Governors
Do you want to become a School Committee Member or a Foundation Committee Member?
We are currently looking for School Committee Members and a Foundation Committee Members to join our existing members to support the school. If you are interested in this role please see the two documents below. Further information can be obtained from either contact KCSP directly (as per the document) or the School Office.
KCSP
Kent Catholic Schools' Partnership is a charitable trust and a company limited by guarantee. The Trust was established in August 2012 by the Archbishop of Southwark.
The Trust Board of Directors ('Trustees') are responsible for overseeing the management and administration of the Trust and they fulfil this role by delegating functions to committees.
The Trust understands the importance of the role of governance committees and the Trust has set out guidance and support in its Governance Handbook and Scheme of Delegation.
The Governance Committee is a ‘critical friend’ of the school. It provides Strategic Leadership in school improvement. It does this by being appropriately involved in the school improvement cycle as follows:
- Developing and sharing the values and vision
- Setting out the aims and objectives of the school
- Setting out the policies and procedures by which the aims and objectives will be achieved
- Establishing the criteria by which the aims and achievements will be seen to be achieved
- Taking the views of stakeholders into account
- Evaluating evidence on how well the school is doing
- Finding out how well the school is doing in comparison with similar schools
- Agreeing targets for improvement
- Planning to achieve improvement
- Ensuring that deployment of staffing and resources match the school’s priorities.
Key Issues
The governance committee will consider and keep under review: the progress and attainment of all groups of pupils, evidence of narrowing gaps between under achieving groups and other pupils, improvements in the quality of teaching, the school’s improvement since the last inspection, and the school’s self-evaluation of how well it is doing currently. Governance committee members are not expected to be involved in the day to day running of the school.
Who can be a governance committee member?
- Almost everyone over 18 can become a member. Governance committee members are volunteers from all walks of life – everyone has experience and skills to offer
- An effective governance committee has people from different backgrounds and with a mix of skills. No formal qualifications are needed to be a member
- Governance committee members are not education experts – they are there to offer a fresh perspective
What makes a good governance committee member?
- The ability to work in a team
- An interest in education and a commitment to the school
- Patience, energy and enthusiasm
- A willingness to listen, learn and to spend time in school
- A willingness to undertake training
As Stella Maris is a member of the Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership, a Multi-Academy Trust, its governance arrangements are regulated by the KCSP Governance Handbook (which includes the Scheme of Delegation and Terms of Reference). Click the links below to read a copy of these documents:
Governance handbook - Governance Handbook 23/24
Scheme of delegation - Scheme of Delegation 23/24
Our Chair of Governors, Susan Foster, can be contacted by email:
Susan.Foster@stella-maris-folkestone.kcsp.org.uk
The Clerk to the committee Samantha Paterson, can be contacted by email:
Copies of Governing Body minutes are available from the School Office.
Stella Maris Local Governance Committee MembersMeet the Governors … |
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Susan Foster Co-Opted Committee Member Chair of the Local Governance Committee | I work as Clerk to Governors in three local schools and my previous professional experience has been based in education, in both teaching (Modern Foreign Languages) and Sixth Form pastoral support roles, also in Admin. I am also currently employed with a charity which offers creative opportunities for those living with dementia. I am Chair of the Stella Maris Local Governance Committee. I bring administrative and organisational skills to the Governing Body, together with a passion for the Academy to excel in everything it does.
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Nicola Fletcher
| I am a Parent Committee Member on the Local Governance Committee living in the local area with two children at the School. My areas of particular interest are Religious Education and Key Stage 1 Phonics. I wanted to get involved as I really appreciate the wonderful education and school life my boys have at Stella Maris. Outside of school, I am an Electoral Services Manager at a Local Authority and a marathon runner |
Margaret Irving Vice Chair Foundation Committee Member | I retired from the Civil Service eleven years ago. I have three children and six grandchildren. Since retirement I have been the Treasurer of the St Joseph's Social Club, helping with events and ensuring that maintenance of the hall is up to date. I am also the Secretary of the local Day of Prayer Committee and Secretary to the Finance Council of Our Lady's and St Joseph's Church. I am a Foundation Governor on the Local Governance Committee. |
Matthew Potts
| I graduated from Canterbury Christchurch University in 2012 with a degree in Primary Education. I have worked in a range of different schools settings in this time and have been a member of the Stella Maris team since 2019. I am the leader of learning for science and computing in school as well as teaching year 4. |
Anna Richardson Parent Committee Member | I am a parent member of the Local Governance Committee with a daughter in Year 4 and a son in Reception. I joined the committee because I want to support Stella Maris in being the best school it can be and helping every pupil achieve their potential. It is a joy to be part of such a caring and inclusive community and I hope to make a positive contribution to the success of the school.
In my professional life, I am a writer of educational books and materials. I have also taught in colleges and universities both in the UK and abroad and worked as an examiner for the British Council. |
Theepan Selvaratnam Co-Opt Committee Member | I am a co-opted member of the Local Governance Committee for Stella Maris, with two children attending the school [wef Sept]. I am passionate about the values and ethos of the school and the success and rounded growth of all of its pupils. By day I am a civil servant at the Foreign Office and bring strategy development and implementation experience to my governor role.
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George Pound Foundation Governor | I am delighted to be a Foundation Governor at Stella Maris Catholic Primary School. I have been a volunteer here since I retired in 2003 and I feel that I am part of the school. The staff and children follow the school values of Care, Share, Love, Trust and Respect. The greatest of these being Love and that is what drives the school forward to being one of the best in the area. I feel it is a great honour and privilege to be accepted as a part of such a wonderful establishment and I hope that my organisational skills and sense of fun will assist the children as they start their journey on the road to discovery. |
Neil Jones Co-Opted Committee Member |
I am grateful for the opportunity to be a co-opted member of the Local Governance Committee. I have previously been involved in projects at local schools as a Folkestone Town Councillor and hope to be able to contribute to the well-being of Stella Maris. I consider Stella Maris to be a great example of how young people can be encouraged to develop values and beliefs in a supportive, caring environment. Giving these children the best possible start is a great achievement and hopefully will be the basis for many of them to fulfil their roles in life. It is exciting to be part of such an organisation and it shares values with my involvement in other activities such as the gardens at Our Lady of Good Council Roman Catholic Church in Hythe. My background in the board level management of information technology companies brings skills such as financial and strategic planning which hopefully are of use to the Committee and school |
Andrew Langley Headteacher |
Lead Roles and Link Members:
Role | Lead member |
Catholic Character & Ethos | Susan Foster and George Pound |
Curriculum | Anna Richardson/Margaret Irving |
Finance | Neil Jones |
Health & Safety | Nicola Fletcher |
PP & SEND | Theepan Selvaratnam |
Safeguarding | Susan Foster |
CPD | Matthew Potts |
Link members are:
Role | Link member |
YrR | George Pound |
Yr1 | Susan Foster |
Yr2 | Theepan Selvaratnam |
Yr3 | Anna Richardson |
Yr 4 | Margaret Irving |
Yr 5 | Nicola Fletcher |
Yr6 | Neil Jones |
Local Governance Committee information:
Governor Name | Category | Date of Appointment | Appointing Body and Term of Office | Details of Responsibility | Register of Business Interests |
Nicola Fletcher | Foundation Member | 08 Oct 2019 | Archdiocese of Southwark 01 Nov 2023 - 31 Oct 2027 | Health and Safety Lead | Two children in the school |
Susan Foster | Co-opted Member | 06 Oct 2020 | KCSP 06 Oct 2020 - 5 Oct 2024 | Chair Safeguarding Lead Catholic Character and Ethos Lead | Clerk to Governors at two other primary schools |
Margaret Irving | Foundation Member | 22 Mar 2019 | Archdiocese of Southwark 01 Jul 2023 - 30 Jun 2027 | Vice Chair Curriculum Lead | Nothing to declare |
Andrew Langley | Headteacher |
|
| Child is a pupil in Year 6 Sept 2023 Niece in Year 1 Sept 2023 Wife part time teacher in Year 5
| |
Matthew Potts | Staff Member | 14 Oct 2021 | Elected by staff 14 Oct 2021 - 13 Oct 2025 | CPD Lead | Nothing to declare |
Anna Richardson
| Parent Member
| 31 Jan 2022 | Elected by parents 31 Jan 2022 -30 Jan 2026 | Curriculum Lead | Two children in the school.
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Theepan Selvaratnam | Co-opted Member
| 18 May 2021 | KCSP 18 May 2021 -17 May 2025 | PP & SEND Lead | Two children in the school. Wife and mother of the two children is an active member of the Stella Maris PTFA and I provide practical support at events. |
| Neil Jones | Co-Opted Member
| 07 Sep 2023 | KCSP 07 Sep 2023 - 06 Sep 2027 | Finance Lead | Nothing to declare |
| George Pound | Foundation Member | 02 Oct 2023 | Archdiocese of Southwark 02 Oct 2023 - 01 Oct 2027 | Catholic Character and Ethos Lead | Nothing to declare |
Meeting attendance list for last academic year
Y = Attended, N = Apologies Accepted, NA = Apologies not Accepted, NS = No Apologies sent, ? = Attendance Not Marked, Blank = Not Required,
CA = Consent for absence, - = Not applicable
Executive Governance Committee Meetings:
Governor | Governor Type | 13 Oct 2022 | 23 Nov 2022 | 29 Mar 2023 | 03 May 2023 | 12 Jul 2023 |
Deacon Barry Barton | Foundation Governor | Y | Y | N | Y | N |
Mandy Boxall | Clerk | Y | Y | Y | Y |
|
Mr Thomas Connolly | Foundation Governor | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Mrs Susan Foster | Co-Opted Governor | Y | Y | N | N | Y |
Mrs Lisa Huotari | Executive Principal | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Mr Jason O'Callaghan | Foundation Governor | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Mrs Sam Paterson | Clerk |
|
|
|
| Y |
Academy Committee Meetings:
Governor | Governor Type | 06 Oct 2022 | 17 Nov 2022 | 02 Feb 2023 | 27 Apr 2023 | 22 Jun 2023 |
Mandy Boxall | Clerk | Y | Y | Y | Y |
|
Mrs Nicola Fletcher | Parent governor | Y | Y | Y | N | Y |
Susan Foster | Co-opted governor |
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|
| Y | Y |
Mr Matthew Hahn |
| Y | N | N | Y | N |
Mrs Margaret Irving | Foundation governor | Y | N | N | Y | Y |
Andrew Langley | Headteacher | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Mrs Sam Paterson | Clerk |
|
|
| Y | Y |
Mr Matthew Potts | Staff governor | Y | N | N | N | N |
Mr Steve Press |
| N | Y | Y |
|
|
Anna Richardson | Parent governor | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Mr Theepan Selvaratnam | Co-opted governor | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |