St Francis Catholic Primary School, Morley

Governing Body

Mrs Angela Walker

Foundation Governor (Chair)

I was born in Leeds and has lived and attended various churches in South Leeds for over 50 years, for the past 32 years attending St Bridget’s Churwell and St Francis Morley since the reorganisation of the parish.

I was the Child Protection representative at St Bridget’s and also Eucharistic Minister and reader, which she has continued at St Francis. I also volunteers at the newly formed St Francis Youth Group.

I am a qualified Social Worker and have the MSc in Leadership and Management having managed Social Care Services for both Leeds and Bradford Local Authority.

However, I originally trained as a teacher and moved into social work working with disadvantaged children in care and working closely with schools, moving into the management of services and over 250 staff. I have experience in managing finance, recruitment, training , Safeguarding , performance management, dealing with complaints and Ofsted. I was also once a Governor at Yorkshire Martyrs’ Catholic College, Tong for 16 years first as a Parent Governor and then as a Foundation governor and was involved in all aspects of school life.

I decided to take early retirement but I am very much still committed to Catholic Education and to the children of St Francis. I am the Governor that has responsibility of Safeguarding and Child Protection and listen to children read in school on a regular basis.

Mrs A Lewis

Foundation Governor

I was baptised at Saint Francis Church and have been an active member of the community since. I am currently Group Vice Principal at Luminate Education Group, which delivers provision from 14 to 90 at all levels up to level 7, giving me broad cross sector experience. After initially training to work in healthcare, I quickly realised that education was my passion, as a qualified experienced teacher have worked in Leeds for 35 years from teaching to executive leadership roles. Currently I have responsibility for all adult learning and executive leadership for Harrogate College. This gives me broad experience of all aspects of education leadership particularly change management. I represent the organisation on boards in the city, and was privileged to have past experience as an education consultant for an EU commission project giving me the chance to visit and look at alternative education models in 8 European countries. I have been involved in governance for a Cooperative Trust that converted to a MAT for many years, with 7 primary schools and 1 secondary school, and a Primary School governor for 4 years. It is a privilege to have seen outstanding education experiences from early years to higher education.

I am proud to be a governor at St Francis, the school I attended when it had only just opened 60 years ago!

Mr P Armitage

Parent Governor

I am immensely proud to serve as a Parent Governor of St Francis, with the added perspective of having my eldest child currently enrolled here, allowing me to understand the current needs and concerns of both parents and students. Drawing from my experience working in a successful local recruitment agency, I bring a different skill set to the table, which I believe can be valuable in supporting the school's growth and development. Furthermore, my strong Catholic background deeply resonates with the ethos of our institution, and I am committed to upholding and promoting these values in my role as a Governor.

Together with the dedicated team of educators, administrators, and fellow Governors, I look forward to contributing to the ongoing success and positive learning experience for all our students. It is an honour to be part of this community and play a role in shaping the future of our school.

Mr A McLaughlin

Foundation Governor

I have been attending St Francis’ church since I moved to Morley in 2016. After previously attending St Urbans church, Meanwood for many years before. Growing up in Ireland, in a Catholic household, I have an engrained understanding of the catholic faith.

I previously worked at Corpus Christi Catholic College for 8 years as a cover supervisor so I have an understanding of the educational system and incorporating the catholic faith into everyday school life.

My pastimes include football and spending time with my family.

Mrs H Rees

Foundation Governor

I have been attending St Francis Church since I moved to Morley in 2017. I previously attended Christ The King Church Bramley, this was the parish I grew up in, was married in and had my 2 children Baptised.

I graduated from Trinity and all Saints college Leeds in 1993 and have been teaching in Catholic schools within our diocese since then, 22 of those years being the SEND coordinator.

I am now Head of School at Holy Family Catholic Primary School where it is my mission to support our children and families develop their journey in faith and understanding of the Gospel messages through Catholic Life and Mission, Collective Worship and Religious Teaching. I am privileged to be a Foundation Governor at St Francis Catholic Primary School and hope I will be able to share my experience of working in catholic schools to support children, families and staff.

My pastimes include walking my dog and spending time with my family.

Mrs Sara Cubitt

Foundation Governor (Vice-Chair)

I serve as a foundation governor representative for St Francis and keen to take on this role as part of being actively involved in the education and wider school life of my children and all other children who attend St Francis.

My daughters both attend St Francis and have done since nursery – they both love school and myself and my husband are really pleased with the lovely community feel of the school and the standards of behaviour and education. As a governor I am committed to helping maintain these standards and also to ensuring with other governors that the school operates as it should. I work in HR in the public sector and feel that the skills I have developed in my professional life can be utilised in my role as governor.

As a practising Catholic, I am also keen to ensure that the school’s mission statement (“together in truth and faith we learn and grow as God’s family”) is at the heart of the work that the governing body does.

Canon John Galvin

Foundation Governor

I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire 1949 and educated in local and church schools.

I entered Ushaw College 1969 and was ordained a priest June 1974.

I have worked in various parishes of The Roman Catholic Diocese of Leeds since my ordination.

I am Dean of Leeds South & West 2007 to 2017, Canon of the Cathedral chapter and a member of the College of Consultors.

Mrs Edwina Foley

Local Authority Governor

It is an honour to be serve as the Local Authority Governor for St Francis. Both my children attend / have attended St. Francis School and I have been so pleased with the level of education and care that they receive there. I see my role as a governor to be a combination of challenge and support to the Senior Leadership Team of the school with the ultimate aim of continuing to offer our children with excellent education within a supportive Catholic environment.

I have a strong interest in education. I work as a Science Teacher at a local Catholic Secondary School and also as an examiner for a GCSE Science exam board during the exam season.

When I have some free time, I enjoy playing netball and spending time with my family.

Mrs R Nicolson

Staff Governor

I have had the honour and privilege of working at St Francis Primary School as a member of the teaching staff. Already working in the school, I have first-hand experience of the education system and knowledge of teaching and learning, and I am committed to ensuring every child receives the very best education.

As a member of the governing body, I am passionate about ensuring that the provision and education of each and every child is the best it can possibly be, working hard to ensure that we achieve high standards of educational achievement, allowing every child to reach their full potential whilst attending St Francis.

I hope my previous experience in Computing and Finance will assist in my role as staff Governor.

Mrs C Broadwith

Parent Governor

I am proud to be a parent Governor at St Francis and contribute to the school in that role. My son attends St Francis and I am happy to participate in making key decisions about the school. I really love the St Francis community and already feel part of the family within the Governing Body.

As I work full time in a strategic procurement role within the public sector, I really feel this helps me make a valuable addition to challenging the senior leadership team of the school in particular areas; so that they continue to maintain the high standards that they continue to deliver.

As an Irish Catholic I am keen to ensure that the faith is at the forefront of the children’s education and I believe that being a parent Governor helps support this.

Mrs K Cunningham

Foundation Governor

I serve as a foundation governor representative for St Francis. I was keen to take this role as I feel I would like to help ensure that the children who attend St Francis receive a good education and form good lasting ties with the church.

I moved to Leeds, from Surrey in 1993, to attend Trinity and All Saints University, where I studied for a teaching and science degree. I have been teaching in primary schools across West Yorkshire since 1997 in all year groups and including teaching children with all types of special educational needs. My three children and my nephews all attended St Francis, and therefore I have been involved with the community for twenty years.

I love my role as catechist at Church, this gives me the chance to prepare the children for their sacraments and get to know them and their parents a little better. I regularly attend Mass and would love to deepen the bonds between school and church.

In my free time, I like to travel with my children and we enjoy exploring new places usually on our bikes or walking.