All governing bodies of schools are called to act as ‘critical friends’ to the leadership of their schools, providing strategic leadership and accountability. This is focused on three key functions:
- overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent,
- holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and
- ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.
The below document details further information about the governing body at St Mary’s, and details of its structure and responsibilities and its committees.
Claire Turner - Chair of Governors
Category of Governor
Foundation, Appointed by the London Diocesan Board for Schools
Additional Information
Chair of Governors
Committee membership: Resources; Pay; Senior Leadership Appraisal Group (Chair); Link Governor for Relationships, Health & Sex Education
Declared Business Interests (18.07.2023)
Employed by Whittington Health NHS Trust, Barnet Children's Integrated Therapies
End Term of Office: 14.11.2026
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 5/5
I was appointed as a governor of St Mary’s in July 2014. As a parent of children at the school, I consider it a real privilege to serve the school in this way, and to help develop its work and vision.
I am a member of a church in Central London, and professionally I work as a Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist. In my spare time I enjoy reading, Pilates and cooking (eating) nice food.
I can be contacted via the school office or by email: chair@stmarysn3.barnetmail.net
Julian Trevelyan - Vice Chair of Governors
Category of Governor
Foundation, Appointed by the PCC of St Mary-at-Finchley Church N3
Additional Information
Vice-Chair of Governors
Committee membership: Resources (Chair); Standards & Learning
Link Governor for SEN
Declared Business Interests: 10.08.2023
Trustee of Avenue House Estate Trust
End term of office: 21.09.2024
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 5/5
I was appointed as a governor of St Mary’s in September 2020 by the PCC of St Mary-at-Finchley Church. I have close ties with the school as my son attended from nursery to year 6, leaving in 2018 and during most of that time I was PTA Treasurer. My background is in finance and I worked in the banking sector of the City for over 20 years. I am keen that all children of St Mary's have an education which develops their potential to the full but also allows them the confidence to enjoy learning. My outside interests are varied including spending time with family, growing veg on the allotment, playing bridge and campanology (you may have heard our efforts coming from the bell tower of St Mary-at Finchley!)
The Revd. Philip Davison - Deputy Vice Chair of Governors
Category of Governor
Foundation, Ex-officio, Rector of St Mary's N3
Additional Information
Deputy Vice Chair of Governors
Committee membership: Christian Ethos (Chair); Standards & Learning; Admissions
Link Governor for Well-being
Declared Business Interests 10.11.2022
Rector of St-Mary's-At-Finchley, N3
Term of Office: N/A
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 5/5
I have been a governor at St Mary's since September 2008 when I became Rector of St Mary-at-Finchley and ex officio Foundation Governor. Both my children have attended St Mary's in recent years so I have experienced the school as a parent too. I visit the school regularly and lead acts of Collective Worship.
Before I moved to Finchley I was for a number of years Vice Chair of Governors for the local Community Primary School. Prior to ordination I worked in local government as a systems analyst. I believe education is a vital part of the Church’s mission.
Nick Turvey
Category of Governor
Foundation, Appointed by the London Diocesan Board for Schools
Additional Information
Committee membership: Resources; Pay (Chair)
Declared Business Interests (24.05.2022)
None
End Term of Office: 19.07.2024
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 3/5
I was appointed as a governor of St Mary’s in July 2020. Through my Church, I am a family friend of two families with children at the school, and my wife and I have worked with children on a voluntary basis for over six years. I am a lawyer by day, and I live locally. I am firmly committed to enhancing both the prospects of all children at St Mary's and the school's firm Christian foundations, and I am pleased to be able to help in any way I can in my role as Governor.
Chris Huyck
Category of Governor
Foundation, Appointed by the PCC of St Paul's Church, Finchley N3
Additional Information
Committee membership: Christian Ethos; Standards & Learning
Link Governor for Pupil Premium
Declared Business Interests: 18.11.2022
Employed by Middlesex University, Soffos inc
End Term of office: 31.08.2024
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 2/5
I was appointed as a governor of St Mary's in May 2021 by the PCC of St Paul's Church Finchley. I have close ties with the school as my son and two daughters attended from nursery to year 6, starting in 2006 and leaving in 2018. My background is in computer science and academia. I am the Professor of Artificial Intelligence at Middlesex University, and have been at Middlesex since 1998. I hope that all of the children of St Mary's will have an enjoyable and productive education that helps them develop towards adulthood. In particular, I hope that they will enjoy learning both in and beyond school. My outside interests are varied including spending time with family, playing ultimate frisbee, and playing the guitar.
Paul Kiruvanayagam
Category of Governor
Foundation, Appointed by Barnet Deanery Synod
Additional Information
N/A
Declared Business Interests: 1TBC
End Term of office: 07.11.2027
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: N/A
I was recently appointed Governor of St. Mary’s. My niece and nephew were both members of the school. By day, I lead software engineering teams which doesn’t leave me too much time to do the cool hands of programming. I live locally with my wife Sarah, and our two children who currently attend Wren Academy. I am a member of St. Barnabas Church and part of the men’s leadership team that aims to increase men’s participation in the Church. I am very passionate about ensuring St. Mary’s continues to have the best Christian founded educational prospects and look forward to supporting in this area and beyond.
Category of Governor
Parent, Elected by the parents and carers at the school
Additional Information
Committee membership: Resources; Pay
Declared Business Interests 10.10.2022
None
End Term of Office: 22.02.2026
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 3/5
I was first elected parent governor in February 2018. I have been a parent at the school since 2015. As an experienced healthcare professional (practising pharmacist for over 15 years) I have a strong interest in public health and am particularly passionate about the welfare of children. I have many years experience in senior management roles, enabling me to put people into the heart of everything I do. I am truly honoured to serve our wonderful school, by upholding its vision and values and helping deliver its goals.
Stacey Hughes
Category of Governor
Local Authority, appointed by London Borough of Barnet
Additional Information
Committee Membership: Admissions (Chair); Christian Ethos
Declared Business Interests: 18.07.2023
None
End Term of Office: 20.12.24
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 4/5
I was appointed as a governor in December 2020.
I'm very thankful for the opportunity to serve in the local community as a governor for St Mary's. I work in a central London church with responsibilities for discipleship and pastoral care. I'm particularly committed to making sure that children, parents and staff can flourish in their time with us at St Mary's.
Stefan Roos
Category of Governor
Staff, Ex-officio, Executive Head Teacher
Additional Information
Committee membership: Resources; Christian Ethos; Pay; Senior Leadership Appraisal Group
Declared Business Interests (03.12.21)
None.
End Term of Office: N/A
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 4/5
I have been head teacher and a governor at St Mary’s since September 2015. I first became a head teacher in 2008 and regard it as my calling to work with children and their families in this capacity. I have taught in Church of England schools in London since I have started my teaching career and as a practising Christian, I greatly value the opportunity this brings to express our faith freely as a school community. I also value the firm foundation provided by the ethos of such schools, not only in enabling us to teach the curriculum form our Christian perspective, but also to teach children about the love of God.
I believe that all of us have equal worth, and will therefore always do my best to ensure that all the children in our school have the best opportunities possible to achieve their full potential. I am privileged to work in such a wonderful school, where the hard work and support of all stakeholders in the school community have such a positive impact on what we achieve together.
Jodie Lawes
Category of Governor
Elected Staff
Additional Information
Committee membership: Standards & Learning; Resources
Declared Business Interests (31.01.2023)
Parent of a child at the school
End Term of office: 06.11.2026
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 4/5
I was elected staff governor in October 2022. I have been teaching for over 11 years and have worked in a variety of different schools. I joined St Mary’s as a class teacher in January 2022 and have loved being a part of the St Mary’s family. My daughter also attends St Mary’s and is thriving daily. I am committed to our school’s Christian ethos, our vision and the future of our children. Due to my role, I am able to bring a teacher's perspective to discussions. I am enjoying working with my fellow governors, making decisions and making a difference.
Rebecca Atkinson
Category of Governor
Parent, Elected by the parents and carers of the school
Additional Information
Committee membership: Standards and Learning (Chair); Admissions
Link Governor for Safeguarding
Declared Business Interests (14.09.2022)
As a parent, I know various families at the school which is occasionally relevant.
End Term of Office: 23.11.2027
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-23: 5/5
I was elected to the position of parent governor in November 2019 and it has been a privilege to work with the school during these recent challenging years. Having been a parent at St Mary's since 2012, with 3 of my 5 children still attending, I am very committed to the continued development of our school. I have a long-standing interest in children’s welfare, originally training in UK and Canada as an Anaesthetic doctor specialising in Paediatrics. I returned to work during the Covid period in intensive care/anaesthetics and now work as a Consultant Anaesthetist and Guardian of Safe Working hours for my hospital. My background has enabled me in my role as Safeguarding Link Governor, and the safety and well-being of children is an area I feel particularly passionately about. I care deeply for our school community and believe that all children, and their families, should feel included and supported during their education, allowing them to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Andrew Hagger
Category of Governor
Associate Governor, appointed by the Governing Body
Additional Information
Committee membership: Resources; Standards & Learning
Declared Business Interests (21.03.2022)
Employed as Policy & Review Manager by London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and Wandsworth Borough Council
Member of the steering group of Barnet Climate Action Group
End Term of office: 31.07.2024
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 4/5
I was appointed as an Associate Governor in 2020 and am delighted to be involved in supporting the local school that both my daughters attend. I have worked in local government for 15 years across a range of roles, with experience in policy, innovation, climate change and governance.
Eve Watson
Category of Governor
Associate Governor, appointed by the Governing Body
Additional Information
Head of School
Committee membership: Standards & Learning; Admissions
Declared Business Interests (16.11.2022)
None
End Term of Office: 31.08.2024
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2022-2023: 5/5
I joined St. Mary's in September 2023, as Head of School and as a governor. I have been fortunate enough to work in education for the last 24 years. I am passionate about children's education and ensuring all children reach their full potential. I feel privileged to be part of such an amazing school community, where everyone works together to ensure the best possible outcomes for all!
Jing Lee
Treasurer
Additional Information
Committee membership: Resources
Declared Business Interests (12.07.2022)
None
End Term of Office: n/a
Attendance at FGB meetings during the academic year 2021/2022 : N/A