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St. Francis' Catholic Primary School

"For it is in giving that we receive." St. Francis of Assisi

Governor Profiles

Annette Flannery - Chair of Governors   

I was delighted to be appointed a Foundation Governor at St Francis School and now Chair of Governors. My three children were pupils here and I have always found it to be a happy, friendly and caring school. I worked for many years in Local Government and will use my skills to support the Governing body to continue to ensure every child has a happy and safe school to learn in.

Laura Harding  Vice Chair 
 

"As a former pupil at St Francis and now a parent of two children who were/are pupils at the school, I am delighted to become a Foundation Governor.

My professional background is in financial services. I am also a recently qualified reflexologist. I have spent a few years volunteering for the PTA at St Francis as well as reading in school and assisting on school trips. I am also a member of the team delivering Children's Liturgy at my local parish church.

I believe that the skills I have learned in my professional career, as well as in my volunteer roles, will be useful in my role as a Foundation Governor and RE Lead.

I firmly believe in education for all children and am looking forward to serving the school community in this role."

Mary Tomlin - Local Education Authority Governor
 

Local Education Authority Governor since 1991

It has been my privilege to serve as the Local Education Authority (LEA) Governor of St. Francis’ Catholic Primary School for more than 25 years.  I am fully committed to our catholic system of education within the public sector. All my four children attended St. Francis where I believe they made a good start in their education for life and four of my five grandchildren now attend catholic schools in Leeds.  I hope that my long experience as a governor and as a chartered accountant working mainly in the charity and NGO sectors make me a useful member of the governing body.
 

Grant Wallis   Details to Follow 
 

Emma Cassidy  

Hello, I am Emma Cassidy and I am delighted to serve as a School Governor here at St Francis. As a parent of two boys in the school, I have a personal connection to the school community and I am particularly passionate about ensuring that all children, including those with special educational needs (SEN), receive the support and accommodations they need to thrive.

I believe strongly in the value of diversity and inclusion, and I am committed to fostering an environment where neurodevelopmental differences are not just accepted but celebrated. My son’s experience with SEN has provided me with valuable insights into the challenges that can be faced, and I am dedicated to advocating for their needs.

I am eager to contribute to the school’s ongoing success by working collaboratively with parents, teachers, and the wider community, utilising my professional skills and experience in neurodiversity, safeguarding, and partnership working.

Kate Ashforth - SEND Governor 

Kate Ashforth photoFoundation Governor since September 2016

I was delighted to join the team of governors at St Francis School, as I feel very strongly about education for all. With a background in healthcare as the Speech and Language Therapy Manager at the Royal Marsden Hospital,  I have a keen interest in supporting all ranges of ability. In my early career I worked with children with speech and language delay and am highly aware of the importance of communication as building blocks for ongoing education.  

Having moved to Caterham relatively recently, it is a wonderful opportunity to be involved in the centre of the community and with such a dynamic school. Our daughter has just turned four and is currently at nursery but will be starting school in 2017. As a Catholic I firmly believe in the ethos of the school and highly value a Catholic education.

I hope to bring my healthcare background to the governing body and contribute in continuing to drive the school forward.

Eleanor Hooper - Foundation Governor and Safeguarding lead 

Foundation Governor from September 2017

I was delighted to be appointed as foundation governor for St Francis having previously been a pupil here myself and now a parent to my two wonderful daughters who both attend the school.

My professional experience and expertise is in education as a key stage co-ordinator for Science in a local secondary school.  I believe in education for all and that all children should have access to a safe and happy environment in which to learn

Rachael Kay - Previous Parent Governor, Staff Governor since March 2023
 

I was delighted to become a governor at St Francis in 2019 and have recently been appointed staff governor. Having been a pupil here myself and wished for my two children to follow in my footsteps and attend St Francis. I believe all children have a right to an education. I have experience of working in different educational provisions. I am a secondary-trained Food Teacher and have experience in supporting pupils with varying needs such as autism and visual impairment. I have continued to develop my experience and currently work as a teaching assistant within the school.