Governors
Schools in the Catholic Parish of Saints Mary and Margaret.
The Catholic Parish of Saints Mary and Margaret covers the Ulverston and Dalton areas of Furness. The parish has two churches [St Mary of Furness in Ulverston and Our Lady of the Rosary and St Margaret of Scotland in Dalton], and two schools [St Mary’s in Ulverston and Our Lady of the Rosary in Dalton]. Each school has its own Local Governing Body [LGB] and both schools are part of the Mater Christi MultiAcademy Trust [MAT]. The MAT sets overall strategic objectives across all schools in its jurisdiction, and each LGB is responsible for interpreting these objectives within the context of the school concerned. As both schools are part of the same parish family, they aim to work together to provide mutual support, and to share a desire to "lovingly learn together in harmony" and be “beacons of love, joy, calmness and hope”.
To this end:
a) although each school has its own LGB, those members appointed by the Diocese of Lancaster, the "Foundation Governors", serve on both bodies;
(b) the head teachers are encouraged to offer one another mutual support and, where appropriate, work together to develop shared policies, within the overall framework set by the MAT;
(c) where both schools share the same resources (for example, the parish priest will say Mass in both schools) the schools work together to harmonise events and diaries;
(d) the parish newsletter publicises events and developments at both schools, encouraging parishioners to treat both schools as belonging to the same parish family;
(e) in both schools, the school uniforms, newsletters, formal documents and signage bear a common logo, encouraging parents and pupils to view their school as part of the wider parish;
(f) where it is judged appropriate to use a collective term to refer to both schools, they may be referred to as the Schools in the Catholic Parish of Saints Mary and Margaret.
May 2026
Local Governing Body: Our Lady of the Rosary
Local Governing Body: St Mary’s
Members of the Governing Body & terms of office.
The Governing Body comprises of 11 members - 1 Headteacher, 7 Foundation Governors, 2 Parent Governors and 1 Staff Governor.
Current members are as follows: -
Mrs Clare Rowland Smith - Headteacher, St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, Ulverston. Ex-officio. Term of office commenced 14th April 2026.
Mrs Adele Field - Assistant Headteacher, St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, Ulverston - Advisor.
* Headteacher term of office ends when employment ceases.
Foundation Governors. (Appointed by Bishop/ Diocese of Lancaster).
Mr Neil McLaughlin Cook. (Chair of Governors). 09/09/2022 to 08/09/2026. neil.mclaughlincook@furnesscatholicfederation.cumbria.sch.uk
Mrs Jane Ellingham. (Vice Chair of Governors). 30/06/2023 to 29/06/2027.
Fr. James Burns. 21/10/2022 to 20/10/2026.
Mrs Donna Sewell. 09/09/2022 to 08/09/2026.
Mrs Sheelagh Armistead. 16/02/2024 to 15/02/2028.
Mrs Kristy Foley. 29/05/2025 to 28/05/2029.
Mrs Elisabeth Fenwick. 20/03/2026 to 19/03/2030.
Other Governors.
Mrs Sinead Dixon. Parent Governor. Elected by parents/ carers. 23/02/2024 to 22/02/2028.
Mrs Leigh Baumber. Parent Governor. Elected by parents/ carers. 7/11/2025 to 6/11/2029.
Mrs Jelena Parker. Staff Governor. Elected by school staff. 19/11/2025 to 18/11/2029.
School Business Manager.
Mr Paul Lewis. No voting rights.
Clerk.
Mrs Rachel Jewell. No voting rights.
Declaration of Personal and Pecuniary Interests 2025 - 2026.
Mrs Clare Rowland-Smith. TBC
Mrs Adele Field. None.
Fr. James Burns. None.
Mr Neil McLaughlin Cook. None.
Mrs Donna Sewell. None.
Mrs Jane Ellingham. Works for local educational publishing company./ Family member works as supply teacher in local area.
Mrs Sheelagh Armistead. None.
Mrs Kristy Foley. None.
Mrs Elisabeth Fenwick. TBC.
Mrs Sinead Dixon. None.
Mrs Leigh Baumber. None.
Mrs Jelena Parker. None.
Mr Paul Lewis. (School Business Manager). Family member employed by Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Barrow.
Mrs Rachel Jewell (Clerk). None.
Resignations.
Mrs Mary Page. Foundation Governor. Term of office 24/02/2023 to 23/02/2027. Resigned 31/08/2025. Declaration of personal and pecuniary interests - Chair of Governors for Federation and St. Cuthbert's.
Mrs Laura Byrne. Ex Officio. Resigned from LGB 12th April 2026. Declaration of personal and pecuniar interests - None.