Meet our Governors
A Welcome from the Chair of Governors
On behalf of the governors and staff at St Mary's, thank you for your interest in our school. We are proud of the strong sense of community that runs through every part of St Mary's and the dedication of our staff in ensuring that every child is supported to flourish.
The school is situated in an exceptional location with beautiful surroundings, providing us with a tranquil space for learning to take place for all our pupils. Our children are all known to our staff as individuals and share a caring and aspirational learning experience. We work with our parents to ensure that all children achieve their full potential and are prepared for life ahead. We are committed to ensuring that each child is the best they can be.
As governors, we are fully involved in the life of the school and work closely with the leadership team to ensure that our values are lived out in every aspect of school life. We know that the partnership between school and home is vital, and we value the trust families place in us when they choose St Mary's for their children.
Our broad and balanced curriculum reflects our commitment to providing children with a rich and varied learning experience. In addition to skilled and experienced teaching of the core subjects, we are fortunate to have a specialist member of staff who enhances our provision of sport, Spanish, and computing, offering children opportunities to discover and develop their talents across a wide range of subjects. Our Platinum Sports Mark Award recognises the high-quality physical education and sporting opportunities we offer, and we offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities, from Judo to Art classes, that take place after school hours
Governors take great pride in the positive relationships we see every day between children and adults. It is clear when visiting the school that children are happy, engaged, and thriving in an environment where they are truly known and cared for.
If you are considering St Mary's for your child, I warmly encourage you to come and visit, when a personal tour can be arranged for you. We would be delighted to show you what makes our school such a special place.
David Carruthers,
Chair of Governors
Local Governing Board
David Carruthers - Chair
Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust
Governor Type: Foundation Governor and Chair of Governors
Term of Office:
Current Membership and Responsibilities: Chair with overall responsibility for governance, leadership and development. With specific responsibility for curriculum, school ethos and senior staff well being.
Governance Experience: David has been a main board member and Director of various public companies in the software industry He was a founder of IBIS Plc, a major Banking Software supplier to the banking industry and later was the CEO of Financial Object PLC. David has been the company Secretary for 8 public companies.
David has a particular interest in the application of AI and more recently in education. He has recently applied his experience to working with the Trust in its evaluation of its IT systems.
David has been a School Governor and then Chair of Governors for nearly 10 years at St Mary’s School. David has overseen the movement of the school from a V.A.to joining the CVPLT
Professional Experience: David has maintained an ongoing interest in education and the application of software in this area. Has been involved in the early stages of the development of “Singapore Maths” whilst working in Singapore and is particularly invested in seeing the impact of teaching maths to our SEND pupils.
Personal Interests: David supports local initiatives and oversees work in the community, acting as a church Warden at St Mary’s Church. David Chairs the church Mission and Outreach Committee
David has 2 children, both educated in State Schools, who are Cambridge University graduates and 5 grandchildren in full-time education. He is committed to ensuring that all our pupils receive the best possible education and start in life.
Register of Interest: None
Fran Willett - Co-Vice Chair
Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust
Governor Type: Foundation/DBE Governor
Term of Office: 07-Mar-24 to 06-Mar-28
Current Membership and Responsibilities: Safeguarding
Governance Experience: Governor of St Mary’s since 2016
Professional Experience: Trained as a nurse and midwife, but latterly 16 years in education before retirement
Personal Interests:
Register of Interest: None
David Gilbert - Co-Vice Chair
Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust
Governor Type: Foundation/DBE Governor
Term of Office: 05-Oct-24 to 04-Oct-28
Current Membership and Responsibilities: Attendance, Policies, Pupil Premium, Sports premium, Website
Governance Experience: Governor of St Mary's since Oct-20
Professional Experience:
Personal Interests: Running, cycling trips abroad
Register of Interest: None
Helen Richards - Foundation Governor
Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust
Governor Type: Foundation/PCC Governor
Term of Office: 07-Mar-24 to 06-Mar-28
Current Membership and Responsibilities: SEND, Ethos
Governance Experience: Governor of St Mary's since March 2024
Professional Experience: Worked in the NHS for 47 years
Personal Interests: Dancing, reading, gardening, sewing
Register of Interest: None
Revd Gary Norman
Appointing Body: Governing Board of Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust
Governor Type: Ex Officio
Term of Office: 01-Oct-23
Current Membership and Responsibilities: Parish priest
Governance Experience: In over 21 years of ministry I have served as a community governor across 5 Primary (secular)schools, As a trustee for 2 learning trusts in County Durham/ Durham Diocese before relocating to St Albans Diocese
Professional Experience: Coming from a long-term background of working in Care & casework with a number of Charities and Oxfordshire Social services I became ordained in 2004. I served for 18+ years in Durham Diocese with a primary focus on communities within the top 5 percentile of poverty and social deprivation.
Joining St Albans Diocese in late 2023 as the Vicar of St Mary’s has provided a fresh experience &challenge in ministry that I am greatly enjoying!
Personal Interests: Spending time with my family – including our 2 dogs. I am also a keen Birder and walker
Register of Interest: None
Miranda Collett - Staff
Appointing Body: St Mary's School Governing Body
Governor Type: Staff Governor
Term of Office: 03-Jan-24 to 02-Jan-28
Current Membership and Responsibilities:
Governance Experience:
Professional Experience:
Personal Interests:
Register of Interest: None
Natasha Maxwell - Headteacher
Appointing Body: St Mary's School Governing Body
Governor Type:
Term of Office: 01-Sep-23 - For the duration of employment as Head
Current Membership and Responsibilities:
Governance Experience:
Professional Experience:
Personal Interests:
Register of Interest: None
Governance Impact
At St Mary's, governors work strategically alongside school leaders and Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust to support high-quality education, strong wellbeing and opportunities for all children to flourish.
Governors play an active role in supporting and challenging the school so that high standards are maintained across all areas of school life. Through regular meetings, monitoring visits and ongoing professional dialogue, governors help ensure that the school vision remains at the heart of decision-making.
Our governors contribute to school improvement by:
- Providing strategic oversight of safeguarding and ensuring statutory responsibilities are fulfilled effectively
- Reviewing whole-school pupil progress and attainment information to evaluate educational outcomes and inform strategic priorities
- Supporting the strategic development of the curriculum, ensuring it aligns with the vision and values of St Mary’s
- Engaging with senior and subject leaders to understand school strengths, priorities and areas for further development
- Monitoring trends in attendance, behaviour and wellbeing to support positive outcomes for pupils across the school
- Reviewing the effectiveness of provision for SEND and vulnerable pupils to promote inclusion, equity and accessibility
- Supporting and challenging the school’s development as a Church school, including monitoring progress towards SIAMS priorities
- Providing financial oversight to ensure resources are allocated effectively and sustainably in line with school improvement priorities
- Undertaking strategic monitoring visits to gain understanding of school life, teaching, learning and pupil experience
- Supporting leadership capacity and promoting a positive culture for staff wellbeing and professional development
- Ensuring the school operates compliantly, safely and with ambition for all members of the school community
Governors are committed to working collaboratively with staff, pupils, parents, the Trust and the wider community to help St Mary’s continue to grow and flourish together.