Meet the Governors
Chair of Governors: Claire Higgins
As Chair of Governors, I feel privileged to work with the headteacher and the senior leadership team to promote and maintain high standards of educational achievement at St John Fisher and ensure that the governing body sets a clear vision, ethos and strategic direction for the school. I was appointed as Local Authority Governor (LAG) in March 2019 and am in my second term as an LAG.
My Governor link areas are safeguarding , SEND, pupil premium, inclusion, attendance and behaviour, PHSE, computing and digital Safeguarding and school council link governor. I have an interest in health and safety and I Chair the Health and Safety committee working with the School Business Manager and Site Manager to ensure the school H&S standards comply with the requirements of the Tameside Local Authority auditors.
Having attended St John Fisher RC Primary myself before I moved on to St Thomas More, I feel passionately about leading the team of Governors as we work together at a strategic level to ensure that the Catholic vision and character of the school is upheld.
Mandy Harris
I am very proud to be the Headteacher at St John Fisher RC Primary School. I came here in September 2018 from St Catherine's RC Primary School in Didsbury, where I was the Deputy Headteacher for four and a half years. I have taught for 31 years and have experience ranging from Year 1 right through to Year 6. My favourite subject is Maths and I still love to teach it. I have lots of experience in curriculum development and assessment and quality first teaching. All of which are skills I share with the staff here at St John Fisher. I have also previously been the Teacher representative on the governing body.
I have four children all of whom were educated in the catholic sector and I am committed to developing the faith life of our school in conjunction with the academic. Developing the whole child and helping them to be ready for the next stage in their lives is an important part of our job.
I am passionate about education and am dedicating to making St John Fisher the best Catholic Primary School it can be.
Donal Townson
My name is Donal Townson and I was appointed by the Bishop of Salford as a Foundation Governor in September 2015. My association with the school dates back to 1991 when I was appointed as Deputy Head teacher retiring in 2015.
I am an active member of St. Mary & St. John Fisher parish and I’m a reader at Sunday Masses at St. John Fisher. I’m also the Authorised Person at St. Mary’s, so I’m responsible for ensuring that the legal requirements of marriages solemnised in a registered building are met.
I’m also the Secretary of the Tameside Schools’ Football Association and run the primary school competitions. This year, it was my pleasure to present the school’s boys’ and girls’ teams with their medals and trophies for winning the Alan Millea Cup and the Kate Stonehewer Trophy for small schools. Finally, I’ve got three children and three grandchildren, so I’m kept busy most days.
I also attended the schools’ Summer Fair and was struck by a number of things. Firstly, the wonderful relationship between staff and pupils, between staff and parents, and between parents themselves which stood out. The hard work put in by all the school staff, again reflects on the teamwork being developed by Mrs. Harris. I also watched pupils who attend Lane’s Dance Academy perform intricate dance routines in front of a large crowd which shows the confidence being developed.
With these qualities, I feel privileged to supporting our Headteacher, Mrs. Harris, and all the staff in the wonderful job they are doing in promoting the Catholic Faith and Ethos of the school, while also ensuring the safeguarding of our pupils and seeing them develop the skills and confidence to leave our school having achieved their full potential to strive for greater things.
I also look forward to supporting my hard working fellow governors, a dedicated and committed Governing Body, led by our excellent chair, Mrs. Claire Higgins, in challenging and supporting our Headteacher and staff as they strive for excellence for the children we have been entrusted with.
Luke Nolan
Bio to follow
Rachel Lavin
It is my privilege to be the SEN support assistant at St John Fisher, a role that began almost 3 years ago; in the autumn of 2022.
I have a wide breadth of professional experience and knowledge, having worked with a variety of different age groups ranging from early years to high school pupils, in roles including child and family key worker, nursery nurse, learning mentor and HLTA with teaching responsibilities in a resourced provision.
Around 12 years ago my passion for SEND education was ignited, seeing the whole young person grow in confidence, happiness and develop socially and emotionally in ways that are not traditionally measured is what makes my job the most rewarding. Having a caring, inclusive, tailored and bespoke curriculum that matches their need is what every child deserves. My skills have continued to flourish at St John Fisher through the guidance of our dedicated and inspirational SENDCo, the commitment to SEND from our whole school team and my enthusiasm to learn and reflect upon my practise.
I’m a practising catholic and having 3 children myself who have benefitted from a catholic education I am committed to supporting the children on their journey of faith and promoting our St John Fisher Family core values of faith, love, courage and passion.
Huw Brophy
Bio to follow
