Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School is an Academy and founder member of the Diocese of Westminster Multi Academy Trust (DoWAT), a private company limited by guarantee: registered number 7944160.

The Trust provides a framework through which Catholic schools in the Diocese can work together in the interests of giving children the chance to aim high and achieve their potential in life, within a safe and inspirational environment. We continue to work in partnership with schools in Hertfordshire with whom we have excellent links.

Information about DoWAT can be found by clicking here.

 

The Purpose Of The Governing Body

The Governing Body is the non-executive body of the school responsible for the conduct of the school, driving high standards and for delivering continuous improvement in all aspects of the school’s performance. Our aim is to ensure that students are attending a successful school which provides them with an excellent education and supports their wellbeing.

Governors fulfil their responsibilities by focusing on three core strategic functions:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its students and the performance management of staff.
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

Chair: Mrs Mary Crummey

Co Vice-Chair: Mrs Jane Goring & Yvonne Hawkes

Responsible Officer: Mrs Emma Gritton (Chief Financial Officer)

 

Constitution

There are 14 positions on the Governing Body. 

Foundation Governors – 8 posts, 4-year term – 2 vacancies

Foundation Governors are appointed in the name of the Archbishop and form the majority of the governing body. They have a legal duty to preserve and develop the Catholic character of the school and to ensure that the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed.

This includes:

• being familiar with, and supportive of, the policies and procedures of the diocese;
• representing those policies to the governing body;
• considering not only the in interests of the individual school or college, but the interests of other schools and colleges and of Catholic education throughout the diocese;
• responding to the needs of the Catholic community as a whole as represented by the Archbishop.

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Chair of Governors

Mary Crummey 

Foundation Governor

Term of Office 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2027

I was originally appointed as a Parent Governor in April 2017 and since my children left the school, I have been appointed as a Foundation Governor.  I currently serve as Chair of the Governing Body, Chair of the Admissions Committee, Chair of the Performance Panel and as a member of the Complaints Committee, Resources Committee and Governors Disciplinary (Exclusions) Committee.  I am the Governor link supporting GDPR, Website and for Years 12 and House of Bakhita.

I am married to Dan and have 5 grown up children. I have 34 years’ experience in the banking sector and am currently a financial crime manager.

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Sue McLennen

Foundation Governor

Term of Office 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2027

I have been a Foundation Governor here at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School since October 2011 and currently serve as a Foundation Governor. I am Chair of the Resources Committee, and a member of the Admissions Committee, Complaints Committee, Pastoral & Safeguarding Committee, Performance Panel, and Governors Disciplinary (Exclusions) Committee.

I am the Governor link for Year 9 and Bosco House.

I am a retired NHS senior manager, active in my parish and community and wish to use my time and skills to support the education and development of our students and staff to achieve their potential as they strive to make this world a better place for us all.

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Edmondo Gallucci

Foundation Governor

Term of Office 01/10/2022 - 30/09/2026

I have been a Foundation Governor at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School since 2022 and currently I am a member of the Appeals Panel and the Resources Committee. I am Governor link supporting Year 11 and More House.

After 4 years as a parent governor in Our Lady’s RC Primary school, this is my first appointment as Foundation Governor and I look forward to serving in this wonderful secondary school.

I work as a Food Technologist, trading food products from Italy where I originally come from, since I was born in the town of pizza (Napoli!). I am married to a Hungarian woman and we have four children (one of which is at NBS); I am a practicing Catholic and Eucharistic Minister in our parish church.

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Yvonne Hawkes

Co Vice Chair or Governors

Term of Office 01/09/2023 - 31/08/2027

I have been a Foundation Governor at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School since October 2019 and currently serve as Chair of the Curriculum Committee, and a member of the Admissions Committees, Complaints Committee, Performance Panel and Governors Disciplinary (Exclusions) Committee. I am Governor link supporting the Catholic Life of the School, Year 7 and Lisieux House.

Having spent 35 years in Catholic primary education, I taught in several local Catholic primary schools. I had been the Headteacher of St Adrian’s School for 19 years before retiring. Becoming a governor in the secondary sector will present some new challenges for me but I hope to bring some of my primary experience to the role.

Filling my time in retirement has been very easy; enjoying Pilates and fitness classes; travelling and spending more time with my expanding family as more grandchildren come along.

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Jane Goring

Foundation Governor

Term of Office 01/09/2022 - 31/08/2026

I joined Nicholas Breakspear as a Foundation Governor in 2022 and am serving on the Pastoral and Safeguarding Committee, Complaints Committee, Curriculum Committee, Performance Panel and Governors Disciplinary (Exclusions) Committee. I am also Governor link for Year 10 and Bakhita House.

For much of my career, I have been a school leader in Catholic secondary schools in our diocese. In 2015, I became the Chief Inspector of Schools, with responsibility for diocesan inspection of all the schools in Westminster and most recently I have been working on the roll-out of the national inspection framework for Catholic schools for the Catholic Education Service. I have been a Foundation Governor for many years in several  Catholic primary schools and I am looking forward to the challenges that I am sure await me as a governor in the secondary sector.

I spend much of my spare time travelling, which I most enjoy when accompanied by my family. I am also a trustee of a small charity which raises money to support Christians in the Holy Land by organising pilgrimages, so I am able to indulge my love of travelling by encouraging others to travel too.

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Derek Danso

Co-Opted Governor

Term of Office 01/03/2023 - 28/02/2027

I have been a Co-Opted Governor at Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School since October 2020 and currently serve as a member of the Governors Disciplinary (Exclusions) Committee and the Resources Committee.

I am the governor link for Year 8 and Kolbe House.

I have a child that currently attends Nicholas Breakspear School and I’m looking forward to being a part of the school’s continuous future growth, building upon new opportunities and experiences for all at NBS and the community.

I am a qualified Architect and I currently run my own Architectural Practice in the Residential Sector of the Construction Industry.

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Mark Livesey

Co-Opted Governor

Term of Office 17/02/2023 - 16/02/2027

I am currently a pastoral leader and teacher at a Catholic secondary school in Hertfordshire. Since February 2023, I have served as a co-opted governor at Nicholas Breakspear, where I contribute my expertise and insights as a member of the Pastoral and Safeguarding Committee and the Curriculum Committee. I am Governor link to Year 11 and Soubirous House.

With a background in Catholic secondary education in Hertfordshire, I bring valuable experience and understanding to my role as a governor.

Motivated to further enhance my knowledge and skills, I completed a Master’s degree at the University of Oxford, focusing on the subject of teaching and learning. At Oxford, I had the opportunity to delve deeply into the intricacies of education, exploring innovative teaching methodologies and conducting research in the field. This experience broadened my perspective and equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of effective approaches, all of which I can bring to help Nicholas Breakspear School.

As a co-opted governor at Nicholas Breakspear, I draw upon my expertise in pastoral care, student voice, academic rigour, and the holistic development of students. I am dedicated to supporting the school’s mission, driven by my academic background and practical experience. My commitment is to create a positive impact within the education community by fostering a nurturing and inclusive learning environment that empowers students to reach their full potential.

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