Governance
- CAST Board of Directors and meeting attendance
- CAST Financial Information
- CAST Policies
- CAST Board Meeting Attendance
- CAST Scheme of Delegated Authority October 2021
We meet regularly and oversee the leadership and management of the school, providing expertise, critical friendship and a great deal of support to the school. Our chief concern is to ensure a high quality education for the pupils of St. Mary’s and that the school complies with initiatives and legislation such as safeguarding, health and safety, GDPR etc.
Our governors at St. Mary’s are extremely approachable and welcome opportunities to share information about their business and to discuss school matters. We hope in this coming year we can be more visible and meet with parents to discuss your ideas and any concerns.
Subject Lead Areas: Early Years Foundation Stage and English
Term of office: 12/10/2021 to 11/10/2025
Meeting attendance 2021/22: 100%
Business Interests: None
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: None
I am a lecturer within Southampton University’s Mechanical Engineering department. I teach engineers across all years and have wider higher education teaching experience having previously also taught undergraduate chemists and ocean scientists. I lead a small research group that develop water analysers, chemical reactors, and other sorts of fluid-based technology. I am also undergraduate Admissions Tutor for my department, dealing with a lot of excited prospective students as they decide where to go to university and what to study.
Away from work I am married to Sarah and we have two children who are both enjoying their education at St Mary’s. I am a reader at St Mary’s church and have previously served on the parish council. In my spare time I enjoy running, cycling, and music (guitar and records).
Responsibilities: RE and Catholic Life Governor
Subject Lead Areas: Science, RE
Appointed by: Diocese of Plymouth
Term of office: 22/03/2021 to 21/03/2025
Meeting Attendance 2021/22: 100%
Business Interests: None declared
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: None
I have been a solicitor for over 25 years; and running my own law firm since 2001. I am therefore responsible for the day to day and strategic management of a legal business as well as undertaking legal work for clients.
Responsibilities: School Health and Safety
Subject Lead Areas: Computing, Modern Foreign Languages
Term of office: 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2025
Meeting attendance 2021/22: 100%
Business Interests: Sole Director JBS Solicitors Limited
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: None
I was born in Poole and, apart from my time spent away at University, I have always lived here.
In my working role, I am a Commercial Property Solicitor and Partner in a local law firm. I qualified in 2004 after studying European Law at Warwick and Bordeaux Universities and then completed my training with a large commercial firm in Southampton. I have a lot of experience of dealing with all aspects of commercial property work and hope to be able to bring those skills in to good use in my new role as a parent governor.
I am a mum of 2 daughters. My eldest is in her final year at St Marys and my youngest will hopefully be starting in September. I have seen my eldest daughter grow in confidence and flourish during her 7 years at the school and I am very happy to also be bringing my experience as a parent to the local board of governors.
When I had more free time, I used to be a keen Ballroom & Latin American Dancer and one day I would like to take it up again. In the meantime, most of my free time is spent looking after my daughters and taking them to their various hobbies and activities. I also enjoy gardening, running and going for long family walks along the beach.
Responsibilities: Statutory Grants/Finance, Parents and the Community
Subject Lead Areas: Music and Arts, Sports and PE
Appointed by: Governing Body
Term of office: 30/09/2019 to 29/09/2023
Meeting Attendance 2021/22: 100%
Business Interests: Salaried Partner Coles Miller LLB
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: St Edwards RC / CE School
Mrs Clare Tickel - Foundation Governor (Executive Headteacher)
Mrs Tickel joined St Mary's in February 2022 as Executive Headteacher for both St Mary's and Christ the King Catholic Primary School. Mrs Tickel joined Christ the King in September 2011 following 10 years as Headteacher of a Dorset Church School. Mrs Tickel is passionate about ensuring the best possible outcomes for the children and believes that all children deserve to be loved and should be given the opportunity to flourish in a safe and nurturing environment.
Term of Office: Ex-Officio. Term commenced 28/02/2022
Meeting Attendance 2021/22: 100%
Appointed by: The Diocese of Plymouth
Business Interests: Employee of Plymouth CAST
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: Governor at Christ the King Catholic Primary School, Kinson
Business Interests: Employee Plymouth CAST
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: None
Mrs Mary Norrish - Foundation Governor
I have been a Governor at St. Mary’s since the autumn of 2013. The school is a very different and much more welcoming place since my 4 children attended between 1976 & 1991. The increased pupil numbers benefit from not only better buildings, but also diverse teaching methods, including the advantages brought by the digital internet world, delivered by St Mary’s dedicated and enthusiastic staff team. I really enjoy going into school to observe classes and see that the opportunities for learning are more interactive and the children certainly look to be enjoying the experience, despite the restrictions of National Curriculum and Ofsted requirements.
As a governor, I am also particularly interested in ensuring that staff and governors recognise their individual responsibility for safeguarding every child, and that children with additional educational needs are well supported to make the best use of their particular talents. Besides being a school governor, I am also a trustee of the charity Mosaic, supporting bereaved children across Dorset. I belong to the music group at 9:30 Mass, sing in two local choirs, ramble all over Dorset and the New Forest with St. Mary’s walkers every week, and help with my grandchildren too, so it’s quite an active retirement from children’s social work!
Responsibilities: Special Educational Needs, Inclusion and Equality, Safeguarding, Pupil Premium Grants
Subject Lead Areas: Pupil Premuim, SENCo
Committees: Admissions
Appointed by: Diocese of Plymouth
Term of office: 14/06/2013 to 13/06/2025
Meeting Attendance 2021/22: 100%
Business Interests: Trustee Mosaic
Third Party Related Transactions: None
Other Governorships: None
Clerk to Governors - Mrs Patricia Rushton