Governors
Governance at Our School
The schools of St. Margaret Mary and St. Cuthbert's joined together under one Federation in September 2016, forming the St. Ninian Catholic Federation. Since that time, both St. Margaret Mary and St. Cuthbert's have joined the Mater Christi Multi-Academy Trust, however they still operate with one, single governing body.
Governing Body Structure
Our governing body has a total of 12 members, with seven places reserved as foundation governors and 5 for non-foundation governors. As two schools, St. Margaret Mary and St. Cuthbert's, are both served by a single governing body, we therefore have two places for parent governors and two places for staff governors. We also have associate governors who do not have voting rights but who may also help us from time to time with specialist advice and support, for example health and safety. All Foundation Governors are appointed by the Bishop.
Our governing body meets half-termly and provides important oversight and strategic leadership of our school. The clerk to the governors attends all governing body meetings and makes sure that minutes, records, reports and papers of the Governing Body are properly recorded and maintained.
Our current members are:
Name | Role |
Mr James Davis | Chair |
TBC | Vice-Chair |
Mrs Carolyn Aitken | Foundation Governor |
Mr Jim Rocks | Foundation Governor |
Miss Emily Lowrey | Foundation Governor |
Mr Declan McArdle | Foundation Governor |
Father Oliver Siandele | Foundation Governor |
Mrs Alicja Pietrzyk-Langowska | Parent Governor |
Mrs Karen Armstrong | Foundation Governor |
Miss Claire Lamont | Staff Governor |
Mr Luke Denny | Headteacher |
Mrs Sarah Connolly | Clerk |
Mrs Katarzyna Pyszora | Staff Governor St Cuthberts |
To contact our Chair of Governors please email j.hadley@stninian.cumbria.sch.uk
Committees and Responsibilities
Admissions Committee
Mr James Davis
Mrs Katarzyna Pyszora
Finance Committee
Mr James Davis
Miss Claire Lamont
Finance and Staffing Committee
Mrs Carolyn Aitken
Mr James Davis
Safeguarding | Mr Declan McArdle |
SEND | Mrs Carolyn Aitken |
Health and Safety | Mrs Katarzyna Pyszora |
Behaviour and Attitudes | Mrs Katarzyna Pyszora Mr James Davis |
Leadership and Management | Mr James Davis Mrs Carolyn Aitken |
Quality of Education | Mrs Karen Armstrong Miss Emma Lowrey Mr Jim Rocks |
Personal Development | Mr James Davis Mrs Alicja Pietrzyk-Langowska |
Catholic Life and Ethos | Mrs Alicja Pietrzyk-Langowska Father Oliver Siandele |
Terms of Office
Name | Roles | Term Started | Terms Ends |
Mrs James Davis | Chair | 01/09/2021 | 01/09/2025 |
Mrs Carolyn Aitken | Foundation Governor | 01/09/2021 | 01/09/2025 |
Mr Jim Rocks | Foundation Governor | 01/10/2022 | 01/10/2026 |
Miss Emma Lowrey | Foundation Governor | 01/10/2023 | 01/10/2028 |
Mr Declan McArdle | Foundation Governor | 01/10/2023 | 01/10/2028 |
Father Oliver Siandele | Foundation Governor | 01/10/2023 | 01/10/2028 |
Mrs Alicja Pietrzyk-Langowska | Parent Governor | ||
Mrs Karen Armstrong | Foundation Governor | 01/10/2022 | 01/10/2026 |
Miss Claire Lamont | Staff Governor | 20/01/2021 | 19/01/2025 |
Miss Kazia Pyszora | Staff Governor | ||
Mr Luke Denny | Headteacher |
Become a Governor
Our schools have vacancies for Foundation Governors to support us in our Mission.
We have attached below the Diocesan 'Called to Serve' guidance below for those wishing to find out more about how they can support our schools as Foundation Governors.
Governors perform a vital role in our school and are highly valued by the school, the parish and the Diocese. They provide strategic support and oversight, as well as maintaining and developing the Catholic character and ethos of our schools.
If you feel you could support our schools as a governor, please contact the Diocese of Lancaster on 01524 841190 who will be able to talk you through the application process.
If you would like an informal chat with the Headteacher to discuss the prospect of becoming a governor, as well as an overview of the training and support that will be given, please contact the school on 01228 401800.