Governance | Corpus Christi Catholic Primary Academy

Governance
Meet the Governors

St Francis and St Clare Annual Reports and Financial Statements Board of Directors Governance

St Francis and St Clare Legal Documents

Governance Arrangements

Board of Directors	Governors
Dr Chris Walker - Chair	Ms Geraldine Walker - Chair
Ms Geraldine Walker - Vice Chair	Miss Clare McGarrigle - Vice Chair
Mrs Marie-Nicole Anderton	Mrs Samantha Ash
Mgr Canon Mark Crisp	Mrs Laura Bowen
Mr Richard Morgan	Mr David Johnson
Mrs Ann Shorthouse	Mrs Janet Mellor
	Mrs Laura Roden
	Mrs Angela Walker
	Mrs Julie Wardle - Principal
	Parent Governor Vacancy
	Parent Governor Vacancy

Sam Ash

Type of Governor: Foundation

Link Governor Role: RE and Catholic Life

I grew up in the West Midlands, attending Hagley Catholic High School and then Aberystwyth University gaining a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing. I was brought up a Catholic and currently attend Our Lady of Perpetual Succour on the Cannock Road. I have been teaching for nearly 15 years, all of those at Our Lady and St Chad as an RE teacher; I enjoy raising the profile of Catholic life and worship within the school, working with other teachers, supporting liturgies, charity work and our chaplaincy team within school. I also help lead the youth SVP group in school and take 6th formers to work with the sick on the Archdiocese of Birmingham pilgrimage to Lourdes every year. I am Chair of the Birmingham Lourdes Hospitalité and volunteer as Deputy Chief Handmaid, helping to organising the pilgrimage. I live with my husband, two daughters and two labradors. I am new to being a governor but I am looking forward to helping with the Catholic life of the school.

David Johnson

Type of Governor: Foundation

Link Governor Role: Health & Safety/Estates

I grew up in Tipton; I trained as a bench joiner, then went to university and got my degree as a surveyor. I have Health and Safety qualifications, and many others! My role now is that of an Asset Manager of a church housing association. I am married with two children, a daughter who has just qualified as a teacher (and wanted to be a teacher since she was at school and starts in the Bushbury area in September), and my son, who is at college studying early years education, which he loves. I am a practicing catholic; I am a member of Catenian Association in Wolverhampton. My son was an altar server, and I assist with the collection, any maintenance, helping setting the church up for Christmas, Easter tide etc. Previously I was a Governor at a local school to where I live, and I was both Assistant Chair and Chair; I remained on the Board for 15 years and I was also on the board when we joined a MAC. It's all about students and the wider community! I am proud that I am at Corpus Christi.

Laura Bowen

Type of Governor: Staff

Link Governor Role: School Improvement/Curriculum

I grew up in Wolverhampton, not too far from Corpus Christi; after leaving school, I studied at Wolverhampton College where I did a qualification in Early Years. Following this I worked in a Nursery setting with children from 0-5 years for a number of years. I then went on to work in a Wolverhampton primary school, where I was the administrator for the Early Years department until starting at Corpus Christi in 2020, where I am currently the office manager. I have two young children who are currently 5 and 1 years old, who keep me very busy outside of work. I have been the staff Governor here since 2021 and find it really interesting to see all the hard work and commitment that goes on behind the scenes.

Claire McGarrigle

Type of Governor: Foundation

Link Governor Role: School Improvement/Curriculum; Vice Chair

I have been in Catholic education my whole life. I’m a former pupil of St Anne’s and Blessed William Howard schools in Stafford and I have taught in Catholic secondary schools for the last 28+ years, gaining an MA in Catholic School Leadership from St Mary’s in Twickenham along the way. I am currently an assistant principal and English teacher with whole school pastoral and communication, language and literacy responsibilities, and I believe in helping every child to become the best that they can be. I attend St Austin's Catholic Church in Stafford, which I serve as both a reader and Eucharistic Minister. I have worked on governing bodies and Boards of Directors for the past 8 years to support our Catholic schools in their mission to provide every child with an excellent education and to secure Catholic education for the future. I love reading, travelling and, since lockdown, I have been developing my artistic side through painting and crafting.

Janet Mellor

Type of Governor: Foundation

Link Governor Role: RE and Catholic Life

I live in Lichfield where I attend the local Catholic churches - we have two in our parish. I have had a long career in education, including full time secondary teaching, lecturing and teacher training. I now do work for the Archdiocese in a full range of schools. I consider my role as a school Governor as an important way of continuing to contribute to the education of children and young people.

Laura Roden

Type of Governor: Foundation

Link Governor Role:

I have a degree in German with Spanish from Aberystwyth University. I am a Curriculum Leader for MFL at Our Lady and St Chad and have been teaching for 10 years. I am a Catholic and I attend Corpus Christi Catholic Church on Griffiths Drive, Wolverhampton. I am part of the reading team at Corpus Christi and although it´s slightly nerve wracking, I am enjoying reading in church. I am new to the governing body of Corpus Christi, however I am very much looking forward to working with the other Governors to support the staff and students here. I have an interest in raising the profile of languages at primary school level; I look forward to learning a lot from my colleagues, and sharing my experiences and knowledge with staff who are less experienced. I enjoy reading in my spare time, as well as spending time with my family and our two cats.

Angela Walker

Type of Governor: Foundation

Link Governor Role: SEND and Inclusion

Angela has a background in child development and disability, and worked for many years as a consultant community paediatrician in Wolverhampton (in her maiden name, Dr Moore). She is married to Dr Chris Walker, the Chair of the Board of Directors of St Francis and St Clare Catholic MAC. Their four children all attended local Catholic schools (St Christopher's and St Edmund's). Angela was a parent governor and then a foundation governor at St Edmund's where she served on the academic subcommittee; she was a foundation Director of Pope John 23rd Catholic MAC from its formation in 2015 until it became part of the St Francis and St Clare Catholic MAC. She has been a governor at Holy Rosary since 2015 and is currently the Chair of the Local Governing Board there, as well as being on the Board here at Corpus Christi. Angela is a member of St Thomas of Canterbury parish where she is their Safeguarding representative and has been involved in the children's liturgy for many years. She is a member of the Lay Community of St Benedict.

Geraldine Walker

Type of Governor: Foundation

Link Governor Role: Safeguarding, Attendance, Finance, Pupil Premium, Health & Safety/Estates; Chair

Geraldine has been involved as a Foundation Governor for both Catholic primary and Secondary schools for over 20 years both prior to, and now within the St Francis and St Clare Catholic MAC. She has held a variety of governance roles including as Chair, as well as Link governance in Finance, RE and Catholic Life, Safeguarding, and Special Education Needs (SEND). Now retired, Geraldine has been employed over the years in Local Government and the Voluntary sector which has given her a range of skills and experiences which she brings to the role of Foundation Governor. She has a strong belief in excellent Catholic education generally, and the development of the whole child in wider educational experiences eg music, art, drama and sports as well as the necessary academic subjects. As a governor at Corpus Christi since 2017, she is ambitious for all Corpus' pupils - as our mission statement says: 'With Jesus in your heart and Others on your mind, You can be your best.'