BSM Governing Body Members

Bulwell St Mary’s Governing Body Members

As a church school we work closely with the Diocese of Southwell and the membership of our Governing Body clearly reflects this. To become a member of the Governing Body, each individual must meet certain criteria and each year we complete a range of compliance documentation, including declaring any interests we may have, any close relationships with others across the Trust, any other roles whereby there may be a direct or indirect connection, and any third party transactions.

All of which are declared on a register on interests which can be viewed in the document below:-

Membership of Governing Body ( as at September 2019)

Our Ofsted report in March 2019 stated;

Karen Slack - Chair of Governors, (please telephone Sheila Laithwaite, Clerk to Governors at Transform Trust on 0115 9825090).

I have been in the education sector for over 40 years and retired from my head teacher post at Rise Park Primary and Nursery School in August 2016. Since retiring I have been self -employed working part time as a school improvement adviser for Transform Trust. I am delighted to be the Chair of Governors here at Bulwell St Mary’s as I am passionate about children’s education and how we can all work together in the best interests of each and every child. I am often out and about in school looking at children’s books and I always attend parents evenings. I look forward to catching up with you.

Maureen Pates - Vice Chair of Governors - At present I am Vice-Chair of the Governors and have been a Governor at St.Marys School for 14 years. I am the Governor responsible for pupils with special education needs and disabilities and often come into school to meet with the SENDCo.  I live in Bulwell and am a regular member of the congregation of St.Marys church. I enjoy coming into school to see the wonderful things the children and staff are achieving. I also come in to hear children read once a week. 

Emma Bell - Staff Governor - I have worked at St Mary’s since 2000.  I am passionate about the education the children that attend this school receive.  I believe that each child deserves access to opportunities and experiences that will allow them to reach their full potential.

Reverend Bob Stephens - Diocese Governor - I am Revd. Bob Stephens, I am a Foundation Governor for Bulwell St Mary’s C of E Primary School and the Governor with responsibility for Attendance, Admissions, Finance. I work closely with Father Andrew Fisher. I have been a governor since 2016, and I come into school on a regular basis to listen to children reading and take assemblies.  

Trish Wilson - Transform Trust Governor - I am an associate with Transform Trust with a focus on support staff and the excellence that they bring to our schools. Prior to taking up this role full time in January 2019,  I worked at Rosslyn Park Primary school in Aspley for thirteen years, the last 4 of which also saw me supporting he school as a staff governor. Bulwell St Mary’s is a vibrant, happy school  - it is a pleasure and privilege to support the children, staff and local community through my role on the governing body, championing aspiration, enjoyment and high achievement for all.

Father Andrew Fisher - Diocese Governor - I am Fr Andrew Fisher, Vicar of St Mary the Virgin and All Souls, Church, Bulwell (‘The Church on the Hill’). I am a Foundation Governor for Bulwell St Mary’s CofE Primary School and the Governor with responsibility for Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare (including Christian Distinctiveness). I love coming to St Mary’s School and I love St Mary’s School coming to church!’

David Maddison - Diocesan Governor

Throughout my life I have maintained an involvement in and a commitment to Community, Education and Church.  I grew up in Bulwell, originally attending Springfield Nursery and Primary School and have always maintained my home and heart here. I have sustained a commitment to community, originally founding the Highbury Vale Community Association, now based on Brooklyn Road. I am also a leader within Bulwell United Reformed Church on Broomhill Road and am involved with Table Tennis England’s schools’ work on a national and local level.  Alongside this for 40 years I was a teacher in both City and County and a Church School Headteacher for 23 years.  I also led schools out of times of difficulty and helped create  the ASPIRE Primary Multi-Academy Trust. My continuing commitment to helping schools, pupils and staff become the best they can be is underlined by the fact I am now an Educational Consultant providing this level of leadership support and in-service training for free.      

Natalia Thomas - Parent Governor

I am a parent Governor.  I currently have 2 children who attend St Mary’s and love that it is a school with staff that genuinely care and are passionate about the well-being and achievement of all the children.  I have worked in education supporting children with school attendance for 19 years and currently work supporting vulnerable students, parents and carers in a primary school.  I am really looking forward to being more involved as a parent Governor. 

Clerk to the Governing Body

Ruth Palmer ( ruth.palmer@transformtrust.co.uk )

Our term of office is for 3 years and this starts from the date of appointment. Our agendas follow the format of:

• Full Governing Body meetings

In all of the above meetings we consider the following:

• Strategic Governance

• Financial Governance

• Stakeholders to include staff, parents/carers and the community and pupils.

• Statutory Duties