We are extremely lucky at St Robert Bellarmine to have an active and committed board of Governors who work very hard on behalf of the school. The Governing Body meets each term. There are a number of Committees which focus on areas of school life. Our main committees are Staffing, Finance and Premises, Curriculum and Safeguarding. The committees also meet each term. There are a number of other committees which meet less regularly or as and when the need arises. Each committee consists of at least 3 governors along with the Headteacher.

The governors have a very important role- they are responsible for ensuring all children get a really good education at our school. The governors receive information which helps to evidence how the school is performing. This is analysed and discussed at the committees and at the Full governing body meeting. It is their job to monitor the performance of the school and to hold the headteacher and staff to account.

 The term of office for Governors runs for 4 years. Governor elections for Parents take place when a vacancy arises.

Governors at the meeting in October 2023 agreed they were not publishing diversity information.

Anne-Marie Pennington (Chair of Governors)

I have been a governor at St Robert Bellarmine since September 1994. After serving two terms as an Elected Parent Governor, I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in September 2000 and became Chair of Governors in September 2012. In that time, I have had a number of roles and I serve on numerous committees. The year group I am linked to is Reception.

I am an active member of St Robert Bellarmine parish where I am a Eucharistic Minister and the Parish Safeguarding Rep. I am also proud to have been a member of the recent Archdiocesan Synod.

Professionally, I have worked in Higher Education but believe it is a great privilege to have a role to play alongside our talented, hard-working staff, supportive parents and dedicated governors in providing the wonderful children who attend St Robert Bellarmine School with the best Primary Education possible.

Christine Jones

I was first appointed as a Foundation Governor in October 2012.

I live in the Parish of St Robert Bellarmine's and am proud to say that three generations of my family have attended St Robert Bellarmine's school.

In 2017 I took early retirement from one of the major high street banks and since September 2020 I have been the Parish Administrator for St Robert Bellarmine and St Elizabeth of Hungary parishes.

As a Governor I am on the Curriculum and Safeguarding committees and I am the Link Governor for Equality, Special Education Needs, Religious Education and Year 2.

It is a great privilege to be able to give something back to the school in this way and I look forward to continue to support the wonderful work and dedication of our school, children, staff and parents.

Martin Humphreys

I’ve been a governor at our school since 2012 , nearly 10 years !

In that my time my three children

have all attended the school and like myself and my wife have lots of great memories and experiences. I even attended the school myself ( many years ago!) and I too have fond memories of my school days here.

Sadly last year my youngest Ava finished her final year in the school, but like her two other siblings had left well prepared and ready for secondary school thanks to the teachers here

As a  governor I sit on various committees including finance staffing and premises and I’m also the PE governor ! In my employment as a retail operations manager I am able to call on a number of skills and experience I have acquired to support if need be in my role as school governor.

I’ve been a governor at our school since 2012 , nearly 10 years !

Samantha Roper

I have been a parent Governor in school since 2015. I am currently the chair of the safeguarding committee, I also the link governor for the English curriculum and year 4.

Sue Keelan

I have been a Foundation Governor since 2019.

I live in the Parish of St. Elizabeth of Hungary which is the joint parish with St. Robert Bellarmines and I do have strong connections with St. Robert Bellarmines. My children and grandchildren all attended the school and 2 grandchildren are still attending the school.

I am now retired from the banking Industry and I was also a local Magistrate and Brownie Guider at St. Monicas.

I now have time to offer to assist the school in any way required. I look forward to working with the staff and pupils.

Joanne Jones

I have been a Governor at the school for nearly 15 years. I am on various Governor committees for the school and I have a good understanding of St Robert Bellarmines as my two daughters both attended the school.

Jamie Sheils

I have been a governor since 2008

Each of my 3 children attended the school and it provided them with a wonderful start to their school life and preparing them for secondary school.

I have lived in the parish for 23 years and was always very proud to have such a high performing and well regarded school so close.

I am a firm believer that education should be accessible, all-inclusive and provide a safe and caring environment for our young learners to develop both personally and academically. I firmly believe St Robert Bellarmine’s excels in these areas which is credit to the headteacher, staff and governors and was my motivation for getting involved. I am on a couple of committees and the link governor for Maths.

Professionally, I have many years of business experience from senior management in banking to holding senior roles in secondary schools to most recently holding a directorship in a successful company. Over the years I have developed a broad range of business management skills from operational to financial which help me in this role.

Clare Howarth

I was an elected Parent governor in January 2023.

I live in the Parish of St Robert Bellarmines, and I have 2 happy children who enjoy coming to this school each day. 

I currently work part time as a Civil Servant in accounting and in my spare time, I work with young girls as a Girl Guiding Leader in St Pauls Church.  I am also part of the Friends & Associates of St Robert Bellarmine where I make toast for the children, help organise Christmas and summer fayres and various fund raisers throughout the year to put back into the school for children to enjoy.

I enjoy being part of the governor team who helps support this fantastic school to ensure the children’s happiness and welfare are at the heart of all decision making.

Goverance roles in other Educational institutions

None

Material interest arising from relationsips between governors or relationships between governors and school staff

None

There are no school employees who have a gross annual salary of £100,000 or more in increments of £10,000.

Details of the school's finance can be found on this website:

https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/school?urn=104906

Head Teacher: Mrs Mairead O’Neill Dowell

Chairperson: Mrs Anne-Marie Pennington

Contact details for Chairperson via Clerk to the governors:

finance.strobertbellarmine@schools.sefton.gov.uk

    Vice Chairperson: Mrs Pat Desmond

Clerk to Governors: 

September 2024 to July 2025

September 2023 to July 2024

Former Governors 2023/24

Committees

Register of Interests

Record of Attendance September 2023 - July 2024

Head Teacher: Mrs Mairead O’Neill Dowell

Chairperson: Mrs Anne-Marie Pennington

Contact details for Chairperson via Clerk to the governors:

finance.strobertbellarmine@schools.sefton.gov.uk

    Vice Chairperson: Mrs Pat Desmond

Clerk to Governors: Mrs Colette Clarke

September 2022 to July 2023

Former Governors 2022/23

Committees

Register of Interests

Record of Attendance September 2022 - July 2023