Governing Body
The Governors oversee and facilitate the strategic leadership of the school. The Governing Body is drawn from the wider community of the school including parents, staff, and the local churches, with members also elected by the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education and the Local Authority.
Details of our Governing Body 2022/23, their Pecuniary Interests , the Committees they serve on and their attendance at committee meetings.
Full Governing Body meetings at St Mary’s are open to observers, in particular staff, parents, carers and pupils or our school. If you would be interested in attending please let our Clerk have your contact details a week before the meeting so that we can provide you with relevant papers. It should be noted that although you are welcome to attend this is purely as an observer and unless agreed beforehand there will be no opportunities for comments or questions at the meeting. If you do have an issue you would like to raise about the school and its governance, we are happy to hear from you at any other time. The best way is to bring it to the attention of either the Headteacher or the Chair of Governors. Both of these individuals can be contacted via our Clerk.
Governors’ Fund
The Governors Fund has paid contributions that ensured we have been able to continue with a programme of improvement and renovation works. Summer 2021 was another busy year when we completely revamped our office and medical room, invested in LED lighting throughout the entire site, and had an air source heat pump installed. These improvements will not only help us to be more energy efficient, but also synchronise and build upon our longer-term goals of being as sustainable as possible. In previous years, the Governors Fund has also made significant contributions towards the MUGA, play equipment, ICT infrastructure renewals, roof renewals, and pond refurbishment including a new liner and decking.
As we move forward, the Governors will commit funds towards the final roof renewals – this time on the Infants building, and the renewal and upgrade of our swimming pool!
What difference does the Governors’ Fund Make?
The Governors’ Fund has paid contributions that ensured that the three year programme to renew all flat roof areas in the main school building that were approaching the end of their life had gone ahead. Summer 2016 was another busy year when we saw the third and final phase of these works completed AND a new hall floor laid. In addition to this essential work, the Governors’ Fund has made significant contributions in 2016 towards the pond refurbishment including a new pond liner and decking and towards wonderful new play equipment. 2017 saw the Governors commit funds towards the new MUGA built in the Autumn.
In 2018, as we move towards the amalgamation with the Infant School, the Governors will commit funds towards major ICT Infrastructure renewals to help us to function as one, well equipped, school. After that we will again need to focus on a new programme of flat roof renewals – this time on the Infants’ building!
How does the Governors Fund help us secure Funding Grants for Building Projects?
St Mary’s is a voluntary aided school which means first and foremost that your children benefit from an education with a Christian ethos. It means that we have more independence to make decisions which we think will benefit our children and that we can apply for additional funding from the Diocese. The Diocese fund major projects in partnership with schools where the school pays 10% of the cost, and this 10% primarily comes from the Governors’ Fund.
Your donations make all the difference
We are so very grateful to those parents who have already supported us, and in particular we would like to take this opportunity to thank those who give generously above the level suggested (you know who you are!) Without your support we would not be able to maintain and develop the school to the high level we currently enjoy.
All donations to the fund are on a voluntary basis, and any donation will be greatly appreciated. Please see details on the Governors Fund Letter attached above about the many flexible ways in which you can make a contribution which will make a real difference for our children.
Governors’ Business Interests
It is important that Governors are transparent in ensuring that action they take for the good of the school does not conflict with their own interests and commitments outside of the school. We are required to maintain a register of their interests and publish information about this on our website.
Please click here to view their declared interests.
Become a Governor
We are always interested to hear from people who are interested in becoming Governors. For further information contact our clerk.
Vacancies are published on our Staff Vacancies.