At St Robert Bellarmine Catholic Primary School, we are fortunate to have a committed Governing Body which works closely with our Headteacher and staff to support the continued development of our school.

Our governors share our commitment to providing every child with an excellent education rooted in our Catholic faith and school mission.

“We are God’s work of art.”

The Governing Body has an important strategic role. Governors work collectively to:

• ensure that the school has a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction;

• support and challenge school leaders;

• hold the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils;

• oversee the effective and appropriate use of the school’s financial resources;

• monitor safeguarding and the wellbeing of pupils and staff; and

• help ensure that our Catholic mission remains at the heart of school life.

Governors receive and consider information about the school, visit school as part of their monitoring responsibilities and contribute through meetings of the Full Governing Body and its committees. 

Meet Our Governors

Mrs Anne-Marie Pennington — Chair of Governors

Category: Foundation Governor
Current term began: 1 September 2024
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Archdiocese
Role: Chair of Governors

Mrs Pat Desmond — Vice Chair of Governors

Category: Foundation Governor
Current term began: 1 September 2024
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Archdiocese
Responsibilities: Vice Chair; GDPR

Mr Martin Humphreys

Category: Foundation Governor
Current term began: 2 October 2024
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Archdiocese
Responsibility: PE Governor

Mrs Christine Jones

Category: Foundation Governor
Current term began: 2 October 2024
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Archdiocese
Responsibilities: SEND; Religious Education

Mrs Joanne Jones

Category: Foundation Governor
Current term began: 1 October 2024
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Archdiocese
Responsibility: Link Governor

Mrs Samantha Roper

Category: Foundation Governor
Current term began: 31 October 2023
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Archdiocese
Responsibilities: Safeguarding; Looked After Children; Equality; English; Computing/E-Safety

Mrs Susan Keelan

Category: Foundation Governor
Current term began: 6 November 2023
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Archdiocese

Mr Stephen Seeckts

Category: Staff Governor
Current term began: 1 September 2024
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Elected by staff

Mr Neil Farmer

Category: Associate Governor
Current term began: 3 March 2023
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Full Governing Body
Responsibility: Attendance

Mrs Clare Howarth

Category: Parent Governor
Current term began: 20 January 2023
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Elected by parents

Mr Mark Williams

Category: Parent Governor
Current term began: 11 December 2023
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Elected by parents

Mr Jamie Sheils

Category: Local Authority Governor
Term of office: 4 years
Appointed by: Local Authority
Responsibility: Maths

Headteacher - Mrs Mairead O’Neill Dowell

The Headteacher is a member of the Governing Body by virtue of her office.

Category: Headteacher
Member since: 1 September 2006 

Contact Our Governors

Chair of Governors: Mrs Anne-Marie Pennington
Vice Chair of Governors: Mrs Pat Desmond
Headteacher: Mrs Mairead O’Neill Dowell

The Chair of Governors can be contacted via the Clerk to Governors:

finance.strobertbellarmine@schools.sefton.gov.uk

Correspondence for the Governing Body may also be sent via the school office.