is chaired by Edel Hindley. This committee is responsible for the strategic and efficient management of the school budget in line with the requirements set by the Local Authority and/or Department of Education. It regularly monitors expenditure and considers and approves budget priorities in order to ensure value for money. The finance committee also manages the Governors’ fund.
The Pay & Personnel committee is chaired by Ann Edes. The purpose of this committee is to ensure that all procedures relating to the recruitment, selection, appointment of staff and their related salaries comply with legislation and current LA guidelines. This includes review of the appropriate school policies, participation in interviews for new (and exiting) staff and in meetings relating to any disciplinary matters, as well as reviewing staffing structures with the Headteacher. In addition, the committee is responsible with the Chair of Governors for undertaking the performance management of the Headteacher and ensuring that the school’s performance management policy is operating effectively.
- The Safeguarding committee is chaired by Carole Tupper. Its purpose is to ensure the school is a safe and nurturing environment for all stakeholders. This includes child protection, school security and inclusivity.
- The Teaching, Learning and Assessment committee is chaired by Robert Razzell. It forms the link between the governing body and teaching and learning in the school. The committee reviews and seeks to maintain and/or enhance standards within St James’s by assessing relevant subject and curriculum areas, including statutory assessment requirements. It reviews relevant data to monitor progress, set targets and review subsequent actions, giving regular feedback on school actions and their intended outcomes, and reflecting systematically on the effectiveness of teaching approaches. It aims to inform and involve governors on the progress of teaching and learning as outlined in the School Development Plan and individual subject plans.
- In addition to the sub-committees, this year, some of the governors are involved in a working party organised by the Diocese of Westminster to consider implications of current educational strategic thinking around Multi-Academy Trusts.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Chair of Governors – Julie Key, Foundation Governor
Julie was a parent at St James’s School for eleven years, having had a daughter and a son in the school. Before giving up work to focus on family life, she was a forensic accounting partner in a large London accountancy firm. She serves the school as a foundation governor, having joined the board in September 2015, and shares the rest of her time between her family, sitting on the Board of St Giles Trust, a national charity, and being a magistrate.
Committees: Finance, Pay & Personnel, MAT working party
GB Posts held: Chair of Governing Board
Ciaran Beatty – Staff Governor (Headteacher)
Committees: All committees
Lydia Cuddy-Gibbs – Local Authority Governor
Lydia is a teacher and experienced school senior leader. Currently, she works as Head of EYFS for a large multi-academy trust. She lives in Twickenham with her young daughter, husband and two cats. In her spare time, Lydia enjoys baking and going to the theatre. Lydia is a parishioner of St Margaret of Scotland. She joined the Governing Board in June 2020.
Committees: Admissions, Teaching, Learning & Assessment
GB Posts Held: Early Years Link Governor
Fauzia Cullasy-Doran - Co-opted Governor
Fauzia’s professional background is in education teaching science to pupils from year three up to sixth form. They currently tutors looked-after children for local authorities. Fauzia also volunteers as a counsellor for people who are feeling suicidal. In their spare time Fauzia loves to read and travel as much as possible. They have three children, one of whom is at St. James’s. Fauzia was co-opted to the Board in November 2020.
Committees: Safeguarding
GB Posts Held: Diversity Link Governor
Ann Edes – Foundation Governor
Ann joined the Governing Board in January 2014 and has served as Chair of the Pay and Personnel Committee and was Vice Chair of the Governing Board from Sept 2015 until Sept 2021. She has two grown-up daughters. Her professional career has been with a global management consultancy firm, with experience in the spheres of both finance and human resources. She now works on a part-time basis for a local charity, Home-Start, Richmond, Kingston & Hounslow. Ann is a parishioner of St Margaret of Scotland.
Committees: Admissions, Pay & Personnel (Chair)
Frank Glennon – Parent Governor
Frank’s professional background is in education and inclusion, having worked firstly as a teacher and, for over 15 years, as an educational psychologist, supporting children and young people, families and educational settings. He is currently the Principal Educational Psychologist in an Inner London Borough. Frank has two sons at St James. Frank was elected in October 2020 as parent governor. Committees: Teaching, Learning & Assessment
GB Posts Held: Inclusion Link Governor
Vice Chair of Governors - Edel Hindley, Foundation Governor
Edel was a parent at St James for 7 years. Edel was elected as a parent governor in January 2018 having completed 2.5 years as Chair of the PFA, and before that was a class rep and acting treasurer. Edel qualified as a Chartered Accountant in her home city, Dublin, and worked in Central Europe for several years before moving to Twickenham. She is currently working in business process governance for a large building society.
Committees: Finance (Chair), Safeguarding
GB Posts Held: Sports Premium Link Governor
Dermot Main Thompson – Foundation Governor
Dermot is barrister of Grayʼs Inn and a part-time judge (Recorder), originally allocated to the Western Circuit and now with more of a “roving brief”. He adjudicates in civil, criminal and family cases and is a Deputy High Court Judge of the Family Division. Born in the Garden of England to Irish parents (Tipperary and Offaly) he is a dual national, educated in Kent, by Berkshire Benedictines at Douai and at the University of Cambridge (MA and LLM). A Munster-supporting Harlequinsʼ season ticket holder and faithful aficionado of The Arsenal FC (44 years and long-time season ticket holder), he numbers travel, the theatre, the countryside and gardening amongst his interests. He is a French and Spanish speaker. Dermot has been a parishioner of St Jamesʼs for nearly 20 years and joined the Governing Board in June 2020.
Committees: Admissions, Pay & Personnel
Ciaran Merrigan – Parent Governor
Ciaran joined the board in October 2020 and has one son attending St James’s. He has worked in advisory roles across government and the private sector, including at the Department for Education: investigating and advising on reducing teacher and school burden and improving teacher recruitment and attainment, at the Home Office and GCHQ: providing technical leadership to encourage global technology firms to improve protection for children from online harm and with the Royal Navy: upskilling personnel with digital, data and technology skills and designing / building new digital services. Ciaran is also a children’s football coach and life member of local sports club.
Committees: Safeguarding
BG Posts Held: IT Vision Link Governor
Hilary O'Sullivan - Foundation Governor
Hilary has been a parishioner at St James church for over 20 years. She is the parent of 3 children who all attended St James’s School between 2006 and 2017. One of her children has SEND so she has a special interest in special education and inclusion. Before her children were born, Hilary had a career in advertising. Whilst her children were at St James' Hilary did a PGCE at St Marys and now teaches in a local primary school. Hilary joined the Governing Board in September 2020.
Committees: Admissions, Teaching, Learning & Assessment
GB Posts Held: Pupil Premium Link Governor
Robert Razzell – Co-Opted Governor
Robert joined the Governing Board in May 2019. Robert has two daughters, the youngest of which is at St James’s. He qualified as a chartered accountant at a Big 4 firm, and has since worked in both the private and public sectors, specialising in major projects and property, including the London Olympics and the Building Schools for the Future programme.
Committees: Finance; Teaching, Learning and Assessment (chair),
GB Posts Held: Mental Health & Well-being Link Governor, RSE Link Governor
Justin Ryan – Foundation Governor
Justin joined the Governing Board in May 2019. He is a Fellow of the Australia & New Zealand Chartered Accountants & works as a management consultant in Insurance and Banking in the City of London. Justin has two children at St James and lives in Strawberry Hill.
Committees: Finance & Safeguarding
Aileen Sharp – Clerk
Fiona Shepherd – Foundation Governor
Fiona joined the Governing Board in September 2015. She has a son at St James's. Fiona works part-time at the National Theatre as Technical Administration Manager.
Committees: Admissions (Chair)
GB Posts Held: PFA Link Governor, Environmental Link Governor
Carole Tupper – Foundation Governor
Carole joined the Governing Board in April 2016. She qualified as a solicitor and worked in commercial property before having children. She now works as a Practice Manager for a firm of architects. Her two daughters attended Gumley House and the London Oratory – one is now working as a doctor and the other is training with Teach First.
Committees: Pay & Personnel, Safeguarding (Chair)
GB Posts Held: RE Link Governor
Stephen Wasmuth- Staff Governor – Y2 Teacher/Assistant Headteacher
Committees: Teaching, Learning & Assessment
Governors who have stood down in last 12 months:
Peter Cousins resigned at end of term of office August 2021
Colin Messenger resigned at end of term of office July 2021
Jane Palmer resigned at end of term of office August 2021
Nicola Richards resigned due to relocation November 2021
Updated: January 2022
Details on Governors meeting attendance, terms of office and declaration of interest can be found here.
Name | Committees GB Posts Held | Date of First Appointment | End of Current Term of Office | Meeting Attendance(*) (School year 2020-2021) | Declaration of Business Interest |
Ciaran Beatty | All Committees | Sept 2020 | Ex officio | 37/38 | Staff |
Fauzia Cullasy Doran | Safeguarding Diversity Link Governor | Nov 2020 | Nov 2024 | 4/7 | None |
Peter Cousins | End of Term August 2021 | ||||
Lydia Megan Cuddy-Gibbs nee Gibbs | Pay & Personnel Teaching, Learning & Assessment Professional Learning & Outreach MAT Working Party Early Years Link Governor | June 2020 | June 2024 | 9/19 | None |
Mary Therese Cunnane | Resigned October 2020 |
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth Ann Edes | Admissions Pay & Personnel | Jan 2014 | Aug 2025 | 16/16 | None |
Frank Glennon | Teaching, Learning & Assessment MAT Working Party Inclusion link governor | Oct 2020 | Oct 2024 | 9/11 | None |
Edel Hindley Maiden name Harbison used professionally | Finance (Chair) Safeguarding Sports Premium Link Governor | Feb 2018 | Aug 2024 | 20/21 | None
|
Julie Ann Key Maiden name Rice used professionally | Finance Pay & Personnel Professional Learning & Outreach MAT Working Party Chair of the Governing Board | Feb 2016 | Aug 2023 | 20/20 | None |
Dermott Michael Main Thompson | Admissions, Pay & Personnel | June 2020 | June 2024 | 12/16 | None |
Ciaran Merrigan | Safeguarding Professional Learning & Outreach IT Link Governor | Oct 2020 | Oct 2024 | Recently appointed | None |
Colin Henry Manwaring Messenger | Resigned July 2021 | ||||
Hilary O’Sullivan | Admissions Teaching, Learning & Assessment Pupil Premium Link Governor | Sept 2020 | Aug 2024 | 16/19 | Staff member at local primary school |
Jane Ann Palmer | End of term August 2021 | ||||
Robert Steven Razzell | Finance Teaching, Learning & Assessment (Chair) MAT Working Party Mental Health & Well-being Link Governor | May 2018 | May 2022 | 17/20 | None |
Nicola Sarah Richards Maiden name Bell used professionally | Pay & Personnel (Chair) Safeguarding Professional Learning & Outreach | July 2016 | Aug 2023 | 17/18 | None |
Justin Matthew Ryan | Finance Safeguarding | May 2018 | Aug 2023 | 16/21 | None |
Fiona Shepherd Maiden name Oram used professionally | Admissions (Chair) PFA Link Governor Environmental Link Governor | Sept 2015 | Aug 2021 | 12/12 | None |
Claire Louise Simms Also known by maiden name, Scholes | Resigned at end of term of office, September 2020 |
|
|
|
|
Carole Anne Tupper | Pay & Personnel Safeguarding (Chair) RE Link Governor Safeguarding Link Governor | Apr 2016 | Aug 2023 | 14/18 | None |
Stephen Wasmuth | Teaching, Learning & Assessment | Sept 2017 | Jul 2025 | 13/13 | Staff |
(*) Total possible meeting attendance varies based on committee schedules
Updated: October 2021
Code of Conduct
How to get hold of us.
If you have any issues, concerns or want to ask any questions you can get hold of us through one of the following means:
Please contact Mr. Beatty with regards to any concerns or issues.
- Email or correspondence to Mr. Beatty - info@st-james.richmond.sch.uk
- Email to the Clerk of Governors- aileen.sharp@st-james.richmond.sch.uk
- Or in writing to the Chair of Governors and handed into the school office.