Governing Body
Welcome to the governing body section of the school's website.
Every school has a governing body which represents the interests of children, parents and carers, the local community and the wider public in the running of the school. At St. John's, the governors work with the staff, the local authority and the Diocese of Liverpool to secure the best possible education for every child in the school and to ensure that children's safety and well-being are always to the fore.
The governing body is made up of foundation governors who represent the church and diocese, parents, school staff and the local authority. The governors at St. John's have a wide range of experience in education, the church and business. This diversity of expertise and views contributes to positive and effective governance.
The full governing body meets three times a year and is supported by a sub-committee structure which enables small groups of governors to look more closely at the daily life and running of the school. Four committees meet once a term to discuss:
- the curriculum and standards - finance and personnel
- matters concerning the school building/health and safety - Church school distinctiveness and ethos
In line with Ofsted requirements, the governors help to set the vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school. Governors make sure that the decisions made by the headteacher and members of the senior leadership team are directly linked to promoting high standards of attainment and progress and that the school's financial management is sound and focused on providing the very best for the children.
The governors play an important role in ensuring that the Christian character of the school is constantly being developed and that this directly supports children's academic and personal development.
The governing body also appoints one of its members to ensure that the school is fulfilling its responsibilities regarding child protection and safeguarding matters.
Dr. Jean Forward Chair of Governors
Mrs. Jill McElroy Vice Chair of Governors
Members of the Governing Body 2021/2022
Term of Office
Dr. Samantha Cook Foundation Governor. (November 2021 - October 2025)
The Rev'd Gregor Cuff Foundation Governor (ex Officio)
Dr. Jean Forward Foundation Governor (Chair) (June 2017 - May 2021 re-elected until 2025)
The Rev'd John Reed. Foundation Governor. (December 2021 - November 2025 re-elected)
Mr. Duncan Reid Local Authority Governor (January 2022 - January 2026)
Mrs. Jill McElroy Foundation Governor (Vice Chair) (October 2021 - September 2025 re-elected)
Mrs. Cheryl McManus Headteacher (Appointed January 2016)
Miss Philippa Morgan Staff Governor (October 2018 - September 2022)
Miss Paula O'Shaughnessy Foundation Governor. (April 2021 - March 2025)
Vacancies
1 Foundation Governor
1 Parent Governor
Governors who resigned or came to the end of their term of office during the academic year:
2016/2017: None
2018/2019: Mrs. Gill Francis (Staff Governor) Attendance 2017/2018: 3/3
Mrs. Sinead Young (Foundation Governor) Attendance 2017/2018: 3/6
2019/2020: The Rev'd Hannah Lewis (Foundation Governor) Attendance 2018/2019:9/9
2019/2020: Mrs. Tricia Waterson (Parent Governor) Attendance 2019/2020: 7/8
2020/2021: The Rev'd Janet Bissex (Foundation Governor) Attendance 2020/2021: 6/6
2020/2021: Mrs. Louise Horrocks (Local Authority Governor) Attendance 2020/21: 6/9
ATTENDANCE 2020/2021
Name | Scheduled Meetings | Meetings Attended | Apologies Accepted | Absences |
Rev J Bissex | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Rev G Cuff | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
Dr J Forward | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
Mrs L Horrocks | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
Mrs J McElroy | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
Mrs C McManus | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
Miss P Morgan | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
Rev J Reed | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
Mr D Reid | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
Mrs T Waterson (Term of office ended December 2020) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
ATTENDANCE 2019/2020
Name | Scheduled Meetings | Meetings Attended | Apologies Accepted | Absences |
Rev J Bissex | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
Rev G Cuff | 12 | 11 | 2 | 0 |
Dr J Forward | 13 | 12 | 1 | 0 |
Mrs L Horrocks | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
Rev H Lewis (term of office ended Jan 2020) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Mrs J McElroy | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
Mrs C McManus | 13 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
Miss P Morgan | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
Rev J Reed | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
Mr D Reid | 9 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
Mrs T Waterson | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
Sub-committee membership
Mrs. C. McManus (Headteacher) attends all sub-committee meetings
Personnel and Finance Buildings, health and safety
The Rev'd G. Cuff The Rev'd G. Cuff
Dr. J. Forward Dr. J. Forward
Mrs. J. McElroy (Chair) Mrs. J. McElroy
The Rev'd J. Reed The Rev'd J. Reed
Mr. D. Reid Mr. D. Reid (Chair)
Curriculum, standards and quality Ethos, vision and values
Dr. S. Cook Dr. S. Cook
The Rev'd G. Cuff The Rev'd G. Cuff (Chair)
Dr. J. Forward (Chair) Dr. J. Forward
Mrs. J. McElroy Miss P. Morgan
Miss P. Morgan Miss P. O'Shaugnessy
Miss P. O'Shaugnessy
Governors with additional responsibilities
Dr. S. Cook. SEND and Pupil Premium
The Rev'd G. Cuff Personal development
Dr. J. Forward Safeguarding, Church school distinctiveness, mental health and wellbeing
Miss P. O'Shaughnessy Attendance and punctuality
Mrs. J. McElroy Foundation curriculum
The Rev'd J. Reed. Core curriculum
Mr. D. Reid. British values and online safety
Additional committees
Pay committee: The Rev'd G. Cuff, Dr. J. Forward, Mrs. J. McElroy
Headteacher performance management: The Rev'd G. Cuff, Dr. J. Forward, Mrs. J. McElroy
Pupil discipline committee: The Rev'd G. Cuff, Mrs. J. McElroy
Staff discipline committee: The Rev'd J. Reed, Mr. D. Reid
Appeals committee: Three governors as required and dependant on type of appeal
Governors' Register of Interest:
We are under a duty to publish relevant business and financial interests of governors and details of other educational establishments they govern. Please find below details in respect of this duty:
None have been declared.