Governors (ID 1164)

• Mike Morrison
  Chair of Governors
  Mike Morrison

  I have been a Governor at St Francis Xavier since 2013, having previously been a governor at Sacred Heart primary school, Northallerton for 10 years. It has been a pleasure to work with the great team within SFX supporting them to deliver the best education we can achieve for our children. Having had four children pass through SFX we’re grateful for the education they have received and trust with my experience in school governance I can continue to support the school going forward.

• Fr John Bane
  Foundation Governor RC
  Fr John Bane

  I have been fortunate to serve as Chaplain and/or Governor in a variety of primary and secondary schools in Middlesbrough, Hull, Scarborough and York. It is a great pleasure to now be part of the school community at St Francis Xavier. Parents can be reassured that the high dedication of both staff and governors will provide students with an abundance of opportunities for academic and personal development. The joint Anglican and Roman Catholic ethos of the school brings further and deeper dimensions to the education SFX provides.

• Michael Burns
  Executive Headteacher
  Michael Burns

  It is a great honour to be the executive head teacher at St Francis Xavier school. I have worked in education since September 2000, first as a technology teacher and then a senior leader since 2012. I have worked in schools all over the north east of England, specialising in school improvement, turning the most challenging schools around to be good and Outstanding schools. I am looking forward to working with and supporting the outstanding staff and pupils of this wonderful school.

• John Lynch
  Foundation Governor RC
  John Lynch

  We moved to Richmond in 2003, and my two daughters attended Richmond school, before they went off to university. I have worked in social work since the early 1980's, while my wife's role was within the child psychology field. Since retirement we spend time in France and Ireland ( I am from an Irish Catholic family), and next year aim to complete a further long distance cycle ride along the Iron Curtain route the Eurolevo 11. I can bring to the Governor's team my knowledge and experience from my previous professional social work role and from within the liberal Catholic framework.

• Revd Martin Fletcher
  Foundation Governor CofE
  Revd Martin Fletcher

  As the Anglican Rector of Richmond it is my privilege to be an ex-officio governor at our unique school. The joint Roman Catholic and Anglican ethos enables the school vision to be realised with vibrancy. Having been in parish ministry for over 20 years I have served in Richmond since 2018. I am committed to playing my part in enabling the school to offer a consistently high quality of education and to encourage the personal growth of each student.

• David Henderson
  Parent Governor
  David Henderson

  I have two children in school, one in year 11 and one in year 8. We moved to the catchment area of the school specifically to get our children into SFX. I wanted to become a Governor at the school in order to support the school in all of its activities and work as a link between the school and the parent body.

  I have been a teacher of mathematics , head of mathematics, a deputy head and for the past 20 years the head teacher of a secondary school in Darlington. In my final year of headship, I was invited to take over a second school in Darlington which sadly had been placed in special measures. After retirement I took over a school in Richmond, London for a year and then spent the next years working in school improvement, school inspection and raising achievement in all areas, especially maths.

  I shall endeavour to support the school in any way I can, in order that it prospers in the future and  retains its outstanding status.

• Katharine Perry
  Foundation governor CofE
  Katharine Perry

  I worked in primary schools in Lancashire, Derbyshire and Somerset for many years as a class teacher, supply teacher and in-school tutor of maths and English to children needing catch up or extension activities.

  I attended church schools as a pupil, as did my three sons. I moved to the Richmond area in 2020; I love it here and look forward to becoming part of the SFX community.

• Timothy Shaw
  Parent Governor
  Timothy Shaw

  I have two children, one who is currently in year 9 and one who will be joining SFX in September. My wife is currently a parent governor at a local primary school and it seemed only fitting to follow in the family tradition and join the governing body at SFX. In doing so I hope to support the
  all ready fantastic work being done in and around the curriculum and enrichment areas.

  
  I have been a teacher of science for the last 23 years, holding a variety of roles including key stage co-ordinator, second in department, and in my current role as head of department in a very large comprehensive school in
  Teesside. I am still immensely passionate about education and wish to share my experiences and improve the life choices of the young individuals at SFX.

  
  I will endeavour to support the head teacher, senior leadership team, and other governor’s in continuing to provide a wholesome education with positive outcomes at SFX.

• Emma Brownson
  Staff Governor
  Emma Brownson

  It is a pleasure to be a teacher of Computer Science here at SFX school, where the strong ethos of community spirit enables students to achieve their goals.

  I am committed to supporting the personal development and academic outcomes of all learners. Â Recently, I completed my National Professional Qualifications in School Leadership, which involved leading a whole school project designed to raise awareness and achievement of disadvantaged learners.

  Â I am looking forward to representing the staff and contributing to the continued success of St Francis Xavier School in my new role as staff governor.

• Annette Sowden
  Foundation Governor RC
  Annette Sowden

  30 years ago I joined the family firm. Or that's what it felt like at the time; I come from a family that includes 12 teachers. I fought the calling for two years but the force was too strong. So here I am 30 years later still as passionate, if not more, about doing what is best for the children in our schools.

  In terms of experience I have had a varied career working in roles both in and for schools, as a classroom teacher, an LA Advisory Teacher, a Numeracy Consultant and for the past 12 years a Headteacher.

  As Headteacher I have worked in a variety of schools. Some have been classed as failing and been turned around. Another with Enhanced Mainstream Provision for Behaviour, a situation that brought its own unique challenges both good and bad. I was also the Headteacher of a rural school forced to close due to a falling roll, working with a community devastated by the loss of their school.

  I am passionate about children. It's not just about the service we provide but the future we provide for the young people in our schools today and our country. Not since the 1940s has the future been so uncertain and we need to equip the prospective leaders of industry, commerce and families with the skills to make the right decisions for their communities and society as a whole.

• Mark Harrison
  Foundation Governor RC
  Mark Harrison

  As a teacher for 37 years, with experience of both Catholic 11-18 schools, where I taught RE in a Sixth Form college where I was responsible for Philosophy and Ethics and some music, I regard it as an honour to serve as a governor at such an excellent school as SFX.

  Retired since 2015, I am involved in local ESOL teaching and many musical activities, one of which is helping to lead liturgical music at SS Joseph and Francis Xavier.

  I am a keen walker in the Dales and the Lake District and have, since retirement, set myself the improbable challenge of walking the coast of Britain! I am married to Anne and we have lived in Richmond since 2003.

• Julia Chapman
  Foundation Governor CofE
  Julia Chapman

  I've worked in the public sector for nearly 40 years, including in the police, the civil service, and local authority children's and social services, with my last full time job being at SFX providing PA support to the Headteacher. For the last 4 years I've worked in part time roles (including at SFX) and I'm currently a wedding registrar in Richmond and the Dales.

  I've worshipped at St Mary's Cof E Church in Richmond for 10 years, prior to that I served on the Parochial Church Council at St James the Great in Darlington and St James Garlickhythe in London.

  I believe SFX is a truly unique and inspiring place for all our young students to flourish and I'm delighted to bring my work and life experience, and Christian faith to the governor role.

• Sharon Smith.
  Foundation Governor RC
  Sharon Smith.

  I originally trained as a nurse and have been working for the NHS in the field of Genetics for the last 25 years. This has included being part of education programmes for those involved in scientific studies. I moved to North Yorkshire 20 years ago and have 2 daughters, both of whom have attended St Francis Xavier. I am looking forward to supporting the head teacher, their team and the school as a whole, to continue their outstanding work in education, and encourage Christian values that are the basis for both the Catholic and C of E faiths.