Meet the Governors

Greetings! A very warm welcome from the Governing Body at St. Patrick's Catholic Primary School. Please have a look at our pages below so you can learn what we do and who we are.
We are always looking to increase our Governing Body member numbers, below is information about the role and work we do. At present we have vacancies for Foundation Governors (application forms below). The Clerk to Governors, Sharon Gilbert can be contacted at the school on 01249 713125 or via email clerk@st-patricks.wilts.sch.uk if you would like any other further information.

Who We Are

Charlotte Gilbert - Foundation Governor & Chair

I’m Charlotte Gilbert and I joined as a parent governor at St Patrick’s in 2022. My daughter started in Reception in September 2021 and loves going into school every day. My husband also attended the school many years ago!

When the opportunity arose to become a parent governor, I was keen to take on the role to support the school in providing the best opportunities for each child’s educational and personal development.

My professional background is in education, having been a primary school teacher and deputy headteacher over the last 18 years. I am currently an adviser for Wiltshire Local Authority providing advice and professional development around assessment and moderation as well as the induction of Early Career Teachers.

In any spare time, I enjoy eating out, going to the theatre and spending time with my family.

Deborah Chebly - Foundation Governor - Vice chair

When my family moved to the UK in 2020 after several years abroad, we received the best possible welcome from St Patrick’s. My two daughters immediately felt very much at home, and the school helped us all to adjust and settle within a community of care. I’m now delighted to be able to be a part of this very special school by taking on a position as a parent governor.

I have worked in schoolbooks publishing for most of my professional life, in-house and also as a freelancer. The focus of my work has been producing materials for teaching English as a foreign language to be used in schools around the world.

I have always loved music-making, especially in groups; I play violin in one of the Wiltshire orchestras, and also love improvising on the piano. Since moving to this part of the country, I’ve also done a lot of walking in muddy fields, and have been known to disappear for hours as I discover Wiltshire on foot.

Jane Wragg - Foundation Governor

My name is Jane Wragg and I have just become a Foundation Governor.

I am a parishioner at St. Patrick’s Church, and I live in Wadswick with my husband Peter, Ben the dog and Theophilus (Theo) the cat.

Peter and I moved to Wiltshire in 2001 to run a hotel in Bradford-on-Avon, before that I had been a social worker for 25 years, working in different parts of the country. I have been retired for 10 years.

I have 2 sons, one is a chef and lives in Bristol, the other is a headmaster of an international school in Frankfurt. I am granny to 5, one of whom we look after every Friday.

I am really looking forward to my role as governor and becoming part of the St. Patrick’s family. Most of my social work career was spent with older people. Working with young people will be a new challenge and I am sure very rewarding.

Rosie Wilkinson - Staff Governor

I came to join St Patrick’s in 2013. Since then, I have taught in most year groups while leading initiatives in drama, outdoor learning and the creative curriculum. My responsibilities include key stage 2, English comprehension, Art and Design Technology and I am also the educational visitor’s coordinator. My son is in year 8 now but as with all children and adults in this unique school community, he is still part of the St Patrick’s family. As a parent, I feel very privileged that my son was given such a wonderful start by this fabulous school.

Before coming here, I taught in a large community school in Northwest London for 15 years, where I led the English and Drama faculty. I was trained by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE) in their power of reading project which is rooted in rich, diverse texts and a dynamic creative approach to English teaching. My love of drama and theatre started early at my local youth theatre and continued at Warwick University where I took a BA English and Drama with QTS. I also took an MA in Acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama and have acted professionally as well as writing and performing comedy.

Dave Moore - LA Governor

Hello, I'm David Moore and I joined St Patrick's as an LA Governor in 2022. This was after my eldest child joined Reception in September 2021. Watching my Daughter not only enjoy going to school but thrive here made me want to support this brilliant school and to help ensure every child that comes to St Patrick's not only enjoys coming to school but also achieves their potential. I grew up in Corsham and have lived in the town most of my life. My professional background is in Marketing, which I have a Degree and Masters Degree in, but in the last 5 years I have become a Project Manager. I am currently a Senior Project Manager in the IT sector. When I am not working or supporting the school, I love to spend time with my family, especially on days out. I enjoy running and I love watching films, particularly in the cinema. I am also interested in all things to do with Aviation and Space. Please do come and say hello if you see me in the playground!

Tony Kirkby - Parent Governor

My name is Toby Kirkby and my family and I moved to Corsham in February 2024. We were delighted that our two boys were able to enrol at St Patrick's and, thanks to the amazing staff at the school have settled so quickly following their mid-year transition. They now look forward to going to school every day and we are hoping our youngest daughter will start in reception next year!

When I saw the position of parent governor being advertised, I jumped at the opportunity. Having been involved in secondary school governance, I have seen first hand the impact an effective governing body can have. I am looking forward to the challenge of being a governor and contributing towards the future success of St Patrick's.

As previously mentioned, I have a background in secondary education, having been a secondary school teacher for 20 years across a range of state secondary schools across the UK. When I am not working or looking after the children, I enjoy playing football and have an active interest in DIY and motorsport.

Laura Cadman - Parent Governor

I’m Laura and I joined as a parent governor in the summer of 2024. My eldest daughter joined St Patricks in reception in 2022, and it has been fantastic to see her enjoy going to school and becoming part of the St Patrick's family. I am looking forward to being able to actively contribute to the support and development of the school.

I have lived in Corsham since 2016. My professional background is in science – I have a doctorate in Chemistry and I currently work as a senior portfolio manager for a large public funder of scientific research. I have worked in various areas of research funding including computer science and AI, but I currently work in funding for health technologies. I spend a large amount of my working time speaking to researchers and lecturers, and it will be a privilege to spend more time working with some of the youngest in our education system!

I love spending time with my family, and in my spare time I enjoy embroidery and craft. Please do say hello if you see me around!

Sharon Gilbert - Clerk to the Governors

I have personally been associated with St Patrick's School for over 30 years, first as a parent & PFTA member before joining the school staff. It has been a privilege to be part of the school team helping to build St Patrick's into the school it is today.
I have the dual role of Business Manager and Clerk to the Governors. As Business Manager I oversee all aspects involved in running the school premises, finances and HR, strategic development as well as project management of building development. As clerk my role is to assist in the function of the Governing Body.

What We Do

WHAT IS A GOVERNING BODY?

The governing body of our school is responsible for ensuring the school provides the best possible education for the children and to see it fulfills all the requirements laid down by law. The governing body is made up of a variety of different types of governor so that all concerned parties interests are represented fairly:

Foundation Governors - Appointed by the Bishop

Staff Governors - Elected by Staff

Parent Governors - Elected by Parent Body

LA Governor (representing the Local Authority although this person does not have to be an employee of the LA)

WHAT DO WE DO?

As a Governing Body we help the school to set high standards by planning for the school's future and setting targets for school improvement.

We work with the school on planning and developing policies and keeping pupil progress under review;
We make the school accountable for its plans and goals;
We provide support and challenge and evaluate the school’s performance against targets;
We are accountable to Ofsted, the Department of Education and the Diocese.

The Governing Body engages with the Head Teacher and school in creating a 3 year Development Plan and in identifying annual school improvement targets in key curriculum areas incorporating the spiritual development of all individuals.

Governors are entrusted with managing the School’s budget and they target investment to deliver tangible outcomes for pupil well-being and progress. Governors have worked closely with the Headteacher and Senior Leadership team to identify, plan and deliver resources such as the New Curriculum, the building of the new kitchen facility and to improve safeguarding through the re-development of the school entrance area and the introduction of even more secure access arrangements for visitors.

MEETINGS

At every Full Governing Body (FGB) meeting, the Headteacher presents a Headteacher’s Report, a very informative document which gives us a good picture of the school. It covers areas such as attendance, progress and attainment, behaviour, and health and safety, and looks at the school’s successes and achievements, as well as any issues or areas of weakness and how they are being addressed. As well as bringing out the best of our children academically, their happiness, safety and general well being is also key in ensuring that they have a fulfilling time at school.

The governors meet once a term as a whole to deal with their areas of responsibility in a Full Governing Body meeting. Governors also form small working groups to deal with issues of finance, curriculum, safeguarding, staffing, property, health & safety, strategy and standards. The Business Manager gives regular updates on the schools budget, property, Health & Safety at Governing Body meetings and provides a termly report.

Governors have regular contact with the children through visits and school activities and events.

Governing Body Structure & Terms of Office, Link Governors & Panels

Governing Body Structure and Term of Office

The Governing Body consists of 12 members

7 Foundation
1 Head
1 Local Authority
2 Parent
1 Staff

Associate members appointed have an advisory role

Name	Terms of Office	Governor Type
Charlotte Gilbert	03/06/24 - 02/06/28	Foundation/Chair
Deborah Chebly	24/07/23 - 23/07/27	Foundation/Vice Chair
David Moore	25/05/22 - 24/01/26	LA Governor
Rosie Wilkinson	13/01/22 - 12/01/26	Staff
Jane Wragg	24/07/23 - 23/07/27	Foundation
Laura Cadman	16/07/24 - 15/07/28	Parent
Tony Kirkby	16/07/24 - 15/07/28	Parent
Jennie Courtney		Head

Sharon Gilbert Clerk to Governors

Each Governor carries a Link Governor role and responsibility within certain subjects and areas in the school. They can then focus on these areas and report back to the FGB so everyone is kept up to date with progress.

Governor	Link Role
Charlotte Gilbert	Safeguarding / Pupil Premium / Disadvantaged Learners / Maths
Deborah Chebly	RE Curriculum / Finance / Phonics
David Moore	Health & Safety / Foundation Curriculum
Jane Wragg	RE Chaplaincy / Catholic Life of the School
Rosie Wilkinson	Health & Safety