Governors play a vital role in ensuring the best possible education for every child by creating robust accountability for school leaders (DfE 2015). They have a strong focus on four core strategic functions
- Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
- Holding the leaders 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
- Ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard
The full Governing Body meets every term. In addition, there are two committees, which meet in advance of the full governing body for more detailed discussions and to review policy documents. They are
- Curriculum and Standards
- Resources
The Governing Body is comprised of 12 members and the composition is as follows
- One Ex Officio (Headteacher)
- One staff member elected by school staff
- One appointed by the Local Authority
- Two elected by parents of the school
- Seven Foundation governors appointed by the London Diocesan Board for Schools and the Sponsoring Parish Churches.
Contact the Chair of Governors
If you wish to contact the chair of governors, please email info@smsp.richmond.sch.uk or leave a letter in a sealed envelope, with the clerk to the governors, Allison Peach, in the school office.
Governors’ Documents: Declarations of Interest GB 2024-25 | Privacy Notice for Governors | Schools Financial Benchmarking | Governor Code of Conduct
Governors’ Reports: Reading, Mathematics, Science, SEND, R.E., PE, School Vision, Early Years Provision
Current Governors
Mary Hawes
Chair of Governors
SMSC & RE Governor
Committees:
Curriculum and Standards, Steering Group, Staff and Pupil Disciplinary, Leadership Pay Panel, Complaints Panel
Appointed:
September 2015
Phil Giesler
Vice-Chair of Governors
LEA Governor
SEN Governor
Maths Governor
Committees:
Resources
Re-Appointed:
September 2024
Helen Swain
Headteacher
Committees:
Resources, Curriculum and Standards, Steering Group, Admissions
Appointed:
September 2021
Simon Pedley
Foundation Governor
Committees:
Curriculum and Standards, Appeals Panel
Appointed:
October 2024
David Cloake
Vicar of St Mary with St Alban
Committees:
Resources, Looked After Children Link Governor, Relationship Education Link Governor
Appointed:
October 2023
Adam Willis
Foundation Governor
Appointed:
May 2025
Steven Alford
Foundation Governor
Premises, Health & Safety Link Governor
Committees:
Resources
Appointed:
December 2022
Matthew Young
Foundation Governor
Safeguarding Governor
Committees:
Resources
Appointed:
May 2023
Amicia Novak
Staff Governor
Committees:
Curriculum and Standards
Appointed:
November 2023
Basil Hassan
Parent Governor
Appointed:
May 2025
Lisa Bailey
Parent Governor
Early Years Link Governor
Committees:
Resources
Appointed:
October 2023
Justine Bateman
Deputy Headteacher
Associate Governor
Committees:
Resources, Curriculum and Standards
Appointed:
November 2014
Marie Richardson
Assistant Head
Associate Governor
Committees:
Curriculum and Standards
Appointed:
November 2014