Governors (ID 1063)

• Mrs Linda Graham
  Chair of Governors
  Mrs Linda Graham

  Hello – my name is Linda and I joined the Board of Governors at St. Philip Howard School in July 2016 and was appointed Chair of Governors in September 2016. I am passionate about catholic education and the gospel values are very important to me and ones that I try to instil in the pupils I teach as a catechist in my parishes St. Peter’s and Marychurch, during preparation for their first Holy Communion.

  Schools should be a fun and an exciting place for learning and I believe it is important to ensure that all pupils receive the best teaching possible in a safe environment to enable them to reach their full potential.

  As part of my role as Chair of Governors I am in regular contact with the Head Teacher and am involved in all the Board of Governors Committee Meetings. I am also Link Governor for Key Stage 2.

• Mrs Kelly Price
  Chair of the Personnel & Wellbeing Committee and Vice Chair of our School of Governors.
  Mrs Kelly Price

  My name is Kelly Price, and I am the Chair of the Personnel & Wellbeing Committee and Vice Chair of our School of Governors.

  My three daughters have all attended St Philip Howard School so for me it is a real pleasure to work as part of the schools governing body.

  I have been involved with the school for some time in various roles and I also attended the school myself, so I certainly know a lot about the school.

  In my business life I am a Human Resources Professional (FCIPD) and have under my Governor duties been aligned to the school’s Personnel & Well-being Committee and I am the Link Governor for the Foundation Stage of the school.

• Mrs Cheryl Williams
  Foundation Governor
  Mrs Cheryl Williams

  Hello, I’m Cheryl – I joined the governing body as a Foundation Governor in September, 2009. I currently serve on the Admissions Committee and the Curriculum Committee and am the link Governor for Lower Key Stage 2.

  As a Foundation Governor, I feel honoured to be given the responsibility to preserve and develop the Catholic ethos of the School. I believe a close partnership, between parents and school, is key to creating a community that ensures ‘life in all its fullness’ for young children.

  I live and work locally, and, I spend a fair proportion of my working hours around adults and children of various ages.

• Father Innocent
  Foundation Governor
  Father Innocent

  My Name is Fr. Innocent Odiaka, I am the school chaplain and a member of the Board of Governors which I joined in November 2022. I count it a blessing to be part of this noble board which has offered me avenues of learning in a different set up and fuelled my passion for excellence through the dedication and dexterity of the Teachers and members of the Board of Governors .

  I am a firm believer that spiritual formation of pupils is essential for holistic education and human maturity. As such, being a chaplain has given me the avenue to contribute to the education of young ones especially through the celebration of the Holy Mass in the school and other avenues of interaction.

• Mrs Joanne Browne
  Foundation Governor
  Mrs Joanne Browne

  My name is Joanne Browne, and I am a Foundation governor.

  My three boys all attended St Philip Howard Primary School, currently, they attend Nicholas Breakspear Catholic Secondary School. During their time at SPH, they felt safe and happy at school, teachers provided them with the best education which prepared them well for secondary school.

  I am very passionate about Catholic education having worked within the Catholic sector for over 25 years. During my time in Catholic Education, I have had various roles including; class teacher, senior leader, and deputy headteacher. I was phase leader and class teacher at St Philip Howard Primary School for 8 years and like my boys, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the school. I left SPH in 2021 to pursue a career in an advisory role and currently, I am a Religious Education Advisor for the Diocese of Westminster.

  I am excited to be part of the St Philip Howard family once more and I look forward to meeting and working with all members of the SPH community.

• Mr John O'Driscoll
  Foundation Governor
  Mr John O'Driscoll

  My name is John O'Driscoll. I was appointed as a Parent Governor in November 2019.

  I feel priveledged that I have the chance to serve on the Finance and Premesis including Health and Sfaety Committee.

  I am a Cover Manager in a large secondary comprehensive school. So not only do I teach lessons, but I also work closely with the school's administration - particularly the finance team.

  My son attends St Philip Howard. I am delighted that the school educates well, but also values spiritual, moral, cultural and social development.

• Mrs Devleena Singh
  Parent Governor
  Mrs Devleena Singh

  My name is Devleena Singh. I was appointed as a Parent Governor in November 2019.

  As a Governor, I feel honoured that I have been given an opportunity to serve the Curriculum Committee, the Finance and Premises incl. H&S Committee. I also support the Special Educational Needs and Well Being Team.

  I hold a Masters Degree in Organisational Psychology from University of Hertfordshire. I have worked in the Banking sector in the past. Currently I work in Retail and Marketing industry.

  I have always worked in a team and learnt the value of team work and dignity of others. I am approachable and friendly. I am open to views and discussions .

  My Son attends St.Philip Howard Catholic Primary School. Like all parents, we all want the best for our children and I strongly believe Our School imparts knowledge not only through education but also through strong values, respect, discipline and culture of every member associated with School.

  As a Governor, I would take this opportunity to help and support the School in every way.

• Olaoluwa Olaosebikan
  Parent Governor
  Olaoluwa Olaosebikan

• Ms Vicki Laing
  Local Authority governor.
  Ms Vicki Laing

  My name is Vicki Laing and I am the Local Authority governor.

  My daughter and son have both attended St Philip Howard School and both currently attend Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School.

  During my time as a parent with children in the school I had been heavily involved in the Friends of St Philip Howard, having been Chair of the committee for over 10 years. During that time the Friends raised around £100,000 for the school through events and fundraising initiatives. In July 2021, when my daughter left Year 6, I stepped down from that position. I have worked closely with staff at the school and I can honestly say I would not have wanted my children to go anywhere else. The support and care has been outstanding and prepared them for life beyond primary school. It truly is a great school.

  In September 2021 I became a governor and hope that with the existing board of governors we can work with the staff to make St Philip Howard the best it can be. In my work life I am a Deputy Director of External Relations for the Royal Veterinary College working on alumni relations, events and community relations. I have a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies and HR and am a member of the Institute of Fundraising (MFInst). As well as being on the governing board my additional duties are being a member of the Personnel Committee and am a link governor for KS1.

  I look forward to meeting the current pupils, parents and the SPH community when the opportunity arises.

• Mrs Mairéad Waugh
  Headteacher
  Mrs Mairéad Waugh

  As Headteacher, I am a member of the governing body. With the governors, I help to set the strategic direction for the school. I update the full governing body termly through my Headteacher’s Report. The governors then act as, “critical friends.” They question and challenge what is happening within the school and how we can work together to achieve even greater success.

  I am a member of the Finance and Premises, Personnel and Curriculum Committee. I advise the Admissions Committee.

• Mrs Louise Field
  Staff Governor
  Mrs Louise Field

  I have been a teacher at St Philip Howard School for 16 years. In 2010, I became Assistant Headteacher and Special Needs Coordinator. Currently, I teach one day a week in Class 2B and spend my other days on management and special needs work. I was elected as the staff governor and work on the Curriculum Committee and I liase with the SEN Governor.

  Like other Governors, it is my role to assist in the strategic management of the school. However, it is also my responsibility to share the views and concerns of the staff as well as contibuting my professional knowledge and experience to the Governing Body.

• Gnassounou P Gontrand Nounagnon
  Associate Governor
  Gnassounou P Gontrand Nounagnon

  Greetings to all, my name is Gontrand and I am an Associate Governor appointed in January 2022. I am also a parent with 2 young children in the school. I am privileged to serve on the Finance, Premises, Health and Safety Committee. I am passionate about governance and Learning & Development, excited about the opportunity to support the wonderful work being done by the church, the governing body and the school leadership & staff at St Philip Howard Catholic School.

  I trained as a professional in Inclusive Finance & Project Management. My work involves supporting vulnerable children in the developing world, particularly in Africa, and their families and communities. I also sit in the board of Directors for a couple of financial institutions providing access to financial services to vulnerable people.

  I believe that school plays a crucial role in the development of children, only considering the time they spend there. And Covid has demonstrated this well. It is therefore important to ensure that their time in school is fun, with access to excellent education, in a safe environment to ensure their prosperous futures.
  
  Blessings