Who are we?

This page shares information about our governing body. According the NGA (National Governance Association), the governing body are responsible for working with the school to ensure that it delivers a good quality education. Together, with the headteacher, who is responsible for day to day management, they set the school aims and policies. 

The governing board provides strategic leadership and accountability in schools. It has 3 key functions:

• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. 
• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils. 
• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.

The governing body meet every half term. In addition, there are two sub-committee groups. These are:

• The Finance & Executive Committee. This sub-group take responsibility for finance, staffing and building matters. 
• The Standards & Achievement Committee. This sub-group takes responsibility for teaching, learning and outcomes. 

Please click here to find the Governor register of interests. 

I have worked in education for over 40 years before I retired a couple of years ago.  For the last twenty years, I worked at the University of Leeds and had responsibility for managing their teacher training programmes.  Prior to that, I worked as an advisory teacher in Bradford, and prior to that had several teaching jobs.  I have lived in Riddlesden since 2000 and feel a sense of loyalty to the local community, that is why I put myself forward to be a Governor at Riddlesden St Mary’s.  I had been a governor at another local primary school for ten years so have some experience of the role.   

My interests are football (I help manage the local junior league, still play once a week and watch Leeds United), cycling, walking and the great outdoors in general, growing vegetables and reading.   

I have been the Vicar of St Mary's Church, Riddlesden since July 2017.  As the Vicar I automatically the Foundation Governor ex officio. I have been a school governor for 29 years, including 16 years as Chair of Governors of a Church of England School in Nottinghamshire.

My name is Claire McGuigan. I have worked at St Mary's for 18 months although I have been in education for over 20 years, working a number of primary schools across Bradford.

I am currently based in Early Years, an area that I have a wealth of experience in. I also run the newly formed P.T.A, am the Mental Health Champion for school and lead the super school choir in tuneful song.

I have an all round vested interest in school and everything that happens in it, as I have 2 children who are pupils within the St Mary's family.

I became a governor because I care passionately about education for each and every child. I want to be part of helping the school to continue to be the amazing, unique and happy place it is, giving our children the best start we possibly can and allowing them to be the best they can be.

I have been a foundation governor at RSMPS since July 2022 and I am the Assistant Curate at St Mary's Church, Riddlesden.  Previously, for six years, I held the position as a foundation governor in another local primary school and during that time the school were judged to be outstanding by OFSTED and SIAMS.  Prior to my ordination in June 2022, I worked for nearly twenty years as a secondary school music teacher, leading Music and Performing Arts.  My last job included whole school responsibility for leading Collective Worship and Christian Ethos giving me the opportunity to build a Christian vision in a newly built academy.  As a musician, I regularly perform with different groups and bands and it has been a blessing to see my own two children benefit from good arts education, something that I know is important to RSMPS too!  I hope that in some small way I can help RSMPS to continue to flourish as a school that truly values and loves everyone in their community.

Appointed:  2nd February 2024

Since my eldest daughter joined RSMPS' three year old provision in 2022 I have been really happy with and interested in the way the school runs.  She is now continuing her journey through the school, while my youngest daughter starts in the three year old provision in 2025.  I have joined the PTA, helping plan and put on fundraising events as well as being part of making the decisions on how best to 'Encourage, Enrich and Enable' pupils and the school community with the money raised.  This is something I look forward to being able to help with more through my experience in my job as a Fundraiser.  I also take a particular interest in music and the performing arts at the school.  My husband and I are both professional opera singers so I recognise the impact the arts can have on every part of education, from reading comprehension, mathematics and languages to self-confidence and emotional expression.

As a member of the congregation of St Mary's Church in Riddlesden I have been accepted as a Foundation Governor and I look forward to ensuring the religious character of the school continues to be reflected in the way it serves our community of all faiths and none.