St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Welcome to our Governors’ section.

All schools in England have a Governing Body which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. A key role is to act as a 'critical friend': to support, to challenge, to ask questions, ultimately to represent the school community.

The Governing Body works in close partnership with the Executive Headteacher, Head of School, staff and the local authority. Whilst the Executive Headteacher is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the governors are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives.

Who are we?

The Governing Body now consists of:

The Executive Headteacher
One elected staff governor
Four foundation governors
One elected parent governor

The standard term of office for a governor is four years. The chair and vice-chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.

The Chair of Governors is Mr J Cape, who can be contacted via the school office or directly via email at admin@smcps.co.uk

The Governing Body meets at least three times each year with committee meetings during the year.

Committees include:

Finance Committee - Chair, Mrs E Cotterill
All other aspects of school life which require governance are arranged through the Chair.

Please click below to view the Terms of Reference

The Governing Body for academic year 2026/2027 consists of:

Mr J Cape: Chair of governors (Foundation governor)

Term of office: 05/03/2023 - 04/03/2027
Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
Has responsibility for: Section 48 - RE, RHSE, Premises, H&S
Register of interests: None

Mrs D McCay: Headteacher

A member of the governing body by virtue of position in school
Sits on all committees
Register of interests: None

Mrs E Cotterill Vice Chair of Governors (Foundation governor)

Term of office: 27/01/25 - 26/01/29
Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
Has responsibility for: Safeguarding, SEND, Mental Health
Register of interests: Sits on the board of 2 other governing bodies, Works for the LA within the Adults & Community department

Mrs L Wallhead (Staff Governor)

Term of office: 01/09/2026 - 31/08/2030
Appointed by the staff of the school
Register of interests: None

Mr P McCay(Foundation governor)

Term of office: 12/07/2023 - 11/07/2027
Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
Has responsibility for: Pupil Premium, Attendance, Finance, HR, SCR
Register of interests: Governor at two other establishments, Related to a member of Staff

Ms A Dews (Foundation governor)

Term of office: 22/10/2025 - 21/10/2029
Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
Has responsibility for: HR, SCR
Register of interests: Sits on the board of 1 other governing body

Mr A Omolade (Parent Governor)

Term of office: 08/12/2025 to 07/12/2029
Appointed by the parents of the school
Register of interests: H&S, IT

General Meetings

Date	DM	LM	EC	AD	PM	JC	AO	CoOp
07/10/2026
10/03/2027
14/07/2027

Finance Committee

Date	DM	LM	EC	AD	PM	JC	AO	CoOp
17/10/2026
20/01/2027
17/03/2027
30/06/2027

The Governing Body for academic year 2025/2026 consists of: