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 Vice Chair of the Local Governing Body is Mr Damian Bell

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

Governors Register of Interest and Attendance Record

Local Governing Body – June 2022

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.

Mr Damian Bell – Vice Chair of the Local Governing Body

My name is Damian Bell. My family and I have lived Glossop since 2013, having grown up in nearby Hayfield.

I attended St Mary’s Primary in New Mills as a child and later attended St Thomas More Secondary School in Buxton. It is lovely that both these schools are now linked with St Mary’s Glossop as part of the St Ralph Sherwin CMAT. After completing A-Levels at Aquinas College in Stockport I volunteered for a year at The Briars, the Nottingham Diocesan Catholic Youth Centre; a fantastic 12 months that contributed to my own personal development as I helped young people from around the Diocese explore their own faith.

I went on to study Environmental Science at University in Leeds before working in public and private sector roles around the UK.

I now work in IT for an asset management company and have previously managed operational contracts for the same company. This involved managing large teams of people to deliver highways, construction and environmental services contracts for public sector customers.

I married my wife Annette in 2010 and our daughters both attend our wonderful school.

My mum was a teacher, my dad was a headteacher and my sister is now a deputy head at a school in London so, whilst I have never taught myself, I hope that my background helps me to understand some of the unique pressures, challenges and joys that are part of being an educational professional in the 21st century.

I enjoy being a governor. I do my best to use my skills and experience to support the Chair of Governors and our school’s senior leaders. As a Catholic and a Foundation Governor I also try to ensure that the school’s Catholic character is evident in everything that happens at St Mary’s. My biggest hope is that all our children are educated and inspired both academically and spiritually and leave our school with happy memories having achieved their full potential.

Mrs Róisín Reynolds – Foundation Governor

My name is Róisín Reynolds and I have lived in Glossop for 15 years. I am a foundation governor at Saint Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy.  I am married to Joe and I have two children both of whom attend local Catholic schools – Saint Mary’s and St Philip Howard Catholic Voluntary Academy.

As a Catholic, I am passionate about the importance of Catholic education and I attended Catholic schools for both my primary and secondary education in Ireland.  I have worked as a nurse for over 30 years in a variety of settings. The different roles throughout my career have given me a wealth of experience that I can utilise in my role as Governor at Saint Mary’s. I am passionate about ensuring that the health and wellbeing needs of the children are being met and helping to ensure an excellent education with a Catholic caring ethos for both students and staff.

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.