Governing Board
I am married with 2 children and 3 grandchildren. I taught Science for 13 years in Catholic Secondary Schools but was retired on health grounds due to my limited mobility, having suffered life-changing injuries in a road traffic collision. I was immediately offered a job as the senior executive of a National Governing Body for cycle racing which, I held until my retirement in 2010.
I now have the time to attend daily mass, brew my own wine and beer, ride my hand-cycle, go on frequent holidays in the sun and cruising around the world. I have also started to learn the clarinet, as there are only so many crime novels you can read and crosswords to do, and have recently acquired a tropical fish tank – thought it might be easier than a dog; how wrong can you be!
I am a committed Catholic and see St. Joseph’s School as an integral and important part of the parish. I therefore feel it is a great honour and privilege to be able to assist the pupils and staff in reaching their full potential.
My name is Trish Kiernan and I am proud to have been invited to be a Governor at St Joseph’s Primary School. Many years ago I was a pupil here when the boys and girls schools were separate. I am married with two adult children and live in the parish. I have recently retired after working in a number of Pastoral Roles in various schools. In my spare time I enjoy walking, cooking, baking and crafting. I am looking forward to using these skills in school.
I have been a governor at St Joseph’s for over 14 and love being a part of the school. I am an Accountant and work locally so understand the financial pressures on schools and our families and want to help where I can. It is important to me that our children receive the best possible education at St Josephs and leave with the best chance of taking that as far as possible in the next phase of their school journey. It is equally important that they all become the kindest and most caring people we can help them to be.
Hi, my name is Johanne Daniel and from September this year (2023) I will be an Associate Member to the Governing Board focusing on Governor training and Data Standards.
I have also spent time as a Parent Governor (seven years) and Foundation Governor (one year). My two children both previously attended St Joseph’s school with one now at college and the other at St Mary’s High School.
Why did I volunteer to be a Governor? I worked for the NHS in Business Intelligence / Data Management for 20 years (it was far more interesting than it sounds!) and I wanted to use the skills I had gained after taking redundancy, so volunteering seemed like a great idea. I have learned so much from being a school governor and would encourage everyone to consider the role – it is challenging but so rewarding. I truly want the best for the children that attend St. Joseph’s because they all deserve to have a wonderful primary school experience.
I have been a teacher at St Joseph’s for 25 years now and I am very proud to have been elected staff governor. In my time at St Joseph’s I have worked in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 and I am currently a Year 3 teacher and a senior leader with responsibility for Religious Education and Science.
I live with my husband, my children and my small dog. I love to spend time with my family, walking, travelling and going to concerts.
St Joseph’s is very special to me and I care passionately about the children. I am looking forward to working with the governing body to help all children become successful learners, have a firm foundation in the Catholic Faith and a strong belief in themselves.
Hi my name is Andy Heald. I have been a Parent Governor at St Josephs for the past five years and currently have one child attending St Joseph's school and two now at high school.
I decided to become a School Governor for two reasons - one to offer my support to ensure I was doing all I can to ensure my own children and all the children of St Joseph’s get the best possible education and start in life and two, I have a strong dedication and passion for education and love the challenge of being a school governor offering my expertise and guidance whilst still embracing the learning and development that the role provides.
I am a local businessman and operate currently as a national physical education consultant.
Outside of my professional roles i love to participate in sport and lead an active lifestyle, playing and coaching football for local teams and generally keeping fit and active.
My name is Susan Jones and I have been a governor at St Joseph’s for 2 years now. A new experience for me!
I enjoy most of the things being a governor involves mainly class activities, class masses, assemblies etc all involving the children. The technology not so much!
I love books and reading having worked in libraries prior to retirement . I have 9 grandchildren scattered all over the UK and love to spend time with them.
I attend mass at St Joseph’s church every Sunday and think it is important to foster the link between school and parish as much as possible .
My name is Sheila Ashcroft and I have been a Foundation Governor at St Joseph's for approximately two years. I have lived in Leigh all my life and have two adult children. I retired a few years ago but still do a few days a month in a care setting which I really enjoy. I attend St Joseph's Church regularly where I volunteer as a reader, I have also helped in the past preparing children for the sacrament of reconciliation. I have three grandchildren who have all attended St Joseph's School and the youngest has recently just joining Year 2. I hope I can bring my caring and social skills to help the happy, confident development of all the pupils.
Nigel Cooke - Parent Governor
Hi, I’m Nigel Cooke, and have been recently elected as a Parent Governor.
With 2 boys in the St Joseph’s family, I hope my experience as a senior leader in local government, including management accountability and HR, can ensure that continued progress is made by the school, so all children develop and benefit from their own school experience.
