The Federation of Guardian Angels' and Our Lady of Lourdes Leadership Structure

The Federation has one overarching governing body with governance responsibility and accountability across both schools. This was established on 1 September 2021.

The Governing Body is accountable for the school's overall performance, though the schools are run on a day to day basis by the Executive Head and Heads of School. The Governors work closely with the Executive Headteacher to set the overall direction and aims of the schools offering a balance of support and challenge. Their responsibilities include appointing the Executive Headteacher and Head of Schools; overseeing the schools finances; making sure the curriculum is balanced and broadly based and setting targets for pupil achievement.

The Governing Body legal duties include:

• Setting strategic direction, policies and objectives
• approving the school budget
• reviewing progress against the school's budget and objectives
• appointing, challenging and supporting the Executive Headteacher and Heads of School

The Federation Governing Body is made up of twelve governors.

The Federation Governing Body:

Chair of Governors: Mr David Jackson (Foundation Governor)

Vice Chair of Governors: Mrs Aislinn Marek (GA Parent Governor)

Fr Paul Cannon (Ex officio)

Mr Jonathan Walsh (Foundation Governor)

Mr Greg Brett (Foundation Governor)

Mrs Stephanie Sweeney (Foundation Governor)

Mr Martyn Bannister (Foundation Governor)

Cllr Martin Hayes (Foundation Governor)

Mrs Joanne Davies (Executive Headteacher)

Mrs Caroline Carlon (LA Governor)

Mr Graham Johnson (OLOL Parent Governor)

Mrs Katherine Wilson (Staff Governor) Mrs Victoria Dalton has been elected whilst Mrs Wilson is on Maternity leave

Mr Malembe Makawa (Associate Governor)

Role of the Foundation Governors

Although all the governors have the responsibility to promote and maintain the school's Catholic character and mission, the foundation governors have special responsibility in this area. The CES document 'Governing a Catholic School' (1998) gives this summary of their role:

'Foundation governors are appointed by the Bishop specifically to ensure:

• That the religious character of the school is preserved;
• That the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed (ie the Diocesan deed)
• That the religious education curriculum is in accordance with the Bishop's policy for his diocese, based on the Bishop's Conference Curriculum Directory'

Foundation governors in voluntary aided schools with a religious character have additional legal duties:

They are:

• In employing teachers, 'whenever possible, they should appoint Catholic teachers in order to promote and maintain the Catholic ethos of the school'. They must appoint practising Catholics to the posts of Headteacher, deputy headteacher and coordinator of religious education.
• Admitting children 'first and foremost on religious grounds'. By giving priority for admission to baptised Catholic children;
• Ensuring that the whole curriculum, including religious education, 'is taught in the light of gospel values and actively promotes the spiritual and moral development of the pupils.'

Role of Staff Governor

Staff governors are elected in the same way as other governors.

There is a teaching /  support staff member on the governing body and they serve a four year term.

The Executive Headteacher is automatically a part of the Governing Body and other members of the leadership team may be delegated to particular committees on their behalf.

Role of Parent Governors

Parent governors are in a unique position on a governing body. Not only do parent governors have to work in the best interests of the school, but they have to balance this with their natural desire to see the best outcomes for their own child(ren).

Parent governors are not delegates and not obliged to get voting instructions on matters to be decided, nor to vote in accordance with the parent body's views.

It is important that parent governors can give a fair and accurate representation of parental opinion on matters of importance.

Care must, however, be taken if they are approached by another parent with a complaint about the school. In which case the parent concerned should be referred to the school's complaints policy.

They vote, however, according to their own conscience and with the wellbeing of the school foremost in mind.

Role of Local Authority Governors

Their role is to represent the Local Authority but they do not have to vote in agreement with the views of the LA. As all governors, their duty is to put the best interests of the school first.

Associate Governors

The Federation Governing Body can also invite additional associate members as required to provide a specialist skills set and ensure strong governance. Associate members will not have the voting rights of the governing body.

The Admissions Authority

The Federation governing body is also the admissions authority for both schools within the Federation. The Federation complies with the guidance and suggested admissions policy set out by the Diocese of Salford.

Committee

All governors are part of the Full Governing Body and invited to attend those meetings. Governors are also invited to join the sub committees. The Federation Governing Body has two sub committees, each has delegated responsibility and accountability across both schools.

Curriculum committee

This committee focuses on the Curriculum offer; SEND provision; Safeguarding and pastoral support; standards including assessment and target setting.

Chair: Mr David Jackson

Members: Mrs Katherine Wilson, Mrs Joanne Davies, Mrs Stephanie Sweeney, Mr Martin Bannister, Mrs Aislinn Marek

Resources Committee

This committee focuses on Finance, including the setting the budget; HR, including Staffing Structure; Buildings and Health and Safety.

Chair: Mr Jonathan Walsh

Members: Mr Graham Johnson, Mr Martin Hayes, Mrs Joanne Davies, Mr Greg Brett, Mrs Caroline Carlon, Mr Malembe Makawa

Fr Paul Cannon (Foundation governor)

I have been a Foundation Governor of Our Lady of Lourdes R C Primary School and Guardian Angels R C Primary School since taking up my appointment as the Parish Priest of the Parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel and Guardian Angels in September 1996. I was ordained as a priest for Salford Diocese in 1982 in my home parish of St Mary's, Bacup. My first appointment was to the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Langley, Middleton where I was an assistant priest for 5 years. I was then asked to work as part of the team at the Catholic Missionary Society (CMS) based in London. The CMS were a national team working through the whole of England and Wales, helping parishes to reflect upon their mission, and also involving training of youth workers and parishioners in the area of how to reach out to people with the gospel message. After 4 years as a team member and 3 years as the Director of the CMS, I was given a sabbatical year, which was spent in Chicago, living in a large parish and attending Loyola University where I was awarded my Master Degree in Adult Religious Education. I returned from Chicago to take up my appointment at Guardian Angels. In 2018 I was asked to take responsibility for St Hilda’s Parish, Tottington. As Parish Priest of both parishes, I serve on two other Governing bodies: St Gabriel's High School and Holly Mount R C Primary School. In September 2021 the Governing bodies of Our Lady of Lourdes and Guardian Angels formally federated, forming one Governing body with responsibility for both schools. I hope that having been involved in one way or another in education for most of my life (either my own or in various capacities), I am able to bring some experience and knowledge, and also to be a bridge between the four schools I serve as an ex officio foundation governor and as a priest.

Jo Davies (Executive Headteacher)
I am the very proud Executive Headteacher of Guardian Angels’ and Our Lady of Lourdes RCPS and I have been doing this role now since September 2017. Prior to this appointment, I have taught in Rochdale and Oldham before being appointed as the Deputy Headteacher at Our Lady of Lourdes in January 2004, then becoming the Headteacher in March 2015.
I have two children who have both attended Our Lady of Lourdes RCPS and I am an active member of Guardian Angles’ parish.
I feel very lucky to be a part of the Guardian Angels’ and Our Lady of Lourdes communities. We have wonderful children, staff, parents and governors who all work hard together to give our children an excellent education.

Jonathan Walsh (Foundation governor)
Jonathan has been involved with the support of Catholic education as a governor with over 20 years of experience in this role. His background is not in the education sector but has been responsible for project developments that require the input of a range of diverse team members with multiple disciplines with a strategic goal.
Jonathan is a microbiologist and received his PhD in Microbial Culture Media development. Jonathan is the lead Scientist for 3M Europe, Middle East and Africa and works within the 3M Healthcare and the Food Safety Division. He has a number of scientific publications and has been a key speaker for a range of expert organizations including the World Bank, Global Brand Management organization, and the Food Division of the European Union Group. He has been a foundation governor for 22 years and is currently the Chair of Governors of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School in Bury.

Stephanie Sweeney (Foundation governor)
My name is Stephanie Sweeney and I have been a foundation governor since September 2016. I am a member of the curriculum committee.
I worked as a nurse for 24 years in various roles from surgical nursing to palliative care before deciding on a new challenge. I completed a degree in Theology and Religious Studies with Identity Studies and then continued studying and gained a Master’s degree in Theology and Religious Studies. This led to a career change and I have subsequently become a secondary school teacher in a Roman Catholic High school in Lancashire. I have also had the opportunity to complete the Catholic Teaching Certificate. This has helped me understand the importance of the Catholic Ethos of our schools.
I live in the local area and my daughter attended St Gabriel’s Roman Catholic High School. I am an active member of Guardian Angels Parish and sing in the choir at Mass.
I want to help the pupils at Guardian Angels’ Our Lady of Lourdes achieve their potential in a happy, safe environment and also ensure the wellbeing of the staff.

David Jackson (Foundation governor)

I have been a Governor of Guardian Angels Primary School for a number of years. I initially started as a parent governor and served for the full-term and. Fr Paul asked me to be a Foundation governor following this.
As a Family, we moved into the Parish in December 1992 - both of our boys attended the school and have gone on to attend St Gabriel's and Holy Cross and Bury College pursuing their own career paths.
I am a Service Manager in Cafcass representing children in the Family Courts - I am also the Parish Safeguarding representative. I have several hobbies, playing Rugby for Bury Rugby Club, where I am also the licensee for the Sports Club. I enjoy all outdoor pursuits, walking, climbing, water skiing and many more. Since being in the parish I have become an active member of the church community I am a Eucharistic Minister and a reader at mass.
Leading up to the Federation of the two schools I was the Chairperson for Guardian Angels' School and it is a privilege to nominated to Chair the Governing body for the newly federated school.

Martin Hayes (Foundation governor)
I’m Martin Hayes and I am a foundation governor on the combined Guardian Angels and Our Lady of Lourdes governing body. All my three children attended Our Lady of Lourdes
and I know they received an excellent education and made friendships which have lasted many years.
I was a governor at Our Lady’s in the past before standing down because of work commitments. I was also for a time a governor on the governing body at Woodbank Primary School.
I was a solicitor by profession but retired from full time practice in March 2015.
I was elected to Bury Council as a councillor for Elton ward in May 2018 and in my role as a councillor have spoken to residents in all parts of Elton ward and helped many of the residents with their problems. I am on the Council’s planning and audit committees plus the health scrutiny committee, standards committee and youth cabinet. I am a member of a number of local community groups.
I am an active member of the Labour Party in both Elton ward and Bury North and have campaigned on many issues affecting the people of our area and in particular tried to help maintain the excellent education service provided by Bury M.B.C.
I am a committed member of Guardian Angels parish, Elton and am part of the reading and welcoming ministries.
I see my role as a governor as one of holding the staff to account to make sure the current high standards of education are maintained and acting as an advocate for the school in the wider community.

Greg Brett (Foundation governor) I was a pupil at Guardian Angels for all of my primary school education and have many happy memories of that time. I was later married at Guardian Angels by Father Paul in 1998 and my first child was baptised there too. Since 1999 I have been a member of the Parish of St Hilda’s, merging with Guardian Angels in 2018. I am a Civil Engineer and work on construction projects to improve our infrastructure here in the North West. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and hill walking in the Lakes and Scotland. It’s great to be a governor at my old primary school, of which I have many happy memories and of Our Lady of Lourdes. Martyn Bannister (Foundation governor) As a child I attended both Our Lady of Lourdes and Guardian Angels. I am a foundation Governor and usually go to mass at either St Hilda's or Guardian Angels. I have a degree in Criminology and after leaving University I worked for a high street bank for a year before joining Greater Manchester Police. I have been with GMP for 20 years and have been based at Bury for the last 6 years. Whilst at Bury I have worked as a Response Sergeant, a Neighbourhood Sergeant and am currently the Tutor Unit Sergeant.

Malembe Makawa (Associate governor)
I am a parishioner at Guardian Angels’ and Saint Hilda’s and together with my family, we enjoy being part of the Parish community. Two of my children have been students at Guardian Angels’ RC Primary School where I have been a Foundation Governor for some years. I have been part of the Governing Body that oversaw the formation of the Federation of OLOL and GA Roman Catholic Schools. I work in Community Safety Service with the Local Authority and I am also a Reservist with the Royal Air Force.
Katherine Wilson (Staff governor) My name is Katherine Wilson and I was first appointed as a Newly Qualified Teacher at Guardian Angels' in 2017. I am the Year 6 Class Teacher and SENco at Guardian Angels’ RC Primary School. I am very proud to be part of the Guardian Angels' Family and it is a privilege to work alongside such a supportive team across both schools. I look forward to working with the federation of Guardian Angels and Our Lady of Lourdes to support the schools in continuing to provide our children with an excellent education and the skills that are essential in the wider world. I understand the importance of maintaining strong links between Guardian Angels and Our Lady of Lourdes, the Federated Governing body and the Parish of Guardian Angels'.
Our shared mission statement of following in the footsteps of Jesus to love, learn and grow is centred at the heart of everything that we do and with the previous responsibility of being the RE subject lead and as part of the school community, I strive to share the vision of both schools collaboratively with others and look for new and innovative ways to enhance every aspect of school life for all children.

Graham Johnson (OLOL Parent Governor)
I am Graham Johnson, I was elected as Parent Governor in September 2020 and re elected in 2021 onto the new Federation governing body. I have two Daughters, one of which attends Our Lady of Lourdes, the other is of pre school age and will hopefully attend in a few years.
My occupation is Collections Manager for a finance company, this is a position I have held for 17 years. My work involves managing people towards a common goal, managing key stakeholders and perspectives with the system I work within and working within a heavily regulated environment. My role is quite varied ranging from working with data to gain insight into problems, change management and managing team and individual performance. I have also continued my education into my adult life and completed a Post Graduate Certificate through the Open University.
In my spare time I enjoy days out with my family, watching movies and reading. I am a huge advocate of modern Technology and somehow the family IT help desk!
I am looking forward to contributing to the governing team and to the continuous improvement of both of our schools.

Aislinn Marek (GA Parent Governor)
I have been a parent governor at Guardian Angels since November 2017, and am delighted to be part of the federated governing body. I have two children, one of whom is currently at Guardian Angels (my eldest has now left to go to high school). I am passionate about the education and well-being of all our children, as well as the well-being of our staff, and the relationships between the schools and the wider community.
Professionally, I am a therapeutic counsellor, in private practice, and have a wealth of experience of working within the mental health and education sectors. I am honoured to be able to bring that knowledge and experience to the role of governor.

Caroline Carlon (LA governor)
I have been a governor at Our lady of Lourdes since 2015, I am the Local Authority governor, and sit on the Resource committee for the new federated governing body. I am also a parent of two children who love attending OLOL.
My day job is a School Business Manager at another primary school within the Bury area which gives me a great insight to the running of a school and allows me to bring my knowledge and experience to this role.
I am also an active member of the parish at Guardian Angels and help out within the Baptism team.