Local Governing Body

The Catholic Academies in the Romero Catholic Academy Trust are under the Romero Trust of the Diocese of Salford.  They are founded by and are part of the Catholic Church and seek at all times to be a witness to Jesus Christ.

As the Local Governing Body of a Catholic school within the Romero Trust, the overarching responsibility lies in ensuring that the school is conducted in accordance with its Catholic character at all times, and this overriding duty permeates the work of the Local Governing Body.

The Local Governing Body of a Catholic school within the Romero Trust should ensure that the curriculum of the school is taught in the light of the Gospel values and actively promotes the spiritual and moral development of the pupils.

Foundation Governors have a special responsibility for the religious education curriculum and have a duty to ensure that it is taught in accordance with the Curriculum Directory and the Bishop's policy.

The three core functions of the Local Governing Body are:

1. Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction in line with the Romero Trust Vision and Values;
2. Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the School and its pupils, and for the internal organisation, management and control of the School, including performance management of staff; and
3. In line with the Romero Trust Scheme of Delegation, the overseeing of the financial performance of the School and making sure its money is well spent.

Membership

The Local Governing Board shall consist of eight members of which there shall be

• One staff
• Two elected parents
• Five Foundation (including the Headteacher)

The term of office of local governors is four years.

Being a school governor is a challenging but hugely rewarding role. It gives the chance to make a real difference to young people, give something back to the local community and use and develop your skills in a board-level environment. Schools need governing boards that have a balance and diversity of knowledge, skills and experience to enable it to be effective. Ofsted (the national inspection body for schools) has repeatedly noted that the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership.

Our governors commit between 8 – 10 hours per month, although it can vary depending on the needs of the school at any given time. This includes attending meetings, background reading, school visits and recruitment of staff. As well as full governing body meetings, here at St Mary Magdalene’s we have various committees and other governor specialist roles like Safeguarding and Link.

Every year we invite parents to come along and to meet with the governors, all of whom are more than happy to answer any questions you have about their role or more generally about the school.

Chair Of Governors:  Mrs J Philp

Vice Chair:  Mrs R Thompson (RE Link Governor)

Mrs Kerr:  Safeguarding

Father Joesph Ojelabi

Mrs Peano:  Staff Governor 

Mrs Loughran:  Headteacher

Name	Appointed by	From	To	Business or Pecuniary Interests
Bridget Loughran	Appointed by Foundation/Trust (Headteacher)	01.05.2022		None
VACANCY	Appointed by Foundation/Trust
VACANCY	Appointed by Foundation/Trust
Rachel Thompson	Appointed by Foundation/Trust	22.11.2022	21.11.2026
Fr Joseph Ojelabi	Appointed by Foundation Trust	01.05.2024	30.04.2028
Emma Peano	Elected by School Staff	01.09.2024
Janine Philp (Chair)	Elected by Parents	01.05.2022	30.06.2026	Child attends the school
Sarah Kerr	Elected by Parents	28.06.2022	27.06.2026	Child attends the school

Chair of Governors: Mrs Janine Philp (jphilp@st-marymagdalenesrc.lancs.sch.uk)

Trust Governance Lead: Mrs Lauren Lang (lauren.lang@romerocat.com)

Governors Attendance at Meetings 2024/25

St Mary Magdalene's Roman Catholic Primary School, Burnley	Percentage of Meetings Attended	Local Governing Body Meetings
Name		25.09.2024	27.11.2024	29.01.2025	24.03.2025	02.07.2025
Bridget Loughran	100%	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended
Janine Philp	100%	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended
Rachel Thompson	100%	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended
Fr Joseph Ojelabi	80%	Apologies	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended
Emma Peano	100%	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended
Sarah Kerr	100%	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended	Attended