What do Governors Do?

The Governing Body has a range of duties and powers and a general responsibility to oversee the strategic direction of the school and maintain its ethos.

St Francis of Assisi Governor Committee Membership 2023-24

Chair of Governors: Mrs Sue Faulkner

 Mr Sean Herbert

 Mr Chris Harrison

 

Staff Governor: Mrs Vicki Flack

 

Vice-Chair : Mrs Ana Andrade

 

Foundation Governor: Mrs Rhea Fernandes

 

Parent Governor: Dr Paul Quinn

 Foundation Governor: Father Peter Ojiaku

 

The types of governors are defined as below:

• Parent Governor. Parents, including carers, of pupils at the school are eligible to stand for election as governors, and are elected by other parents at the school.
• Foundation Governor. Foundation Governors are appointed by the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton and have a particular duty of care to preserve the Catholic ethos of the school.
• Local Authority Governors. The constitution of the governing body at St. Francis requires one governor to be appointed by the Local Authority.
• Staff Governors. Staff Governors may come from the ranks of both teaching and support staff, and are elected by the staff.

The Full Governing Body is collectively responsible for policies and decisions. They do, however, delegate specific responsibility to sub-committees to report to the Full Governing Body. Each Governor is linked to a Curriculum Subject Area. 

If you would like to contact the governors please email the Clerk:  clerk@stfrancisassisi.org.uk

The Full Governing Body meets half termly and the Resources Committee meets termly.  The committee members are as follows:

Resources Committee – incorporates HR, Finance and Heath & Safety

Membership - Vicki Flack, Chris Harrison, Paul Quinn, Ana Andrade, Sue Faulkner, Rhea Fernandes, Sean Herbert, Samantha Winton 

Full Governing Body – incorporates Curriculum and Catholic Ethos and Spirituality

Committee Membership: Vicki Flack, Chris Harrison, Paul Quinn, Father Peter Ojiaku, Ana Andrade, Sue Faulkner,  Rhea Fernandes, Sean Herbert, Samantha Winton

 

Governors’ Background

Mr Sean Herbert 

I was first elected as a Parent Governor in February 2019 before being made a Foundation governor in February 2021. Two of our children have “graduated” from St Francis with one daughter remaining. All of our children and nephews and nieces have all been all very enthusiastic about the school which has provided them with a good and happy period of education. I’m passionate about this continuing and supporting the school to take it to the next level. We are practising Catholics attending mass at either the Friary, St Bernadette’s or St Edward’s.

My partner, Nicki, is a previous Chair and current member of the PFA and we both help out at various organised events. I have worked for a major UK bank for over 36 years, leading a team in our London office but with the ability to work remotely which has allowed me to devote more time to the school and give something back to the community.

I am currently the link governor for Pupil Premium / Disadvantaged pupils and Leadership and Management.

 

Mrs Sue Faulkner 

I have been a Foundation Governor at St Francis of Assisi for the past eight years. My areas of responsibility include: Safeguarding, Special Educational Needs and Disability and Religious Education. I am also the HR governor.

Before retirement I was a primary head teacher for over twenty years working in Catholic Primary Schools in West Sussex and Tower Hamlets. I also worked in further education and in higher education in initial teacher training. I was an associate lecturer for the Open University teaching on professional courses for teachers and the Masters in Education Programme for Leadership and Management. Following retirement I provided mentoring and coaching support for head teachers in the Diocese.

I am an active member of the Catholic Parish of Our Lady and St Peter in East Grinstead where I am a Eucharistic Minister, Welcomer, Bereavement supporter and member of the SVP.

I am married and have four adult children and seven grandchildren.

I am passionate about Catholic Education and feel that it is both a privilege and a rewarding experience to serve the community of St Francis of Assisi as a Foundation Governor.

 

Mr Chris Harrison 

“ I was elected as a parent governor in October 2021 and appointed vice-chair in September 2022. I am local to Crawley, just leaving the area briefly to study Mathematics at university.My two children have both attended St Francis with my eldest now at St Wilfrid’s whilst my youngest is currently in key stage 2.

In my professional career, I have worked entirely in the pensions industry.  My current role allows me to work close to home and has therefore given me more time to take an active role in the school.

I have a keen interest in education, being married to a teacher and having further educators in the family.  This will hopefully give me a good understanding of school life from multiple points of view. I feel very lucky to now be involved at St Francis and hope to be another friendly face that helps support such a lovely school.”

Mrs Vicki Flack

 I am the staff representative on the board of governors.  I have worked as a primary school teacher for six years, all of which have been at St Francis as a class teacher in Key Stage 2.  I am currently in Year 5.  I am the Computing Subject Leader and also the Online Safety Coordinator. Prior to becoming a teacher,  I worked in the Information Technology field as a Project Manager for a number of years.I have two children, one in primary school and one in Year 9, and therefore have a good understanding of primary school education from both a teacher’s and parent’s view point.

My main areas of responsibility as a governor are to represent the staff and also the Curriculum.

Mrs Ana Andrade

I have been appointed Foundation Governor and have lived in Crawley for the past 16 years. I am a member of the Friary Church and am originally from South Africa with Portuguese descent.

My daughter is currently in year 9 at St Wilfrid’s she started her academic journey at St Francis and whilst she was at the school, I was an active member of the PFA and towards her last years I was Co-chair of the PFA. As a family, we thoroughly enjoyed helping and organising the school events.

I have a background in Information Technology. Currently, I work as a Database and European Website’s manager for a Global corporate company.

I feel privileged and honoured to be a Governor and give back to the community and support such a fantastic school.

I was elected as parent governor in March 2021. Since moving to Crawley 15 years ago, as practicing Catholics, we have mainly attended service at The Friary, where all my children were baptised and 2 have received their sacrament of Communion. More recently, we attend service at St Bernadette’s and St Theodores.

Mrs Rhea Fernandes

I was elected as parent governor in March 2021. Since moving to Crawley 15 years ago, as practicing Catholics, we have mainly attended service at The Friary, where all my children were Baptised and 2 have received their sacrament of Communion. More recently, we attend service at St Bernadette’s and St Theodores.

My professional background has been in the food industry following my degree in Microbiology. I have worked as a Senior Microbiologist and Senior Food Safety Advisor and currently work in the capacity of a Technical and Quality Systems Manager. With the desire to work in the educational field I acquired experience as a school support staff, where I have enjoyed contributing towards the development of children and supporting their learning environment.

I have 3 children at St Francis, in Years 6, 4 and 3 who are flourishing in the educational involvements offered by the school. This opportunity to serve as parent governor lets me give a little back to the school and assist in maintaining the direction and vision of the school.

 

Dr Paul Quinn

I was elected as a Parent Governor in May 2023.  I am a long-term Crawley resident and attended both St Francis of Assisi and St Wilfrid’s school.  Two of my children are currently pupils at St Francis, in year three and reception.  Our family are members of St Bernadette’s worshiping community.  I was previously a member Crawley Catholic Parish’s Core Committee; I was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.  I am currently a Reader at Mass. 

I am a Senior Lecturer in English Literature in the Department of Humanities at the University of Chichester.  I previously worked in bookselling, both general and specialised; in the latter role I worked closely with parishes and Diocesan schools, helping schools, parish youth and children’s groups to obtain materials for sacramental programmes, children’s liturgies, and to assist in the development of a Catholic ethos as part of a wider Catholic education.