Our Governors
Meet the governors
JOHN STOREY - Chair of Governors, Appointing Body: Diocese of Shrewsbury
I have been a foundation governor at St Mary’s for over twenty years and Vice Chair since November 2016. I retired two years ago after some forty years working in and managing a textile manufacturing company. My connection with St Mary’s school and parish began in the 1980’s and my children and grandchildren attended the school since then until the present day.
Committees: Finance and Personnel Committee, COVID-19 Committee
Term of Office: From September 2016 To August 2024
Register of Interests: None
Relationship to governors or members of Staff: My daughter is a teacher at St Mary’s
VALERIE CLARE - Vice-Chair of Governors, Appointing Body: Diocese of Shrewsbury
Foundation Governor at St Mary’s Catholic School since 2022. I am a practising Catholic, and a parishioner of St Mary’s. My two grown-up children attended All Saints Catholic College. I am a retired Director of Midwifery and work part-time on a consultancy basis for the NHS. I look forward to supporting the school to achieve its goal of fulfilling the potential of every child.
Committees: Premises, Safeguarding, Health and Safety Committee and Catholic Ethos, Curriculum and Standards Committee
Term of Office: August 2022 To August 2026
Register of Interests: None
Relationship to governors or members of Staff: None
LESLEY BIDDISCOMBE - Foundation Governor, Appointing Body: Diocese of Shrewsbury
I have been a Foundation Governor at St. Mary’s since December 2020 and I’m enjoying learning about this important role and how I can support the school and its community. My daughter attends a local Catholic High School, and I am a parishioner at St. Mary’s Church. I have worked in Human Resources for the whole of my career and I’m currently a People Partner, working for a well known engineering company. Outside of work I like to spend as much time as I can with my family and friends so am looking forward to when we can all be together again.
Committees: Finance & Personnel Committee, COVID-19 Committee
Term of Office: From December 2020 To August 2024
Register of Interests: None
Relationship to governors or members of Staff: None
SAM FOSTER - Foundation Governor, Appointing Body: Diocese of Shrewsbury
I am a practising catholic and the school and Parish have played a significant part of my life, for many years, as both my daughters and I all attended the school. I have been a Foundation Governor at St Mary’s since 2016; it was a privilege to be asked by Father Oliver to become one again, after my term of office finished as a Parent Governor when my youngest daughter left at the end of Year 6. Currently I am a Teaching Assistant at a local junior school and I have a lot of experience, knowledge and understanding of how school works. I am an active member of my local gym and support and take part in any charity events that they may hold.
Committees: Catholic Ethos, Curriculum and Standards Committee, COVID-19 Committee
Term of Office: From February 2017 To August 2024
Register of Interests: None
Relationship to governors or members of Staff: None
JAN ROBINSON - Foundation Governor, Appointing Body: Diocese of Shrewsbury
I joined St. Mary’s in 2003 and have had several different roles since then. I am currently Early Years/KS1 Lead and SENDCo. I have been a staff governor since 2018. I attend full governing body meetings and sit on the Catholic Ethos, Performance and Standards Committee.
Committees: Catholic Ethos, Curriculum and Standards Committee, COVID-19 Committee
Term of Office: March 2018 To March 2026
Register of Interests: None
Relationship to governors or members of Staff: None
REBECCA SEDDON - Foundation Governor, Appointing Body: Diocese of Shrewsbury
I am a Foundation Governor at St. Mary's and have been since 2020. Professionally, I am a secondary school teacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator in a Manchester school. Ensuring children receive a high-quality education, so that they can grow up to be the best possible version of themselves, is my passion, and to me, this drive to provide the best for our children, is what encapsulates our Catholic faith as a whole. I attended St Mary's as a child myself and am proud to now be associated with the school again, as a member of the Governing Body.
Committees: Premises, Safeguarding, Health and Safety Committee
Term of Office: November 2020 To August 2024
Register of Interests: None
Relationship to governors or members of Staff: None
Suzanne Meadowcroft - Local Authority Governor, Appointing Body: Local Authority
I am a Local Authority Governor at St. Mary’s and have been since November 2021. This is the second time I have been a governor at St. Mary’s, having been a Parent Governor until 2016 when my youngest child finished at the school. I am a teacher and Head of Year at All Saints Catholic College and have lived in the area all my life. I am proud to be on the Board of Governors again, as I am passionate about children having access to the best possible education and nurturing environment to ensure they can achieve and aspire to be the best they can be.
Committees: Premises, Safeguarding, Health and Safety Committee
Term of Office: November 2021 To November 2025
Register of Interests: None
Relationship to governors or members of Staff: None
Phil Young - Parent Governor, Appointing Body: Elected by Parents of St. Mary's Catholic Primary School
I have a child who is pupil at the school and all being well my other child will be attending when he is school age. This gives me a greater chance to understand what the school is about and how I could assist the school. I have been in the police for 14 years and have a very good understanding around safeguarding as this is the main focus when dealing with the most vulnerable people in our communities especially children.
Committees: Safeguarding, Health and Safety Committee,
Term of Office: July 2023 - July 2027
Register of Interests: None
Relationship to governors or members of Staff: None
Gareth McDonough - Parent Governor, Appointing Body: Elected by Parents of St. Mary's Catholic Primary School
Currently work at Stryker Medical as a product specialist, training and supporting surgeons and theatre staff in orthopaedic surgeries.
Worked within a pupil referral unit for 2 years providing alternative curriculum.
Over 20 years’ experience in further education as a lecturer within Sport and Public Services and as a curriculum manager across a wide curriculum. Head of faculty for Sport, Public Services and Health and Social Care.
Military background
Grown up within the parish of St Marys and attended St Marys Primary as a youngster.
Committees: Finance and Personnel
Term of Office: July 2023 - July 2027
Register of Interests: None
Relationship to governors or members of Staff: None
Lisa Williams - Foundation, Appointing Body: Diocese of Shrewsbury
I have lived in Dukinfield for most of my life and been a part of St Mary’s Parish community. I attended St Mary’s Primary School from 1976 – 1983, before moving on to All Saints Catholic College. After leaving school, I trained to become an accountant and worked in the aircraft industry for a number of years, before retraining in 2004. After qualifying with a BA Hons in Primary Education with Mathematics specialism in 2008, I became a primary school teacher, teaching mainly in years 5 and 6 at Gorse Hall Primary School in Stalybridge. I am currently Assistant Headteacher at St Stephen’s RC Primary School in Droylsden, where I am KS2 Lead, Senior Mental Health Lead and responsible for Assessment. I have a passion for history, art and cricket, which I like to indulge in my spare time. I was extremely honoured to be asked to become a Foundation Governor at St Mary’s and am looking forward to being a part of the school community once more.
Committees: Catholic Ethos, Performance and Standards Committee, Finance and Personnel Committee
Term of Office: July 2023 - July 2027
Register of Interests: None
Relationship to governors or members of Staff: None
