Governance

The St Nicholas Local Governing Board currently comprises of 9 members - 6 Foundation Governors  1 Parent Governor, 1 Community Governor and 1 Staff Governor.

The Local Governing Board meets once per term and convenes working groups to look at items such as Standards, Admissions, Curriculum and the Catholic Life of the School.

We are supported as a Local Governing Board by our MAT Central Team at Plymouth CAST who provide advice and support for Governors as well as additional training and updates on legislation, Ofsted and other education areas.

The aim of the Local Governing Board of St Nicholas is to support the Senior Leadership Team in the strategic direction of the school and meet regularly with Teachers and Support Staff to offer support and guidance. Governors interact with Students and Staff to obtain a clear picture of the workings within school and help to ensure the progression of the school in accordance with the Mission Statement.

 

Governor's Strategic Vision

To be recognised as the School of Choice for children, parents and staff by:
  • providing outstanding learning for all children
  • celebrating the Catholic ethos of the School
  • providing innovative and diverse learning opportunities
  • enabling staff to help children reach their full potential
 
The Clerk to the Governors is Mrs Brocksom  who can be contacted on clerk@stncs.uk 
 

Who are the Local Governing Board?

  • Mrs Sarah Osbond

    Chair of Governors / Co-Opted Governor

    I am a primary school teacher and have spent the last 8 years living in the US where I taught forest school in the Pacific Northwest and spent my spare time hiking in the mountains with my family. I enjoy adventures in nature with muddy boots and hot coffee.

  • Mrs Frances Dennehy

    Plymouth CAST Foundation Governor

    VIce Chair of Governors. Plymouth CAST Foundation Governor. Term of office expires 5/12/2024.

    Safeguarding Governor

    I’m a foundation governor and have a son at the school currently in year 2. I’m a named governor for safeguarding and the Catholic life of the school. I am currently studying for a Diploma in Counselling having spent over a decade working in the NHS in the Fertility Clinic in Exeter.

  • Dr Frankie Phillips

    Plymouth CAST Foundation Governor

    Expiry of 4 year term of office on 21/05/25.

    Dr Frankie Phillips has been a Foundation Governor since Summer 2013 and was vice-chair of Governors between 2016 - 2018. Frankie has four children and two are current pupils at St Nicholas school. Frankie is lead governor for the Catholic Life of the School and is actively involved in the' Drop in , Drop off' group welcoming parents and carers on Friday mornings. Frankie is a self-employed HCPC registered dietitian with expertise in child and public health nutrition and often comments on print and broadcast media stories related to nutrition.

  • Mr James Cookson

    Plymouth CAST Foundation Governor

    I have been a Foundation Governor since Spring 2019 to support the staff and pupils at St Nicholas Catholic Primary School. I work for the NHS at Kernow CCG and enjoy exploring the Devon countryside.

  • Mrs Ann Hall

    Foundation Governor

    I spent the whole of my working life in education, mainly in Catholic primary schools where I held various roles, including that of headteacher. I have also previously served on the governing body of two schools and worked as an education welfare officer. Now retired, I enjoy having more time to spend with my 7 grandchildren and great grandson. One of my grandsons attends our school and another has recently left. I am one of 2 lead governors for Inclusion.

  • Mr GJ Melendez-Torres

    Foundation Governor

    G.J. Melendez-Torres is Professor of Clinical and Social Epidemiology at the University of Exeter, where he also directs the School for Public Health Environments Research at Exeter (SPHERE). A registered nurse by education and vocation, his research and teaching primarily focus on child and adolescent health and on the prevention of domestic violence. He is a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish.

  • Dr James Pope

    Parent Governor

    James is a parent governor beginning in the role in September 2023. James works as a senior climate scientist at the Met Office working with the UK Climate Projections. Away from work, James plays squash and has coached squash for over 20 years to children from age 5 to 18. He also plays a multi-racket sport, Racketlon and helps organise the sport in the UK and as a member of its World Governing Council. He has one child currently in the school and expects a second to start there in the near future.

  • Mr Seb Mills

    Community Governor

    I am a Community governor with five of my children attending the school. I lead on Health, Safety, and GDPR. I am a qualified accountant (CIMA) and work as an IT Manager for the University of Exeter. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and working on DIY projects around the house and garden.

  • Miss Jemma Standen

    Staff Governor

    Staff Governor from 30/3/22. Currently Lydford Class teacher (Yr 2) and maths subject leader.

  • Mrs Cathy Blatchford

    Executive Headteacher

    head@stncs.uk

    Ex-officio Foundation Governor. Executive Head of St Nicholas and OLSP in Teignmouth since 01/01/22

  • Miss Kelli Reynolds

    Head of School

    head@stncs.uk

    Ex-officio member of Governing Body. Head of School since September 2018
Governors who have left in the last 12 months

  • Mr Alex Hill

    Vice Chair of Governors / Community Governor
Plymouth CAST Information 
Approved Part 1 Minutes
To obtain a copy of LCB  part 1 minutes please contact Mrs Brocksom, Clerk to Governors by emailing clerk@stncs.uk