Governance

Welcome to our Governors’ Section

The Local Governing Body is a Committee of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust (SRSCMAT).

Our Local Governors are a committed and hard working group of people who have enormous responsibility – even though they volunteer their services freely. They meet up to six times during the academic year following the schedule set out by the CMAT.

Saint Mary’s Local Governing Body

The Chair of the Local Governing Body is Mrs Samantha Buller

The Local Governing Body has the following responsibilities:

• Ensuring that the school is conducted as a Catholic school, meeting the expectations set out for his schools by the Bishop of Nottingham including on the development of the Catholic Life of the school including facilitating diocesan canonical inspection
• Safeguarding and promoting the Catholic values of the school
• Supporting the CMAT with the appointment of senior leaders and other reserved posts
• Supporting the headteacher with the appointment of other staff
• Supporting effective governance at all levels of the CMAT
• Supporting the leadership team at the school and acting as a critical friend
• Supporting the CMAT in the development of succession planning of leadership within the school and the CMAT
• Maintaining a detailed understanding of the strengths and areas for development of the school
• Regularly monitoring the school development plan and in-year performance and progress data (where appropriate)
• Monitoring performance management in the school and supporting the performance management of the headteacher
• Monitoring the management of pupil behaviour, attendance, exclusions and admissions
• Monitoring the effectiveness of the deployment of resources at the school
• Developing the engagement with the local school and parish community

The scheme of delegation provides greater detail about responsibilities of the LGB

Scheme of Delegation – September 2024

Governors Register of Interest and Attendance Record

MGL Governor Attendance with Declarations 2023-24

The dates of the meetings of the Local Governing Body can be found on the school calendar.

Meet the Local Governing Body

Mrs Sam Buller – Chair of the Local Governing Body

As an ex-pupil of Saint Mary’s, I feel I am incredibly privileged to hold the position of Chair of Governors for our wonderful school.

As with many of our families within the school community, I too, grew up on the neighbouring Whitfield estate, and it is heart-warming to see so many children and families from the same estate, continuing to choose the Saint Mary’s Catholic family, to provide a well-rounded academic and spiritual education for their little ones.

I came from a working-class background, but always aspired to go to university, an aim that was greatly encouraged by my parents. In 1996 I qualified as a registered nurse, graduating from the University of Manchester and went on to have a successful career as a Nursing Sister in the operating theatres at Tameside Hospital.

Unfortunately, life takes twists and turns, and in 2012, I made the difficult choice to leave this career due to health reasons and became a full-time mum to my four children. However, my new found role as governor in 2015, and a volunteer in school, saw new doors opening, with new opportunities. In June 2020, I successfully completed a BA in Education, and I am now currently back at the University of Manchester reading a Masters in Educational Leadership.

My aim is to embrace the knowledge and experience I have gained, to work effectively alongside, and support, the dedicated staff and governors at Saint Mary’s, in ensuring this is a school we all continue to be proud of. I believe our school provides a nurturing, safe environment, where children can build resilience, aspire to achieve, and where parents feel supported to encourage their little ones, just as my parents did.

Mrs Kerry Lees – Foundation Governor

My name is Kerry Lees and I grew up in Glossop. I was a pupil at Saint Mary’s before moving on to St Philip Howard school. From there I then attended college and went to Salford University reading Business Studies.