Governor Profile

The Head teacher of the school, in consultation with the Governors, is responsible for the internal organisation and management of the school. The Governing Body meets on a regular basis and has a range of responsibilities for the school. One Governor is appointed by the Local Education Authority (LEA) and Foundation Governors are appointed by the Diocese. Parent and Staff Governors are elected.

	Monica Walczak - Chair of Governors - Foundation Governor Monica is a retired Headteacher having served schools in Salford Diocese for over 25 years and prior to that, 15 years in community schools across Rochdale teaching in both the primary and secondary sector. During this service, Monica was appointed as an Executive Headteacher, supporting Catholic Education across the Diocese and was a National Leader of Education, working on behalf of the DfE and National College for Education supporting schools in challenging circumstances. In the last three years of her teaching career, Monica was privileged to work with Salford Diocese to establish the first Catholic Academy Trust in Salford Diocese, St Teresa of Calcutta. Since retiring Monica continues to support the development of serving teachers as a tutor and facilitator for Best Practice delivering the National Professional Qualifications for middle leaders, senior leaders and headteachers. Monica is passionate about promoting Catholic Education and is an Advocate for the National School of Formation, a group of Headteachers and Governors committed to the education and formation of our young people to find their God given gifts for the world and have the knowledge, skills and wisdom to know when and how to use them. Her other passion is music, and as well as singing with a local choir, Monica is also a Trustee of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.
	Natalia Atkinson - Parent Governor (Safeguarding) Information to follow.
	JULIE TOPHAM - Staff Governor Julie is a former pupil of St. Charles. she is married with three children who also attended the school. She has worked as a Teaching Assistant for 18 years at the school , with the last 12 years being in the EYFS classroom. She is passionate about all children finding a love of reading and can often be seen reading or tidying the school library. Her other roles in school consist of being the Volunteer and Placement Supervisor and she has an active part in the GIFT team leadership. Most of the children know she enjoys knitting and mending broken items.
	JASON TAYLOR - Local Authority Governor Jason is a local resident and has a daughter who currently attends the school. His wife’s family have lived in Rishton throughout their lives, with many having had their own past links with the school, having either been former students or former members of staff - most notably, the late Sheila Cookson.   Jason is a serving police officer in Lancashire Constabulary’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and currently works within the Child Protection function at East Division. As a result of Jason’s public service, he was selected as our Local Authority Governor in 2023.   The main priority within Jason’s day job is to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, and with the safeguarding of children his primary responsibility, this naturally led to him taking on the role of our Safeguarding Lead in September 2024.
	GERRARD HEGINBOTTOM - FOUNDATION Governor Ged is an experienced school governor. he is currently a school governor at Holy Rosary RC primary school in Oldham and has been vice chair there for the last 7 years. Ged has recently retired after spending over 30 years in the transport industry, the majority of which at Transport for Greater Manchester. Ged is married and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. he is active in his local parish and is chair of the finance committee. Ged has a passion for sport particularly football and cricket and is also a keen walker. He enjoys his role as a governor and is grateful to have the opportunity to give back to schools and the diocese for the education he received and the life skills he learned alongside the friends he made.
	Mary Pollard - Foundation Governor Mary until retirement was an employee of Marks and Spencer with main responsibilities for administration and finance. She is an established governor who believes that schools should educate, support and develop the whole person. Mary is married and has two sons who are both ex pupils of St Charles and her grandson is a current pupil. As a parishioner of St Charles Church Mary has always supported the Catholic life of the school including being a former parent helper within school. She also serves the local community by being a member of Rishton and Great Harwood Soroptimists.
	kay hinksman -  information to follow
	FR. ETHELBERT ARUA - PARISH PRIEST information to follow
	JEMMA STUTTARD - EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER jemma is our Executive Headteacher and also Headteacher at St John Southworth RC Primary, a Voluntary Academy. Havng over 20 years experience in Catholic education within Salford Diocese, Jemma is excited by the challenge that the role brings. Jemma is a Catholic Schools Inspector and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Governing Board and the school.  Jemma is looking forward to the next step on St Charles school's journey.
	Suzanne Lord - Head of school suzanne joined St. Charles' in january 2023 as deputy headteacher and senco. most recently, suzanne was promoted to head of school in september 2024. suzanne has been teaching for over 14 years, prEdominatEly in ks1 and eyfs. suzanne has also been a school senco for 12 years having completed the national award for special educational needs in 2014. Suzanne is currently studying for a national professional qualification in headship. having lived in rishton all of her life and having previously attended st. charles as a young child, she is passionate about the education of all of our pupils and relishes the opportunity to lead at a school which holds so many personal memories.

Statutory Governor Information

Name	Appointed From	Appointed To	Appointing Body	Register of Interests
RACHAEL GAVIN	DEC-20	RESIGNED JULY 2023	STAFF - STAFF GOVERNOR	TEACHER AT ST. CHARLES
ELIZABETH RAMSAY	JAN-21	RESIGNED NOVEMBER 2023	SALFORD DIOCESE - FOUNDATION GOVERNOR	PARENT OF PUPIL
JOANNA RUTTER	JUN-21	JUN-25	SALFORD DIOCESE - FOUNDATION GOVERNOR	NO INTERESTS DECLARED
NATALIA ATKINSON	FEB-22	JAN-26	PARENTS - PARENT GOVERNOR	PARENT OF PUPIL
MONICA WALCZAK	FEB-22	NOV-26	SALFORD DIOCESE - FOUNDATION GOVERNOR	NO INTERESTS DECLARED
PETER HIRD	MAY-22	RESIGNED AUGUST 2023	GOVERNING BODY - LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR	PARENT OF PUPIL. DFE EMPLOYEE
Mary Pollard	Sep-22	Sep-26	Salford Diocese - Foundation Governor	No Interests Declared
Zelma Bartley	Nov-22	Nov-26	Parents - Parent Governor	Parent and Grandparent of pupils
fr. ethelbert arua	dec-22	until further notice	ex-officio governor - parish priest	no interests declared
JULIE TOPHAM	OCT-23	NOV-26	STAFF - STAFF GOVERNOR	NO INTERESTS DECLARED
GERRARD HEGINBOTTOM	NOV-23	NOV-27	SALFORD DIOCESE - FOUNDATION GOVERNOR	GOVERNOR AT HOLY ROSARY, OLDHAM
JASON TAYLOR	DEC-23	DEC-27	GOVERNING BODY - LOCAL AUTHORITY GOVERNOR	PARENT OF PUPIL
PATRICK KENNEDY	JAN-19	UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE	EX-OFFICIO - HEAD TEACHER	DIRECTOR OF KENNEDY HORIZONS LTD. AND GOVERNOR AT ST. PETER'S R. C PRIMARY SCHOOL, NEWCHURCH

Meeting Attendance 2023/24 Academic Year