Our Governors

The role of the Governing Body

The DfE lists the three core functions of a governing body as:

Ensuring clarity of vision ethos and strategic direction
Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils and the performance management of staff
Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

St Philips Arundel – Governors’ Strategic Vision 2019-2024

Voluntary Aided Status

As governors of a voluntary aided school, the governors have additional responsibilities:

Admissions authority
Employer of staff
Raising the 10% shortfall in the capital expenditure budget allocated by the Local Authority

The Governing Body of St Philip’s is a vital component in the successful running of our school. This committee of dedicated volunteers is involved in decisions about all aspects of the school’s operation and management, such as the buildings and budgets, staff welfare and setting school standards and policies.

Governor vacancies are published within the school community whenever they arise.

Minutes for all Governor meetings are available upon request.

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Governor, please contact: Clerk to the Governors, via the office: 01903 882115.

Our Chair of Governors is Fiona Gardiner
Our Vice Chair of Governors is Faye Childerhouse
Our Clerk to Governors is Lesley-anne Scorgie

In addition to Full Governing Body Membership, every governor is a member of one of the two Committees; Teaching and Learning and Resources.

Teaching and Learning Membership

Fiona Gardiner – Chair
Faye Childerhouse – Vice Chair
Fiona Gardiner, Lucy Horne, Catherine Bradley, Clare Fecher, Fiona Burton and Mr Simon Banks.

The Teaching and Learning committee takes particular responsibility for the following areas:

Assessment, Curriculum, Pupil Welfare; Attendance and Behaviour, Special Needs, Gifted and Talented

Resources Membership:

Mr E. Moorhouse (Chair of Resources)

Mr Dan McNamarra

Pauline Allen

Carole de Silva

Lucy Horne.

The Resources Committee takes particular responsibility for the following areas:

Finance, Staffing, Premises, Health and Safety, Marketing , the Website General Resources including I.T.

Click on the names below to expand and find out a little bit more about each of our Governors

Lucy Horne - Headteacher, appointed September 2014

I am Mrs Lucy Horne and as Headteacher I sit on all the Governing Body Committees. The skills I bring to the Board are those of Professional Educational Leadership and a wide experience of other schools. I really enjoy working with the other Governors to ensure that the strategic direction for the school is clearly understood by all and that this impacts on the outcomes for all of the pupils, staff and wider community.

Edward Moorhouse - Foundation Governor, appointed in September 2022.

I am Edward Moorhouse and was honoured to be chosen to join St. Philip's as a Foundation Governor in September 2022. I have two daughters at the school and have been impressed by the leadership, teaching excellence and pastoral care shown by the Head and her team over the past four years, a period of uncertainty and turbulence owing to the pandemic.

Prior to moving to Slindon, I was a Royal Marine officer for 26 years, working and travelling extensively in a wide variety of roles, operationally, diplomatically and in training guise. On leaving the Corps and after completing an MBA in International Agribusiness, I now work for a UK ag-business, specialising in the development and delivery of low-carbon, sustainable, hi-tech horticultural projects in the UK and North America.

Daniel McNamara - Foundation Governor, appointed in September 2021

My name is Dan McNamara, I am delighted to have been appointed a Foundation Governor from September 2021. My children attend the school and every day I see the school’s mission to be a community inspired by Christ lived out. My work background is in charity business development and marketing, and I hope these skills can be put to good use in being a critical friend to St Philip’s leadership. With my family we worship at Bognor Regis & Slindon Catholic parish. ”.

Catherine Bradley - Foundation Governor, appointed in September 2021

I am Catherine Bradley and I am delighted to have been appointed as a foundation Governor for St Philip’s. I am member of the Parish community at Arundel Cathedral where I have been a welcomer and steward since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, my three older children are choristers. I have 5 children, the eldest finished year 6 in 2021 and I hope that my youngest will start in 2022. My children have enjoyed the learning opportunities, extra-curricular activities and caring family atmosphere at St Philip’s over the years and it is wonderful to watch them grow in knowledge and faith nurtured by the school.

I work as a psychiatrist at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester where I specialise in treating adults of working age, during my training I gained experience in addictions, social and forensic psychiatry as well as psychotherapy. Through my work I have experience in mental health law, child and adult safeguarding, clinical research, service development, recruitment and line management all which I feel have provided me with useful transferable skills for the role of school governor. I have recently trained as an accredited RSE educator which has enabled me to better understand the current government guidance on this as well as some of the challenges facing our young people.

Pauline Allen - Foundation Governor, appointed in September 2021

I am Mrs Pauline Allen MBE and I am very proud to say I was a pupil at St Philip’s. I am also involved with HomeStart, various other Trusts and the NSPCC, and serve on the boards of Ford Prison and the Immigration Detention Centre at Gatwick Airport. I am interested in all aspects of education and especially enjoy the direct contact with the children and seeing the excellent facilities and teaching on offer at St Philip’s.

Canon David Parmiter - Foundation Governor - appointed in January 2021

I am Canon David and I am a Foundation Governor at St Philip’s. Having studied at St. Bernadette’s and Cardinal Newman Schools in Brighton and Hove and then at Brighton Polytechnic I worked in Human Resources for East Sussex County Council. After a few years I discerned a call to be a Priest and completed my formation at the Venerable English College in Rome. I was ordained for this Diocese in 2003 and served in St. Joseph’s, Redhill, Our Lady of Ransom, Eastbourne, St. Dunstan’s, Woking. My first Parish as Parish Priest was St. Mary Magdalene’s, Bexhill, then St. Edmund’s, Godalming and now the Cathedral Parish. I have worked in schools as a Priest Chaplain and Governor both in primary and secondary schools, roles which I have and continue to enjoy very much. I look forward to continuing work with St. Philip’s both as Parish Priest and Governor.

Fiona Gardiner- Chair of Governors, appointed in September 2022

My name is Fiona Gardiner and I am the Local Authority Governor at St Philip’s. I have a daughter at St Philip’s and a daughter who attends St Philip Howard.

I work as a Solicitor practising mainly in Education and Employment law, advising schools and other clients around the County.

I feel honoured to have been appointed by the School and Local Authority to fulfil this Governor role. I hope to use my skills and professional knowledge to contribute to the effective governance of the School and support the Headteacher in delivering an outstanding school experience for the whole school community.

Fiona Burton - Staff Governor appointed in January 2024

My name is Fiona. I currently teach in Year 2. I lead Science and run the netball club. I joined the school in September 2023 and I am really looking forward to working with and being part of the Governing Body

Faye Childerhouse - Parent Governor, appointed in September 2018

I was appointed as a Parent Governor in 2018. I aim to bring an independent perspective to the workings of St Philip’s. My educational experience stems from being a mother of three. Prior to becoming a mother, I co-founded, managed and sold an edtech language learning company in partnership with a Trust at the University of Cambridge. I now consult for a global insurance company in London, and own a loose leaf tea shop in the center of Arundel.

I believe all children should cherish and enjoy learning in a safe and well managed primary school. We need to ensure children are emotionally balanced, have high aspirations and drive and become the very best they can be. I will utilize my skills to help St Philip’s continually improve.

Clare Fecher - Foundation Governor, appointed in July 2019

My name is Claire Fecher, appointed as a foundation Governor at St Philip’s in July 2019. I have over 40 years experience of teaching age groups from eight years through to adult. In addition to teaching in a school, I have recent experience of teaching adults with mental health issues and those in recovery from substance misuse. In addition I have provided additional support in literacy, numeracy and special needs in further education.

Our Lady of England Church, Storrington is my parish church where I am a Eucharistic Minister.

Carole deSilva - Associate Governor

I am the School Business Manager and have been in role since 2007. I look after the finances for the school and ensure the Governors know what money the school has in its budget and how this is used effectively. I am an Associate Governor on the Resources Committee only.

Mr Simon Banks - Parent Governor

My name is Simon Banks and I was appointed as a Parent Governor in 2023. I have lived in Arundel for many years and my two children attend St. Philip's. I have worked in the higher education sector throughout my career, in roles spanning research in teaching and education leadership. I am a scientist, which has led naturally to a passion for STEM education and my work has given me a particular background in academic governance and quality assurance. I look forward to working with the Governing Body and the rest of the school community.

GOVERNING BODY OF St Philip’s Catholic Primary School Our Governing Body consists of 12 members and operates with two committees

Click here for the Annual Governance Statement for the Governing Body

Click h ere for the attendance of Governors for the previous year

Click here for the St Philip’s ‘Instrument of Government’

Click here to find out more about becoming a Foundation Governor.

Click here to see the Governors Code of Conduct

Click here to see the Register of Business Interests