'Governors are keen that all pupils achieve their best. They visit the school regularly and have a clear understanding of its many strengths. and priorities for development. They set  you challenging but realistic targets which are regularly reviewed. They are very supportive of you but not afraid to ask challenging questions should the need arise.'

Ofsted Quote February 2019

Governance at St Michael's

All schools in England have a governing body. They are the strategic decision makers for their schools. They play a very important role in ensuring that every child  receives the  best possible education . That means making Headteachers accountable  for data, performance of pupils, teachers and finances and asking the right questions. It means ensuring resources are allocated  appropriately and safeguarding the highest standards of financial propriety. It also means ensuring that schools prepare pupils for life  including implementing their Prevent duty and promoting fundamental British Values to protect them from the risks of extremism and radicalisation. 

The Governing Board works in close partnership with the Headteacher, staff and the Archdiocese of Liverpool to deliver three core functions:

• Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

• Hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff

• Oversee the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. 

The Governing Board consists of 12 members:

• The Headteacher

• One elected staff governor

• Seven foundation governors 

• One appointed local authority governor

• Two elected parent governors

The work of the governing body is done by our two committees: 

• Building, Finance and Personnel

• Curriculum and Safeguarding

 The Governing Board of St Michael's

Mike Volynchook - Chair of Governors

Category of Governor - Foundation Governor

Appointed by  - Archdiocese.

Term of office  - 01/05/2019 - 30/04/2027

Committee - Buildings, Finance and Personnel Committee

Responsibilities - SEND / SRE / Website / Mental Health / Headteacher Performance Management

Class Link - Reception/Pre school  - Mrs Owens Miss Strong

Pecuniary Interest declared - None

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

Damian Fallon - Vice Chair of Governors

Category of Governor - Foundation Governor

Appointed by  - Archdiocese

Term of office  - 12/02/2017 - 11/02/2025

Committee - Buildings, Finance and Personnel Committee.

Responsibilities - Finance

Class Link - Year 6 -  Mrs Ingram

Pecuniary Interest declared - None

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

Mary Morris

Category of Governor - Foundation Governor

Appointed by  - Archdiocese

Term of office  - 21/01/2018 -20/01/2026

Committee - Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee.

Responsibilities - Curriculum and RE

Class Link - Year 4 - Miss Smith

Pecuniary Interest declared - None

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

John Geraghty

Category of Governor - Foundation Governor

Appointed by  - Archdiocese

Term of office  - 12/02/2017 - 11/02/2025

Committee - Buildings, Finance and Personnel Committee.

Responsibilities - Health and Safety

Class Link - Year 5 - Mrs Hillier

Pecuniary Interest declared - None

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

Tony McDermott

Category of Governor - Foundation Governor

Appointed by  - Archdiocese

Term of office  - 12/02/2017- 11/02/2025

Committee - Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee.

Responsibilities - Safeguarding

Class Link - Year 3LL - Mrs Leadbetter

Pecuniary Interest declared - None

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - OCA / Riverside College

Cllr Marie Wright

Category of Governor - Local Authority

Appointed by  - Local Authority

Term of office  - 01/11/2019 -31/10/2025

Committee - Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee 

Responsibilities - Pastoral Care

Class Link - Year 3KM - Miss Smith

Pecuniary Interest declared - None

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

Karen Edwardson

Category of Governor - Foundation Governor

Appointed by  - Archdiocese

Term of office  - 24/01/2019 - 23/01/2027

Committee - Buildings, Finance and Personnel Committee.

Responsibilities

Class Link - Year 2SB - Miss Barrow

Pecuniary Interest declared - None

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

Michelle McNicholas

Category of Governor - Foundation Governor

Appointment by - Archdiocese

Term of office - 24/02/21 - 24/02/25

Committee - Curriculum and Safeguarding

Responsibilities -SEND

Class Link - Year 1 - Mrs Boardman

Pecuniary Interests declared - None

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

Wendy Pendleton

Category of Governor - Staff Representative Governor

Appointed by  - Staff elected

Term of office  - 31/10/2019 -30/10/2027

Committee - Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee.

Pecuniary Interest declared - Sibling is Director of Elite Industrial Workwear / Hi Viz.com Workwear

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

Nicola Gardner

Category of Governor -Parent Governor

Appointed by - Governors

Term of office 15/04/2021-14/04/2025

Committee - Curriculum and Safeguarding Committee

Responsibilities

Class link - Year 2PB Mr Borelan

Pecuniary Interest declared - Spouse employed by TR Civil Engineering

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

Clair Newman

Category of Governor -Parent Governor

Appointed by -Governors

Term of office 15/04/21-14/04/2025

Committee -Buildings, Finance and Personnel Committee

Responsibilities

Class Link - Year 5WP -  Mrs Pendleton

Pecuniary Interest Declared - None

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

Paul Loughran

Category of Governor - Headteacher

Committee - Buildings, Finance and Personnel Committee.

Pecuniary Interest declared - Spouse is Director of 'Total Maths' Sibling employed by STL Telecom

Governance Roles in other educational institutions - None

Governing Board Register of Interests
Governors at St Michael's agree to  act impartially and with transparency. The governing board have a responsibility to avoid any conflict between their business, personal interests and affairs and those of the school.
There is a legal duty on all our governors to declare any business interest that could possibly lead to questions of bias when considering specific items of business at a meeting. Any governor with such interests are asked to withdraw, whilst such matters are considered.

To help put this duty into practice, our governing body is required to establish and maintain a register of pecuniary interests indicating any business interests. This includes, if appropriate, the company by whom they are employed, directorships, significant shareholdings or other appointments of influence within a business or other organisation which may have dealings with the school.

Governors include their own interest and those of any member of their immediate family (including partners) or other individuals known to them who may exert influence. The register of interests enables governors to demonstrate that, in spending public money, they do not benefit personally from decisions that they make.

Our Chair of Governors ensures the register is up to date, complete, and includes all governors. The completed register is retained by the Clerk to the Governors.

Governor Class Organisation

Each Governor has an allocated  class with whom they are in regular contact. Classes invite their Governor into school and involve them in special events  and lessons as appropriate.

Please see below the list of allocated classes for the current year.