Local Governing Committee

On 1st February 2026 we joined the Agape Multi-Academy Trust (MAT). Each school within the Agape MAT has its own Local Governing Committee whose role and responsibilities are set out in a scheme of delegation.

If you wish to contact the Local Governing Committee, please email the Governance Professional clerk@shinfield-st-marys.wokingham.sch.uk

Members of the Local Governing Committee

Mrs Philippa Healy - Ex- Officio by virtue of office as Headteacher - Headteacher Shinfield St Marys - Term 24/4/2021

Mrs Jessica Dye - Chair of the Local Governing Committee and Lead Governor for Looked-After Children and Pupil Premium - Appointed by the Trust Board with the consent of the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education.  Term 1/2/2026 - 31/2/2030 

Mrs Charlotte Parsons - Vice Chair of the Local Governing Committee and Lead Governor for SEND, and Able Gifted and Talented  Appointed by the Trust Board with the consent of the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education Term 24/3/2025 - 15/7/2026

Mr Barrie Gilmour  –  Lead Governor for Health and Safety & Health and Wellbeing - Appointed by the Trust with the consent of the Oxford Diocese Board of Education  - Term 23/3/2026 – 15/7/2026

I'm married and have a daughter, who was a pupil at St Mary's and is currently in Year 9 at Emmbrook. We also have a 9 year old dog (Cavachon) called Zoe.

I have a real affinity with Shinfield having spent a lot of time training at the Met Office college, which was situated next to ECMWF. Lenka and I moved into the area in 2010 but we're originally from Prague and Edinburgh.  After 19 years at the Met Office, I've worked primarily within the HR industry working for career coaching, HR technology and relocations companies. I now run my own Sales and Marketing consultancy firm, specialising in helping small to medium size companies take their businesses to various markets.   In my free time, I play golf in the summer and love skiing when we can. I also help with Sophie's bid to be a professional footballer!

Miss Jackie Rance – Lead Governor for Access and Inclusion and Racial Equality -  Appointed by the Trust with the consent of the Oxford Diocese Board of Education – Term - 12/3/2024 -11/3/2028 

I am proud to be a Shinfield St. Marys Foundation Governor. All three of my grandsons have attended this school and loved their years here. My working background is the owner of a small cleaning business for over 25 years, being a Berkshire Magistrate working in Adult Criminal and Family Courts for 15 years, and I am currently a Shinfield Borough and Parish Councillor.

Mr Neil Manthey – Data/IT Link Governor - Parent Governor - Term 10/10/2023 – 9/10/2027 

Neil Manthey is a School Governor with a strong personal connection to the school, having had two children progress through the school. He is keen to support the school community by bringing a parent’s perspective alongside professional experience in IT support and problem‑solving within a large organisation.

Neil has a particular interest in ensuring pupils are supported to achieve their full potential in a safe, inclusive, and well‑resourced environment. As a governor, he aims to provide constructive challenge, support school leadership, and help ensure decisions are made in the best interests of both students and staff.

Reverend Nigel Beer - Lead Governor for RE and Collective Worship - Appointed by the Trust with the consent of the Oxford Diocese Board of Education – term – 1/2/2026 - 31/1/2030 

Nigel is the ordained Team Rector of the four parishes of the Loddon Reach Benefice which includes St Mary's, Shinfield. He is a regular visitor to the school involved in Collective Worship as well as governor visits and is delighted in seeing the growth in the positive link between the school and St Mary's Church. He has a particular interest in maintaining the distinctive Christian ethos of the school.

Mrs Beth Webster – Staff Governor – term 3/3/2025 – 2/3/2029

Role within school – Acting SENCO since 2024

For the past 30 years, I have been involved in working with children who have additional needs.   I started my career by co-owning a Nursery school, spending some time as a TA in a mainstream Secondary school, then moving on to Further Education where I qualified as a Teacher in the FE sector. Most of my teaching was spent in the LLD/D (Learners with Learning Difficulties/and or Disabilities) department. I then became Special Education Manager for the College, securing funding, for and building a specialist ASD centre, which enabled the college to offer provision to students who would have normally been placed out of county. Following this, I moved on to become Group Learning Support Manager for Berkshire, overseeing in excess of 500 students with EHCP’s and ensuring that their needs were met during their time at College. After a short break, thinking that I wanted to retire, it soon became evident that I didn’t!

I have two daughters, and two stepchildren. Also 4 beautiful grandchildren, one of whom has ASD.

I absolutely love working at Shinfield St-Marys Junior School and am privileged to be doing a job that I am passionate about. Advocating for children with additional needs and ensuring that they are able to succeed and have the best education possible is of great importance to me. I have excellent relationships with our external service providers and aim to secure the best outcomes for both the children and the School.

Mrs Susan Porter – Parent Governor – term - 19/4/2026 – 18/4/2030

I am a parent governor at Shinfield St Mary’s Junior School, with one child currently at the school and another due to join soon. My professional background is in education, and I have taught locally for many years. I am currently a deputy headteacher and hope that my experience will support and strengthen the work of the governing body.

I am particularly passionate about high-quality, inclusive education and ensuring that every child is supported to thrive both academically and personally. I strongly believe in developing the whole child and in creating a positive environment where all pupils feel valued, confident and inspired to achieve their potential; working with parents to ensure this is successful.

Mrs Sam Lawless – Staff Governor   term - 1/9/2022 - 31/8/2026

I am the staff governor and Deputy head of Shinfield St Mary’s and currently teach in the upper part of the school. I am honoured to have been a teacher for 26 years across 3 local schools and couldn’t imagine another job that I would cherish as much.

I have three children who are now 21,19 and13 who have been privileged to have been part of the Shinfield community and schools since they were 4. In some form, parent, PTA, teacher and governor I have been part of Shinfield St Mary’s since 2008. That’s a lot of School fetes!

In addition to my teaching role, I utilise my degree in religious studies to support the local RE community and represent teachers on The Standing Advisory Council for RE for Wokingham. This means I have been involved in developing our local syllabus as well as being invited to write plans to support these for the Oxford Diocese.

Nine years ago, I established an extra curriculum club to encourage girls to take part in football. This grew from strength to strength and I found I loved it so I am now co manager of a girls’ youth team for Shinfield Rangers.

Mrs Gill Morris - Lead Governor for Safeguarding -  Appointed by the Trust with the consent of the Oxford Diocese Board of Education – term – 28/1/2025 - 27/1/2029