Governors
The aim of the Governor team at our school is to work with the staff in helping the children achieve their full potential in a happy, caring environment.
We do this in four main ways:
- Monitoring the performance and progress of our children;
- Working with the staff to help them teach and care for our children;
- Deciding on how the resources of the school are best used;
- Planning ahead so that the performance of our children and our school continues to improve.
To deliver this effectively the Governor team members are representative of all the key groups involved in our school – the Parents, the Staff, the Local Authority, the Community and the Church. Some are appointed and some are elected. All serve for a term of four years.
We meet together at least once a term as a whole team, and into sub groups focused on different areas of school life.
We are always keen to hear your views, so please feel free to contact any of us directly. We look forward to a continued successful partnership with you.
Governing Board Members
| Name | Type of Governor |
|---|---|
| Payal Gordhan | Chair of Governors, Foundation Governor, Pupil Safeguarding, Wellness and Belonging Champion |
| Laura Bolton | Vice Chair of Governors, Foundation Governor |
| David Hennessy | Foundation Governor |
| Bryde Ibeh | Foundation Governor |
| Charlotte Jones | Foundation Governor |
| Anne-Marie Kalala | Foundation Governor |
| Rina Patel | Parent Governor |
| Magdalena Stanisz | Parent Governor |
| Emma Whittingham | Principal |
| Molly Dorsett | Staff Governor |
| Stacy Perrow | Clerk to the Governors |
Also see:
Governor Profiles
Laura Bolton
Vice-Chair, Foundation Governor
About me
Hello, my name is Laura Bolton and as a former pupil of St Mark’s, I am delighted to return as a Foundation Governor. As a mum to a pupil in Year One, I value the important role that a Catholic education plays in a child’s development, both academically and in their faith. Through my own experiences and my family’s connection with the school, I am passionate about supporting the school community and helping every child reach their full potential.
David Hennessy
Foundation Governor
About me
Hello, my name is David Hennessy and I am a Foundation Governor at St Mark’s Catholic Primary School. I am an electronics engineer by trade and I am married with three children who are all away from home studying at University. I enjoy watching amateur rugby matches in my free time and I regularly attend Sunday mass at Holy Name church.
Why do you want to be a governor at St Mark’s?
My children benefitted from a Catholic primary school education and now that I have a bit more time on my hands, I want to help the current generation of children to have the same great Catholic education that my children received.
Payal Gordhan
Chair of Governors, Foundation Governor
About me
Hello, my name is Payal Gordhan and I am a Foundation Governor at St Marks Catholic Primary School. At present I am also the Vice Chair of the Governing Board. I am married and I have two daughters, my hobbies are enjoying spending time with my family; I like to go for long walks and I also enjoy my summer holidays visiting my mother.
Why do you want to be a governor at St Mark’s?
It’s a privilege to be a Foundation Governor of St Mark’s Catholic Primary School where I can help and support the senior leaders, staff, governors and parents in the Catholic faith. I work as a full-time Parish Administrator at The Holy Name Catholic Parish Office. At St Marks, both my daughters received their primary education before moving onto secondary school. I have always been an active member of St Marks school since 2011 when I first started working as a lunch time supervisor. Then I was also involved and still am a member of St Mark’s Friends. I also did my teaching assistant placement at St Marks while volunteering for over five years. I feel very much part of the St Mark’s family as the school holds a very special place in my heart and therefore I am passionately dedicated in my Foundation Governor role. In my various roles at St Marks, I have learned so much through my Governor training courses and am learning everyday so that I can be supportive to my Senior leaders and teachers so that every child receive the very best of education and learning support.
Bryde Ibeh
Foundation Governor
About me
Hello, my name is Bryde Ibeh, mum of three and a health care assistant. It is a privilege to serve as a Foundation Governor at St. Mark’s Catholic Primary School, where I can help and support the staff, parents, pupils and senior leaders as we all grow together according to our Catholic faith and the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Charlotte Jones
Foundation Governor
About me
Hello, my name is Charlotte Jones and I am a Foundation Governor at St. Mark’s Catholic Primary School. I am married and have three children, two of whom attended St. Mark’s and are now at secondary school and the youngest is currently in KS1 at St. Mark’s. I work as a teaching assistant at another Catholic primary school within the local area and attend mass at Holy Name church. My hobbies include spending time with my family and friends, reading and going to the theatre.
Anne-Marie Kalala
Foundation Governor
About me
As a parent, teacher and Foundation Governor at St Mark’s Catholic Primary School, I look forward to supporting the school’s Catholic ethos and its commitment to helping every child reach their full potential. As the founder of a community-focused social enterprise that promotes learning opportunities, I am passionate about inclusive education and ensuring that children feel supported, valued and encouraged to succeed. I believe that strong partnerships between schools, families and the wider community play an important role in children’s development. I look forward to working collaboratively with fellow governors and the school community to support pupils’ learning, wellbeing and personal growth.
Rina Patel
Parent Governor
About me
I have two children who attend the school and became a Parent Governor to help support the wider school community. I am the SEND and Attendance Governor and am passionate about ensuring all children have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. I have worked for HMRC since 2003 and am currently a Customer Compliance Manager for Police and Fire Services across England and Wales. I enjoy the variety and challenges my role brings, as well as meeting and working with a range of organisations. As a family, we love travelling and exploring different cultures and foods. I also enjoy running, although 5km is about my limit! One of the many reasons I am proud to be a governor at this school is its strong Catholic ethos. The school’s values of compassion, respect, kindness, and service are evident in everyday school life and help create a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to grow both academically and spiritually. I am delighted to play a small part in supporting the dedicated staff, governors, and families who make our school such a welcoming and caring community.
Magdalena Stanisz
Parent Governor
About me
Hello, my name is Magdalena I am a Parent Governor at St Marks Primary School. I work in logistics in Recycling and Recovery industry. I love spending time with my family and friends. We travel a lot as we enjoy visiting and exploring different countries and cultures. I also love reading books.
Why do you want to be a governor at St Mark’s?
It is a privilege to be a Parent Governor at St Marks where my daughter is currently receiving her primary education. I wanted to become a part of St Marks family to be able to support the senior leaders for our children to have the best Catholic education possible. I am always willing to learn and I am fully committed. I am also passionate about Health and Safety and Sustainability which can be very beneficial for St Marks and our children.