'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 -31/10/2022
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 -30/10/2023
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.