Hello and a warm welcome to St Joseph’s from your school governors. As a collective we are referred to as a Local CAST Board or LCB for short.
Our LCB consists of Foundation Governors who are appointed by the Bishop, Parent Governors, who are elected by parents and carers of St. Joseph’s. We are also very fortunate to have a Community Governor. The Headteacher is also a member of the LCB and we are supported by our Clerk to Governors. We are group of people with varying skills, knowledge and experiences. However, our aim is the same – to support our school community in the very best way we can. Please have a look at our governor profiles to learn more about the current members of St Joseph’s LCB.
Our whole school focus is about putting the children at the centre of everything we do. Helping them to be the best that they can be. Their needs and wellbeing are paramount. As governors we do this by promoting Plymouth CAST’s Vision and Values. Acting as a ‘wisdom group’ for our school, providing support and challenge as necessary. Although governors within Plymouth CAST do not have any statutory powers, we do have specific responsibilities which are delegated to us by the Trust. These are outlined in the Plymouth CAST Scheme of Delegation. A Schedule of Accountability provides the framework for our governance activities covering key areas of school life. These are Religious Education & Catholic Life; Curriculum & Standards; Special Educational Needs & Disability, Inclusion & Equality; Safeguarding & Child Protection and Health & Safety & Data Protection. All governors undertake annual training in Safeguarding and attend training and briefing events offered by Plymouth CAST and the Diocesan Education Service. We meet as a full LCB twice per term.
As well as carrying out our governance activities we like to take an active part in school life. We visit school regularly to meet with the children and staff and attend school worship, assemblies and activities and events organised by the PTA. Governors also seek to champion our school in the local community and reinforce the relationship between our school and our parish church.
If you have any questions about any aspects of the governor role, please address these in the first instance to Mrs Iris Reiss-Golumbeck, Clerk to the Governors at clerk@stjo.uk.
Lynn Cook, Chair of Governors
(Academic year 2023-24)
Mrs Lynn Cook
Foundation Governor / Chair of Governors
I joined the Governing Board of St Joseph’s as a Foundation Governor in March 2018. I was delighted to be asked to join the team of existing governors, especially as my two grown up children had been pupils at St. Joseph's. I began my 2nd term on the Board in March 2022 and have served as Chair of Governors since September 2021.
I am a retired Civil Servant and coached children’s sports as a volunteer for a number of years. Since retiring I have completed a Level 3 Award in Education and Training. I enjoy coming into school to meet with the children and feel very privileged to be part of a wonderful school family. As a governor of St Joseph’s I will always act in the best interest of our children, families and staff.
Mrs Nicola Dustan
Foundation Governor / Vice-Chair of Governors / Safeguarding & Child Protection Lead / Admissions Committee Member
I joined the local governing body in January 2017 as Foundation Governor. I was a civil servant for 37 years and now have retired. I am Vice Chair of the local governing body and Safeguarding Governor Lead. My two children went to the school many years ago.
Mrs Sarah Kussel
Parent Governor / Curriculum & Standards Shadow Governor
I joined the Local Governing Board as a parent governor in July 2023. I am a qualified secondary mathematics teacher and have a particular interest in inclusion and SEND. Throughout my time as a teacher I have worked in a wide range of schools and with a variety of abilities.
My family live locally and our children attend St Joseph’s. I enjoy coming into school to teach BSL to the children and look forward to supporting it in its next steps.
Mrs Rebecca Lloyd
Foundation Governor / Special Educational Needs, Inclusion & Equality Lead
I joined the local governing body as Foundation Governor in April 2019. I teach Spanish and French at Exmouth Community College and coordinate the KS4 and KS5 Modern Languages curriculum. I have two sons at St. Joseph’s. We have a strong family connection with the school and our family have been attending the school for the past 55 years. I enjoy keeping fit and spending time with my family exploring the outdoors.
Dr Camilla Mathison
Foundation Governor / RE & Catholic Life Shadow Governor
I joined the Local Governing Board as a Foundation Governor in September 2023. I live in Exmouth and I have two children who are attending St Joseph’s. I am a Science manager researching climate change mitigation at the Met Office. This informs a large part of our family life, meaning we try to live in a sustainable way and minimise our impact on our planet. I am keen to help maintain a strong link between our parish and school communities.
Mrs Ruth Mills
Parent Governor / Safeguarding & Child Protection Shadow Governor
Awaiting photo and pen portrait
Mr William (Bill) Morrell
Foundation Governor / Curriculum & Standards Lead / Pupil Chaplaincy-GIFT Team Support / Admissions Committee Member
My wife Mary and I have two children and five grandchildren. We settled in Exmouth in 2019 and I became a Foundation Governor in March 2022. My professional career was in policing in London and Manchester, as well as the Solomon Islands and several other conflict and post conflict countries. As a Governor I am interested in building community between the School and Christian Churches in Exmouth and helping the children, staff and parents know the joy and love of Walking with Jesus.
Mr Clive Pearcey
Community Governor / Health, Safety & Data Protection Lead / School Council
I was appointed to the Local Governing Body in February 2010 as a Local Education Authority Governor, now as a Community Governor. I find it highly rewarding seeing the school going from strength to strength. I am lead governor for Health & Safety and Premises. My main duties also include liaising with the School Council. I started my working life in the Army, twelve years before going into Electrical contracting and then working for one of the large Utility companies for twenty years. My interests are varied, an allotment, ballroom dancing and stained glass to name a few.
By far the greatest enjoyment I have as a Governor is going into school and working with the children and seeing how they develop as young people especially academically and spiritually.
Mrs Kate Sillars
Foundation Governor / RE & Catholic Life Lead
I joined the Governing Body in November 2020. I am a retired teacher and spent the whole of my teaching career in Catholic Primary Schools. I am Lead Governor for Religious Education and Catholic Life of the School. I have four children and three grandchildren who live all over the world and we enjoy visiting them. I enjoy walking, cooking, sewing and Pilates classes. I love working with children and helping them grow into responsible and spiritual young adults.
I was employed by Plymouth CAST as clerk of governors in July 2015. My role includes providing professional advice to the Local CAST Board (LCB) on governance, constitutional and procedural matters and effective administrative support to the LCB and its committees including minute taking and convening meetings. Also, it includes ensuring the LCB is properly constituted and managing all governing body information effectively in accordance with legal requirements as well as supporting the LCB in order to meet all of its statutory duties.
Headteacher: Mrs Jacqi Stephens
Elected Parent Governors: Sarah Kussel, Ruth Mills
Staff Governor: vacant
Associate Members: Rosie Lapwood (senior administrator)
Admissions Committee - Nicola Dustan, William Morrell, Rosie Lapwood