Governing Body

 

Rothwell St Mary’s Governing Body

Our Governing body consists of seven foundation Governors who are appointed to act by the Diocese. We have two elected parent governors, one elected teacher governor and one representative from the local authority. Our Governors support our school and bring their own expertise and experience to help inform the school.

More information on school governance can be found here: https://governorsforschools.org.uk/#

 

 

Meet our Governors:

Fr. Michael Hughes- Parish Priest and Foundation Governor:

I was born in Colchester Essex – born from a proud Huddersfield Sergeant Major and an Irish house wife. I moved to Wakefield when I was 13 and consider this my home! After leaving school at 16 to worked for British Gas. A late vocational call to priesthood changed my life direction. In 1994 I began my training which took me all over, including Osterly and then Beda College in Rome. I have served all over Harrogate, Leeds and Bradford in a number of parishes and was the hospital Chaplain for St. James for over 5 years – this was a particularly challenging job!
As a priest, I am an experienced school governor. I am happy to support the strategic governance of St. Mary’s with what little experience I have to support the Catholic Life of school. My only hope as a governor and parish priest of the school is that all the children will leave this school with a positive attitude to faith and appreciate the Catholic mission.

Aside from the priesthood and governance, I enjoy playing golf and watching a lot of sport! I enjoy spending time with family including my Mother and brother.

 
Chair of Governors: Mr. Robert Freeman 

It was a great honour to be asked to join the Governing body of St. Mary’s RC Primary School. I joined as a Foundation Governor in November 2021.I have spent my working life in Aerospace Engineering, having worked for Rolls-Royce plc (aero-engines) for over 40 years in various technical, customer and management roles, both in the UK and overseas. As an engineer, I have an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and I hope my work and life experiences will enable me to enhance the character and growth of this wonderful school. My familiarity with Rothwell began in 2014 when my daughter and her family moved into the parish and my wife and I moved to the area in February 2020, following my retirement. I am an active member of St. Mary’s parish, and I am delighted that my grandson has joined the school. I am extremely impressed with the school and its Catholic character and believe that the Mission Statement and Vision and Values of St. Mary’s encapsulate everything to which a Catholic Primary School should aspire. I am fully committed to supporting the Headteacher and staff to ensure that all pupils at Rothwell St Mary’s reach their full potential.

I took on the role of Chair of Governors in September 2024. My other roles within the Governing body include Health & Safety, Complaints and Head Teacher Performance Management (HTPM).

LA Governor- Clare Laycock

I am delighted to have been asked to join the governing body at St Mary’s as a parent governor.  I am new to St Mary’s as my son has just started in reception. Since then, I have been incredibly impressed with the ethos of the school, the care given to the pupils and the clear links to the Catholic community to help our children grow spiritually as well as educationally.
 
I work as a trade union officer for the Royal College of Nursing, supporting and advising nursing staff with workplace disputes as well as providing training and education to workplaces. My previous experiences have been in teaching (secondary), banking, NHS commissioning and most recently running a GP practice.
 
I am a disabled parent with mobility issues and many of you will have seen me picking my son up on my mobility scooter. I’m passionate about equality and diversity and inclusion and hope to support the Head and the school in being as inclusive as possible and I’d welcome the opportunity to support other parents if they experience similar issues as well as being a voice for all parents in the school.
 
 In my spare time I love to read, go to the theatre especially to watch musicals and I’m passionate about Tudor history so love a visit to a castle or stately home. I’m a keen football fan and sadly support Everton FC who have been somewhat success challenged, and I love watching the Olympics particularly the diving and athletics.

 

Foundation Governor- Barbara Lavelli

My name is Barbara Lavelli and I am proud to be one of the Foundation Governors at Rothwell St Marys. The school has an outstanding reputation in our local area and I was very honoured to be asked to join the governing body here.
I grew up in south London but moved to Yorkshire to complete my Computing and Business Studies honours degree at Huddersfield. A strong love of Yorkshire encouraged me to settle here permanently and, after time spent in Halifax and Wakefield, I now live in Rothwell where I am a parishioner of St Marys church and member of their SVP committee.
I have spent the last 35 years working in information technology related roles for a major financial company. As well as technical related computer competencies, I have extensive experience of problem solving, project management and risk auditing. I am shortly due to retire and I am excited to bring my skills to the school governor role whilst also developing new abilities and knowledge in the education sector.  
Having seen the wonderful work and dedication of everyone involved with Rothwell St Marys, I very much look forward to working with you all.

Foundation Governor: Colette Richardson

I am delighted to have been asked to be a Foundation Governor at Rothwell St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. My connection with the school goes back a long way to when I was a pupil there. My mum was a dinner lady in the late 60’s early 70’s. Both my children were pupils at St Mary’s and have gone on to have great careers. My eldest Son and his family live in Horsforth. 3 years ago I became a Grandma, a little girl Evelyn. She is the light of my life and keeps me very busy. My youngest Son has always travelled the world and currently lives in Los Angeles. We try to visit at least once a year and keep in touch by FaceTime.

I have recently retired from a wonderful career as Office Manager at Hunslet St Joseph’s Primary School. A school very similar to St Mary’s where the children in their care are loved and nurtured on their educational journey. I hope to bring some of the skills, knowledge and expertise I gained over the 27 years to benefit the Community of St Mary’s. In my role as Finance Governor I will ensure the budget is well managed and provides the best education for the children. During my spare time I enjoy Pilates, Fitsteps, gardening and meeting with friends.

I am looking forward to continuing my love for education and school life supporting the St Mary’s Community.

 

Foundation Governor: Caroline Lavelle:

My name is Caroline Lavelle and I am one of the Foundation Governors at Rothwell St Marys. I live locally and have a daughter who attends St Marys. I was delighted to become a governor, and as a parent had experienced first hand what an amazing school Rothwell St Mary’s is and wanted to give something back both to the school and the Parish community.

I work in Marketing/Sales and hope that some of this experience may be of benefit to the school. I have also been a Trustee on a charity board which again I hope lends itself well to the role of governor.

Outside of work, I have a young daughter who attends the school and who keeps me busy. I enjoy theatre, reading and spending time with my family.

I am so proud to have the opportunity to support the school, its leadership team, its teachers and pupils and look forward to being an active member of the school community.

Foundation Governor: Andrew Pidhajeckyj

 

 

Staff Governor: Mrs Rachel Sheldon-Price

My name is Rachel Sheldon-Price, and I am the Learning Mentor at Rothwell St Mary’s. I have been in post for 11 years – my career at Rothwell St Mary’s started as a Teaching Assistant and I then became a HLTA (I still fulfil this role).

My career saw me working for a Sure Start local programme, I started this as a volunteer whilst studying at university for a degree in Childhood Studies (the plan was to become a teacher). I enjoyed the idea of helping communities and families that would not always access quality education and activities at a young age and to help provide this in their local area. This then saw me progress into a leadership role and finally running an outreach centre for Sure Start Children’s Centre. I was given an amazing opportunity to work with prisoners and their families in a project that was supported by HMP Armley. I have experienced many opportunities in the community and have had the experience of seeing the work that lots of organisations do including Women’s Aid.

I am married to Gareth and have two Children Emily- Rose (15) and Maxwell (12) both children were very lucky to have been pupils at Rothwell St Mary’s and this has given them the best educational foundations.

As a family we love to see the world and experience cultures, most Saturday nights are spent thinking about our bucket list. We try to use the holidays to frequent places that we have never been. Maxwell loves history and often has us in and out of museums in every place we go – even Texas!!!

Emily loves the beach and water sports – we get a great variety of experiences.

When at home we love to walk and spend time with our recently acquired horse Demi. Our children are very sporty, and this is often what fills up our weekends.

I hope that my expertise will benefit the Governing Body and that I can help with schools progress in the future.

 

Dimitrios Georgalis- Parent Governor

My name is Dimitrios Georgalis and it was a great honour when I was invited to the Governing Body. I am a parent governor, with both my kids attending this marvellous school, my son is in Year 2 and my daughter in Year 4. Like all parents, I have a keen interest in ensuring all children have a great school experience, and I will try to represent all parent’s voices in the governing body.

My career was and still is in secondary or higher education. I am currently working as a maths teacher at Leeds City College, actively striving for quality learning, promoting the subject of mathematics, and am keen to give something back in terms of my time and experience.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, walking, music, and quality time with my family.

Ms Natalie Ibbetson- Parent Governor:

My name is Natalie Ibbetson and I’m a parent governor with a son in Year 4 and two nephews at the school. I’m a qualified counsellor running a reputable practice with my best friend/business partner, and I also work in IT, mainly Infrastructure and Problem Management, where I’ve spent 17 years, including almost five in the NHS. I’m also a fully qualified Reiki Practitioner/Holistic Wellbeing Therapist with additional diplomas in Wellbeing Nutrition and Diet, Mindfulness for Children, Mental Wellbeing for Children & Young People, ADHD/Autism and SEND Awareness, and Child Psychology.

Outside of work, I’m a dedicated martial artist and compete nationally alongside my son, best friend, and nephews. Family time is very important to me, and I love being outdoors and spending time in nature.

The education opportunities and strong values that St Mary’s provides are a big part of why I chose the school for my son. I fully support its ethos and the way it nurtures children’s growth and faith in a supportive Catholic environment. I believe strongly that every child is an individual with their own way of learning, and I see St Mary’s honouring that every day.

I feel I have a lot to offer as a parent governor and I’m committed to supporting the school, staff, and leadership team in providing the best, safest, and most nurturing environment for all children. Rothwell St Mary’s is an outstanding school and I’m proud to be part of it.

 

Associate Members:

Ms Helen MacPherson – School Business Manager
Mrs Seanna Sweeney – Deputy Head
 
The Vision and Values of our School

In order to carry out our Mission, we believe that we should aim to:

  • Provide a happy secure caring and stimulating learning environment within a welcoming Christian Community.
  • Create a Catholic community, encouraging an understanding of our faith through teaching and active prayer in the home, school and parish.
  • Encourage the highest standards of academic excellence and behaviour.
  • Encourage children to take responsibility for themselves and become independent learners.
  • Educate and celebrate the whole child as an individual, preparing them spiritually, morally, physically, socially, intellectually and emotionally for their future lives.
  • Provide our children with a curriculum which is purposeful, sequential and spiritual
  • Provide a firm and consistent framework of discipline and encourage children to take responsibility for themselves.
  • Actively involve parents in the education of their children.
  • Encourage an awareness of and a respect for other faiths.
  • Provide effective liaison with the local secondary school and ensure continuity of the children’s education.
  • Encourage children to do their personal best, enjoy their school experiences and build upon their successes.

Our Pupils

Our pupils are our greatest asset.

We are very proud of our children and their achievements.  We help them to grow in their faith in a supportive Catholic environment.  Through carefully planned lessons, daily prayer, collective worship, Mass and reflection and enrichment opportunities we help to prepare them for transition to secondary school as confident, responsible, caring young people.

The Staff

The staff are our greatest resource

We have an experienced, talented and dedicated staff at St. Mary’s who work together to support the school’s Catholic ethos and ensure that each pupil reaches his or her potential.

Our excellent standards reflect the children’s positive attitudes to learning, consistent good teaching and the high level of pastoral support we provide.  All of which are strengths of the school.  The combined strength of our staff ensures that the ethos and values of our mission statement provide all pupils with high quality teaching and learning within a supportive environment.

High Standards of Pastoral Care

Our staff go the extra mile

We are proud to provide a positive and caring environment for our pupils where they can achieve, feel safe and be happy.

Pupil Behaviour and Presentation

Our children are great ambassadors for the school

We understand that this can only be achieved in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.   Our success depends on the close working partnership and commitment of parents, staff, governors and the parish.

Parents are encouraged to become fully involved in the education of their child.  The Home School Agreement symbolises our approach to parents and the school working together for the benefit of the child.

Our staff team works to ensure that any problems are dealt with swiftly and efficiently.  If it is necessary, we will inform parents or carers and seek their support.  All our pupils wear full school uniform.  High standards of appearance reinforce our values of self-respect and pride in being a pupil of Rothwell St Mary’s Catholic Primary School.

Values

In order to achieve this ethos within our school and the wider community that we serve, there are a number of values and principles which guide our actions in school.

First and foremost are the values that are at the heart of the Gospels:

  • Love and solidarity
  • Faithfulness and Integrity
  • Dignity and Compassion
  • Humility and Gentleness
  • Truth and Justice
  • Forgiveness and Mercy
  • Purity and Holiness
  • Tolerance and Peace
  • Service and Sacrifice

It is clear that as a Christian country Gospel values underpin the values of the British Society in which we live:

  • Democracy
  • The rule of law
  • Individual liberty
  • Mutual respect
  • Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Examples of the actions we take to promote British values include:

Democracy

Having an elected School Council

Highlighting the importance of democratic ideas in history lessons

Ensuring all pupils are listened to by adults

Visiting the Civic Hall in Leeds

Taking part in the South Democracy day each year

Taking part in Student Voice

The Rule of Law

Creating “class rules”

Having a clear behaviour policy that is explained to all

Highlighting the rules of the Church and God in the RE curriculum, for example the 10 commandments and the Precepts of the Church

Through RE and history teaching about the development of the Rule of Law in English law, a legal system inspired by Christian values and a major influence across the world

Individual Liberty

Encourage students to be independent in their learning

Provide children with opportunities for reflection as they take responsibility for discerning their vocation

Mutual Respect

Having a Mission Statement that is inclusive

Constantly promoting respect for others as good manners

Reinforcing the value of everyone’s opinion in class discussions

Having an effective anti-bullying policy

Emphasising in RE and PSHE lessons that every person is unique and created in the image of God

Having active links with other schools

Supporting charitable works

Tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs

RE lessons provide pupils with a deep understanding of their own faith as well as awareness of the faith and tradition of other religious communities as a basis for understanding and respecting them

Using the witness of Jesus as an example of tolerance in stories such as the Good Samaritan and the Women at the well.

Our governing Body

Chair of Governors: Robert Freeman

Vice Chair: Clare Laycock

Foundation Governors: Fr. M. Hughes, Mr Robert Freeman, Mr Keith Selley, Mrs Caroline Lavelle, Mr Gareth Coleman, Mr Kevin Beattie

Staff Governor: Mrs Rachel Sheldon=-Price

Local Authority Governor: Clare Laycock

Parent Governors: Mr Dimitrios Georgalis & Ms Natalie Ibbetson

Associate members:Ms Helen. MacPherson, Mrs Seanna Sweeney

Contacting the Governing Body:

All correspondence to the Governing Body should be addressed to:-

Chair of Governors,  St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Royds Lane, Rothwell, LS26 0BJ

Please find below details of Rothwell St Mary’s Governing Body which includes names, terms of office and responsibilities.

Declaration:

Declaration of governors 2024 2025

Declaration of governors 2023 2024

Our Associate members are detailed in the attachment above.

Effectiveness of the Governing Body

Below is a link to the report from the Chair of Governors on the effectiveness of each committee over the academic year

Governor Effectiveness Report.

Attendance Record of Governors:

Governor roles and committees with meeting dates

School Financial Information:

Governors confirm that no employee earns more than £100K.

Here is a link to School Financial Benchmarking service to review how our school performs financially against other schools: https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/School?urn=108018