Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School

Local Governing Body

The aim of the Local Governing Body of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School (which is part of the Emmaus MAC) is to work together with the Principal, the Vice Principal and all the staff on operational matters in the school in order to support the children to achieve their full potential in a happy, caring, Christ-centred environment, maintaining at all times the Catholic ethos. The governing body 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 key elements in achieving this aim are to:

Preserve and develop the ethos and character of a Catholic School and the academy through high expectations of everyone in the school community including fundamental British values of democracy (rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs).
Ensure strong links within the Parish are maintained to ensure children and their families are given the opportunity to deepen their faith building on the knowledge and values taught at the school.
Monitor the performance and progress of all the children at the school.
Work with all the staff to help them to teach and care for all our children in the most effective manner.
Ensure that the resources of the school are best utilised, in consultation with the Principal.
Plan with the Principal to guarantee that the overall performance of staff, children, and hence the school, continues to improve in all aspects.

To enable the Local Governing Representatives to achieve these objectives, the Local Governing Body is made up of key groups within the school- parents, staff, the Church and the community. The Foundation Local Governing Body Representatives are appointed by the Diocese, whilst the parent and staff representatives are elected. All representatives serve for a term of four years.

The Local Governing Body meets each term; at which time they focus on specific activities such as: finance and budgeting implications, curriculum, staffing, admissions, premises and health and safety. Individual members of the Local Governing Body bring valuable experience and skills which are utilised to ensure the community of Our Lady Of Fatima School continues to be happy, caring and successful whilst benefiting from the wider community of the Emmaus Academy and the Church.

The Local Governing Body, whilst responsible for operational matters takes overall direction from the Emmaus Academy Company Board of Directors and as such, communication and links are put into place to ensure that there is cohesion and clarity among and between all of the schools within the Catholic Academy. We also welcome views from our parents and supporters. If you would like to get in touch with me at any time, please contact the senior office manager at the school.

Mr Matthew Higgins
Chair

Local Governing Body Register of Interests and Information

If you are interested in becoming a Foundation Governor at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School, please contact our MAC Governance Lead, Kerry-Ann holden on kholden@emmausmac.com for further information.

OLoF LGB information

OLoF LGB Meeting Attendance 2024 25

Governor Profiles

Matthew Higgins (Chair, Safeguarding Governor)

Link Governor area: Safeguarding and Filtering and Monitoring/Cyber Security, Attendance, Recruitment and Health & Safety

Profile:

I have been a member of Our Lady of Fatima Local Governing Body since September 2019 when I was initially appointed as a Parent Governor. I have 2 children one who went through the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic school and is now at Hagley and my youngest who is currently in year 5.

We attend Our Lady of Fatima church and both of my daughters have read in mass regularly.

In my professional life I am in Finance, mortgages in particular, where I speak with clients to enable to gain the home of their dreams.

I thoroughly enjoy everything I do with Our Lady of Fatima and was fortunate enough to take the position of Chair in 2023 following our previous Chair standing down and I hope I can support the school and provide the help and clarity as much as she and our governing body have to date.

In my spare time I enjoy running, Golf and love my football, as well as all of the many activities that we do as family.

Dr Andrew Morris (Vice-Chair)

Role on LGB: Vice Chair

Link Governor area: Maths, PE

Profile:

I am an Associate Professor in Mathematics at the University of Birmingham. I attended Catholic schools in Australia and have a longstanding passion for education. I have worked in mathematics research and teaching at universities in the UK and the USA since 2010. My research concerns the mathematical analysis of wave propagation in rough geometric environments. I became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2017. I am also the Link Governor for English and Physical Education at Our Lady of Fatima.

Michael Rayson-Leese

Role on LGB: Staff Governor

Profile:

Having once attended Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School as a pupil, I am now incredibly proud to serve as the school’s Vice Principal. In this role, I hold a wide range of responsibilities that contribute to the overall success and well-being of our school community.

I serve as the school's Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring that all students receive the support and care they need to thrive. Additionally, I oversee key areas such as Mathematics, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), and Behaviour, working collaboratively with staff and parents to create an inclusive, supportive, and positive learning environment for every child.

Alexandria Field

Role on LGB: Foundation Governor

Link Governor areas: Foundation Curriculum, Science

Profile:

From attending Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School as a pupil, I am really excited to be able to continue to work with the school as a Foundation Governor.

Professionally, I am a Geography Teacher and work at St Edmund Campion Catholic School in Erdington. Having previously being Head of Geography, I have now taken on the role of Lead Practitioner, meaning I support with improving quality of education across the whole school, with a particular focus on Key Stage 3.

I attend mass at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church and this is where my daughter was also baptised. I am looking forward to starting to support with the Children's Liturgy on a Sunday also.

Michael Woods

Role on LGB: Foundation Governor

Link Governor areas: Prayer and Liturgy, Catholic Life and RE, Wellbeing

Profile:

I have been serving as a Foundation Governor at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Primary School for the past two years and thoroughly enjoy supporting the school and wider community in this capacity. I am committed to upholding the school’s values and maintaining the high standards it sets for itself.

Professionally, I work in further education and bring over 20 years of experience across teaching, leadership, and quality assurance roles. I am a qualified safeguarding instructor and have contributed to numerous Ofsted inspections over the years. These experiences have given me valuable insights that I am proud to bring to my role as governor.

I also regularly attend Mass at Our Lady of Fatima Church and actively contribute to parish life, helping to organise events and support the community. I value the strong links between the school and the parish and feel privileged to play a role in both.

Annette Browne

Role on LGB: Foundation Governor

Link governor areas: SEND, PP

I was appointed as a Foundation Governor in November 2025 and I am committed to supporting the school to ensure we achieve the best outcomes for our children.

Professionally, I am a business consultant with particular expertise in the fashion and lifestyle sectors. I generally advise 'start up' companies on launch and growth strategies and I am the co-founder of a luxury wellness brand. I enjoy serving my community and currently also sit as a Magistrate at the criminal court in Birmingham.

My regular place of worship is St Chads Cathedral in Birmingham.

Jennie Green

Role on LGB: Parent Governor

Link governor areas: EYFS, Phonics and Writing (English), Recruitment

Being a former pupil of Our Lady of Fatima, I was delighted to be able to join the LGB in June 2025 as Parent Governor. Having experience within recruitment, I have been able to support the school with the hiring process for new staff, and hope to be able to remain involved in this area.

The sense of community at Our Lady of Fatima has always been strong; I am keen to help the school to continue to provide the best possible experience for its pupils, parents and staff. As well as being a Governor, I also Chair the school’s PTA; I have fond memories of the many PTA events and initiatives during my time as a pupil, and would like the school’s current and future pupils to feel the same about their time here.