Chairperson

Mrs Jackie Price

I have had a link with St Martin’s for over ten years that began when I was clerk to the governing body whilst I was working for Sandwell Local Authority. It is a school that I feel is special, particularly because of its ethos and family feel.

I have been a governor in five different Sandwell schools over the past twenty years and am a resident of Sandwell and work in a Sandwell Church of England Primary School as a Business Manager.

After joining the governing body in September 2016, I was honoured and very proud to be elected as the Chair, It is my aim to ensure that the work of the governing body is effectively and efficiently carried out and I will endeavour to work with the governors and staff to support the school to enable our children and staff to be the best that they can be.

I am married with three grown up children and four wonderful school aged grandchildren and in my free time I enjoy various crafts and sport, although now I am a spectator rather than a participant.

Vice Chairperson and Parent Governor

 Miss Caroline Cherrington

My name is Caroline and I have been a parent at St Martins for 12 years. My two eldest have moved on to high school now, with my youngest still in attendance here.

I have many happy memories with my children at St Martins and love the family ethos that we have. I have had the privilege of being a parent governor and working alongside a fantastic team for many years now. I thoroughly enjoy being part of the team and being able to be an active support to the school. I take great delight in seeing how happy our children are in their learning and I am very proud at how polite they all are and their willingness to participate.

 

Foundation Governors

Reverend Allen Bower

My name is Allen and I am Vicar of the local church St Matthew’s Tipton. I have a number of years of engagement with church and non-church primary schools. I am passionate that church schools remain places of learning, creativity and formation for every member of our community. As a Foundation Governor I have a particular interest to work with the staff and other Governors in encouraging the Christian distinctiveness of St Martins school. I am married with two sons, I enjoy running, reading, community development and I am a long suffering Spurs fan

Mr Robert Whitehouse

Parent Governors

Claire Spooner

My name is Claire Spooner; I became a Co-Opted Governor at St Martins Primary School in October 2014, I am married and have 2 young boys who both attend St Martins Primary School. My background is 10 years working for training organisations helping young adults successfully complete their apprenticeships. For the past 3 years I have been building and expanding our Tipton based children’s nursery in which I’m part owner. As a governor it is my objective to work with the governing body, bringing my existing expertise and knowledge, to contribute to providing an excellent learning experience for all our pupils to enable them achieve their maximum potential. I am passionate and committed, about continuously improving standards within the school.

 

Kevin Cartmell

I relocated to the Tipton area in August 2014 I have been a governor since at St Martins. I am passionate about helping the school on its strategy to deliver an exceptional education to our pupils.

My background has primarily been in retail rather than in education but I find this just as rewarding.

I am interested in the use of technology to help slim line processes and I have a passion for most sports. One of my subjects that I have been allocated is PE.

I am a Christian and I am part of the church community at St Matthews.

 

Terri Griffiths

Local Authority Governor

Mrs Vicki Kavanagh

I was the head teacher of a thriving multi-cultural primary school in Sandwell, West Midlands for 11 years. The school was judged to be outstanding in September 2014, and during this time, developments in all aspects of school provision  allowed me to develop my own professionalism and to understand the key drivers in leading pupils to become outstanding learners.

More recently, I have been the Executive Head Teacher of a newly opened free school in Derby. Working for an academy, gave me invaluable experience of life outside a local authority, and being involved in developing a vision for a completely new school, allowed me to develop a new set of skills.

I am a Local Leader for Learning, ,and as a part of this role, I have successfully supported several schools requiring improvement or who have needed leadership  and curriculum support. I currently work for Lightwood’s Teaching Alliance in Sandwell to continue this role.

I have also recently worked as a School Improvement Adviser for the LA, allowing me to share and develop the best practice within my own school and in others I support. This has included representing the LA during Ofsted inspections.

I am also the Director of Smethwick Learning Community, which keeps me abreast of new educational developments and priorities.

My passion for developing creative and independent learners lies at the heart of my work, coupled with a relentless drive to allow staff and pupils to flourish and grow.

Areas of Expertise

• School strategic development.
• Using leadership and management tools effectively to drive up standards.
• School self- evaluation and school improvement planning.
• Data analysis and planning for future developments.
• Creative curriculum development
• Supporting independent and personalised learning.

Other relevant background information/experience

• I have held Literacy and Inclusion Leader posts.

• I have been a member of governing bodies for over 20 years.

• I was involved in a 3 year project known as Leaders for Learning ,which involved groups of school leaders from around the country being involved in specific school specific school improvement developments; my area of expertise was the thematic curriculum.

• Following the success of the project, I worked alongside LA officers to develop a thematic curriculum for Sandwell schools, delivering workshops for school clusters.

• As part of an LA network, I co- wrote a teaching and learning manual, which has been used successfully in my school and in other LA schools.

• I am part of the strategic management group for our local cluster of schools-soon to become its Learning Director.

• I am a head teacher mentor, and have been involved in all aspects of school provision as part of this role.

 

Co-opted Governor

Anita Pilsbury

My name is Anita Pilsbury, I am a non-teaching staff/Co-opted Governor.

I am also on the Curriculum committee. I am the Science and Attendance governor.

I am one of the Assistant Secretaries and a Lunchtime Supervisor.

I have worked at St. Martin’s for 14 years.

I enjoy both of the jobs.

My admin job involves booking the school meals, keeping record of the dinner money that the school receives, pupil attendance, and many other things.

My supervisor job involves supervising the pupils making sure they are happy and following school rules.

One of the reasons I enjoy working at St. Martin’s is because we are like one big family, every one cares about each other.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, going on walks and reading.

 

Co-opted Governor

Mrs Karen Ward

I am delighted to become a part of the St Martin’s governing body, as I am extremely enthusiastic about education and child development.

I am keen to contribute as effectively as I can to ensure there is a continuation of the vision and ethos of the school, and to establish a good working relationship with the other governors, and to act in the best interests of both the pupils and the school.

During my own working life I have had the opportunity to work in staff training, and more recently, have worked with a company preparing young teenagers in secondary schools for their role at interview.

In my spare time I enjoy Yoga, Pilates, and swimming, and in addition, reading, ballet, technology and travelling.

 

Staff Governor

Mrs S Beckett

Headteacher Governor

Sarah Bott

I have been Headteacher of St Martin’s CE Primary since September 2007. I enjoy my job and feel very proud of the friendly, happy, caring ethos of our school. St Martin’s is very well supported by the members of the Governing Body. We are a positive team who work hard to ensure the best outcomes for our pupils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Information regarding Structure and remit of the Governing Body

Additional Governor Information

Clerk to the Governors

Mrs J Bristowe

Governor Services

SIPS Education