The aim of the Local Governing Body is to work with the Board of Directors, the Executive Team and the School Leadership Team to support the effective operation of the school and Emmaus Catholic MAC to enable our pupils to achieve their full potential in a happy, caring, Christ-centred environment, maintaining at all times the Catholic ethos. The LGB also provides strategic oversight of health, safety, wellbeing and safeguarding of children, thereby embedding a strong culture of safeguarding and ensuring the visibility and accountability of governance responsibilities.

The three core strategic functions of the LGB are:

• Ensuring clarity of Catholic vision, ethos, and strategic direction
• Holding senior leadership to account for educational performance and Catholic character, as well as internal organisation and management
• Overseeing financial performance and ensuring money is well spent.

The LGB is made up of the following structure:

• Ex-officio (Executive) Principal
• 6 Foundation Governors
• 2 Parent Governors
• 1 Staff Governor

The Emmaus Catholic MAC and Diocesan mission statement "Forming Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice" should be at the heart of governance.

Governance should be grounded in Catholic social principles such as human dignity, solidarity, the common good, preferential option for the poor, peace, stewardship of creation, and the dignity of work and participation. Governors and directors are expected to provide effective challenge within a supportive environment (kind hearts, questioning minds and a thirst for knowledge).

There must be a strong commitment to mutual respect and understanding. This involves engaging thoughtfully and inquisitively with various issues while maintaining a high level of regard for one another and fostering an environment that encourages collaboration and hope.

Governors and directors must uphold the Seven Nolan Principles of Public Life:

• Selflessness
• Integrity
• Objectivity
• Accountability
• Openness
• Honesty
• Leadership

If you are interested in becoming a governor at St Philip's Catholic Primary School please visit the Governance section of the Emmaus Catholic MAC website to find out more about the role and how to apply.

On behalf of the Local Governing Body of St. Philip’s I am pleased to welcome you to our school website.

Getting the choice of school right for your child is an important decision. I am sure you will share my views that the following are the most important requirements from a Catholic primary school.

We want our children at St. Philip’s to:

• Have a Catholic education.
• Feel safe and be well supported.
• Be happy in school.
• Be the best they can be in their faith development, academic achievements, and social skills.

I know that you will find all of these at St. Philip’s. I commend to you the hard working and caring staff who are so ably led by the Headteacher Mrs. Hinton. Staff and governors will continue to work hard together to ensure we fulfil our school mission statement: ‘Learning and working together through Christ.’

I look forward to working with you and hearing from you as we carry out our joint responsibilities of nurturing the future faith citizens of our country.

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Godber
Chair of Local Governing Body

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