Buller Avenue, Preston, Lancashire PR1 9QQ

01772 742351

St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary School

Nurturing hearts and minds

School Governors

Dr John Brennan  - Foundation Governor, Chair of Governors 

I am very much looking forward to being a Governor at St Mary Magdalen’s to support our school in helping all our children to reach their full potential. Through my career, and during school, college, and university, I have benefited from the experience of others who have provided good support and advice when required. I feel that as a Governor at St Mary Magdalen’s I’ll be able to repay some of that kindness by adding my experience to the Governing Board and hopefully for the benefit of our school. I have over 10 years experience of being a School Governor; 5 years as a Chair and 2 years as a Vice Chair. I have over 30 years experience of working in Industry, am currently a STEM Ambassador and have a voluntary role with the Institution of Engineering and Technology as a Professional Review Assessor. I have two wonderful daughters; one has just finished at Cardinal Newman College and the other is at All Hallows High School. Both have benefited from the superb Catholic schooling that exists within our Parish.
 

 Mr Gerald Collins - Foundation Governor     Vice Chair of Governors

I have lived in the parish for almost 40 years. My 3 children went to St. Mary Magdalen’s. I have been a Foundation Governor, appointed by the Archdiocese, for a little over 20 years.

I am a retired University Lecturer and currently help in High Schools, particularly All Hallows, with pupils taking GCSE Electronics.  

Currently I am Governor representative on the Lancashire Schools’ Forum. The Forum advises the council on matters relating to school funding and has certain decision making powers


 

 
 

Mr Dan Hogarth  - Parent Governor

I am now in my second term of office as parent governor after deciding I wanted to contribute more to the children of St Mary Magdalen's. I have a son currently in attendance at the school and my daughter is now at All Hallows'. 

I am employed by Lancashire County Council in ICT as a Business Relationship Manager. In this role I work with County Service leads to ensure that the technological support and development the County requires to run these services is effectively delivered. I support the school in E safety and the structure and purchase of hardware.

I have lived in Preston all my life and as a Proud Prestonian, I am happy to support both the school and its youngest citizens.  I enjoy personal IT projects in my spare time as well as playing and recording music I also enjoy cycling with my family.


Mr Tim Roberts - Foundation Governor

I was appointed a Foundation Governor at the school in December 2016 by the Archdiocese of Liverpool, and serve as a Eucharistic Minister in the parish. I am the governor responsible for safeguarding and governor training. I have worked in science education in Lancashire secondary schools for over 25 years, mostly within the Catholic sector, and my current role is physics subject leader at Hutton Grammar School. In my spare time I enjoy cycling, fell-walking and supporting Preston North End. My son and daughter both attended the school, and are now pupils at All Hallows.

I enjoy supporting Mrs McKinnon and her staff as they seek to strengthen further the academic and extra-curricular provision at our school, and I will continue to be an enthusiastic advocate for the flourishing spiritual life the pupils of St Mary Magdalen’s are fortunate to enjoy. 


Mr Martin Gaughan - Foundation Governor

Martin Gaughan attended St Mary Magdalen's as a pupil and returned here as Year 6 teacher for several yearbefore leaving us in 2019 to take up his post as deputy headteacher at St Joseph's in Preston.  Mr Gaughan was keen to keep his strong links to the school in his home parish.

Mrs Adrienne Delaney - Foundation Governor

I was a pupil at St Mary Magdalen’s School many years ago and know many local families as I have lived here in Penwortham for much of my life.

I am married with five grown up children and four grandchildren. I have a grandchild at the school and one who left to go on to All Hallows last year. 

My interests have long been in education. I was a headteacher at St Ignatius Primary School in Preston up until last year, where I served the very diverse community very happily for 25 years. I still work for the Lancaster Diocese as a Religious Education Inspector. I

It is a great privilege to go into schools and meet children, staff and parents.  As a mum, grandma and ex-teacher I believe that we all share the same aim and that is to see that our children receive a happy and excellent education in a Catholic School.

I love to read, to travel and to enjoy my grandchildren at last! I feel that I am just as busy as ever I was!

I will endeavour to support the school and help ensure that it continues the journey towards the fulfilment of the Mission Statement, which is to “Let the light of Jesus shine through in all we think and say and do’


Mrs Debra Skeoch   -  LEA Governor

 

I was appointed LEA Governor at the school in November 2020.

I've lived in Penwortham for the majority of my life, attending St. Teresa's primary school and now live in the Parish of St. Mary Magdalene's. My 2 granddaughter's both attend the school .

I also work voluntarily in Reception Class one day per week.

My career as a teacher was spent in both Mainstream and Special schools in Preston, Leyland and Chorley for 28 years. I currently work for Hawthorn Education services on a part time basis working with vulnerable pupils throughout Lancashire. I've worked with vulnerable and challenging children from Primary to Secondary and gained valuable insight into ensuring all children get every opportunity available for them to be educated.

My interests include, football, cricket, gardening and spending valuable time with my family, going on holiday and making precious memories. 

It is a great privilege to be appointed a governor and to meet staff, pupils and parents. I believe that it is a great opportunity to support the school and its close community ensuring that our aim is to ensure that all children receive a safe, happy and beneficial education.

 
 
Mrs Amy Campbell  - Foundation Governor
I became a governor in February 2023 after being approached by Fr Ian. I am a qualified early years teacher and work for the Lancashire Music Service delivering music lessons across a number of local schools. I have two children and my eldest will start St Mary Magdalen’s in 2023.I have a passion for teaching and music which I hope to share in my role as governor.
Mrs S Bradley  - Staff Governor
I have been a teacher at St Mary Magdalen's for many years in reception class. I also was instrumental in the school starting 'Mighty Mini's' , our amazing nursery with superheroes from 3 years old. In September 2023 I joined the Senior Leadership team as the EYFS representative. 
 
 

Mr M Ashworth  - Parent Governor

I am incredibly proud to be a parent governor a St Mary Magdalen's and I am looking forward to contributing towards my children’s education as best I can. I currently have two boys attending the school and another to follow. It is my firm belief that all children not just my own matter in education and that they are all individuals and should be encouraged to be so and to pursue their dreams and ambitions.

I have been a secondary school teacher for 8 years and I am currently the head of computing at Ashton Community Science College. I have a passion for teaching, gardening, and programming and hope to share these skills through my role as a school governor.

 

 Mrs E Doherty and Mrs E Montgomery        Clerks to committees

Mr C Delaney                                                Clerk to governors

Business Interests

None of our governors have any business interests in school. 

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Attendance at Meetings