St Jude's School and Pre-School

Meet the Governors 

Who we are and what we do

Could you be a School Governor?

Foundation Governor

Appointed by the Bishop, Foundation Governors are baptised, committed Catholics who are responsible for preserving the religious character of the school in accordance with Church law.  The term of office is for a four year period.

If you would like to find out more about being a foundation governor get in touch with the school [01329-235131] or email admin@st-judes.info

Anyone who is interested in this role will meet the headteacher and chair of governors who will host a Q&A session at a mutually convenient time.

(There is currently one* vacancy for a Foundation Governor)

*as at September 2025

Parent Governor

The term of office for a parent governor is four years.  When there is a vacancy, the Governing Body ask for applications from parents of children who attend the school.  If there are several applications for a vacancy then an election is held.  Parents who are interested in becoming a parent governor  can speak to the current governor who will host a Q&A session with the headteacher.

(There are currently no vacancies for Parent Governors)

Local Authority Governor

The term of office for a local authority governor is four years.  When there is a vacancy, the Governing Body ask the local authority to come up with a list of people who have expressed an interest in working as a governor in a local school.  The candidates are invited to  meet the head teacher and the chair of governors who will host a Q&A session at a mutually convenient time.  The LA governor is appointed by the Local Council.

(There are currently no vacancies for a local authority Governor)

 

St Jude’s Governing Body consists of twelve governors, appointed for a four year period, as follows:

  • seven foundation governors (Foundation Governors form the majority on the Governing Body)  (appointed by the Bishop of Portsmouth)
  • two parent governors (elected by parents)
  • head teacher (appointed)
  • one staff governor (elected by staff),
  • one Local Authority governor (appointed by Hampshire County Council).

Once appointed, all governors are considered equal, with the exception of the Chair of Governors who retains executive responsibilities.  It is the governing body’s responsibility to ensure that it has sufficient governors to undertake its duties effectively and to maintain the quorum at 50% or above (with foundation governors in the majority) for a full governing body meeting.  All groups and sections of the community will be encouraged to participate in the life of the school by volunteering to become governors.

Foundation Governors - are appointed by the Bishop of Portsmouth, and have a duty to:

  • preserve the religious character of the school
  • sustain and develop the school as a Catholic educating community in accordance with Canon (Church) law and the teaching of the Catholic Church
  • give clear witness, as individuals, and as a team, to the Gospel message and to the Church’s teaching

Foundation Governors also have a specific mandate from the Bishop:

  • that the religious education curriculum is in accordance with his Diocesan policy, based on the Bishops’ Conference Curriculum Directory
  • to represent him on the Governing Body with particular reference to the admission of pupils, employment of all staff and the religious and secular education curriculum, and convey this to the other Governors
  • to consider not only the interests of the school where they are a Foundation Governor, along with its pupils, staff and parents, but to have regard for the interests of other Catholic schools in the vicinity and of Catholic education throughout the Diocese
  • to have regard to the needs of the Catholic community as a whole.

Associate Members 

The Governing Body will consider the appointment of associate members to fill specific skill or capacity shortfalls, and where there are either no vacancies or potential volunteers do not wish to commit to becoming a governor.  Any Associate Member appointed to the St Jude’s Governing Body will be appointed for a period of one year and may be reappointed at the end of their term of office.  There are currently no Associate Members at the St Jude’s

Committees 

Each Governor is a member of the Full Governing Body (FGB). 

Committees are set up to address staff pay, dismissal and appeal, pupil discipline and admissions.  Membership of these committees is decided on a balance of personal preference, previous experience and skills. 

The governing body will review its overall committee structure and membership on a regular basis (at least every other year) to ensure its continuing effectiveness.

 Membership of St Jude's Governing Body 2025/2026

Foundation Governors  (appointed by the Diocese) :

Andrew Jordan - Chair  21/11/2023 - 21/11/2027                                                             Finance

Mary Stribling - Vice Chair  03/10/2023 - 02/10/2027                                             safeguarding

Lizzie Barnsley Parsons 22/06/2025 - 21/06/2029                                                       SEND

Michael Acheson 12/11/2024 - 11/11/2028 

Gino Mathew 18/03/2025 - 17/03/2029

Cn John Cooke (duration of appointment)                                Catholic Life and Collective Worship

Sarah Wall (head Teacher) (duration of appointment

Vacant

Parent Governors (appointed by the FGB) :

Helena Rosiecka  21/03/2023 - 20/03/2027 -                                                     Attendance

Charlotte Shembry-Major 15/07/2025 - 14/07/2029

Local Authority Governor (appointed by HCC) :

David Greenaway 10/07/2022 - 09/07/2026 -                                            Health & Safety

Staff Governor (appointed by the FGB) :

Debbie McKnight 21/11/2023 - 20/11/2027

 

 Business interest of Governors 2025-2026

 

Name Business Interest Date of Entry/Cessation