OUR GOVERNORS

A group of Governors is called a Governing Body. It is the Governors’ role to make sure that the school provides the children with a good quality education.

The Governing Body meets once a term with two further committee meetings each term which cover:

• Resources
• Standards & Curriculum 

Find out a little more about our Governors:

John Jordan - Chair of Governors - Foundation Governor

I am a retired Manufacturing Manager and was persuaded by my parish priest to serve as a governor at St Oswald's since 2006. I have been Chair of Govenors since 2008 working with the past four Headteachers.
My family and my faith are of upmost importance in my life and I have been happy to support other families through my work at St. Oswald's and also to bring the skills and
experience from my working life into school.

Jessica Collinge - Staff Governor

My name is Jessica Collinge and I am the staff governor for St Oswald's school.
After completing a BA honours in Special Educational Needs with qualified teacher status (QTS), I took up my first teaching post here at St. Oswald's in 2009 working in year 5 and 6 and I've been here ever since.
Within school, I am responsible for the Literacy and Religious Education aspects of the curriculum and I also lead the GIFT team.
I hope to bring the experience I have gained and my knowledge of the school to the governing body.
I firmly believe that St. Oswald's is an outstanding school and I am incredibly proud to be part of the team.

Marie Leaver - Foundation Governor

I have been a foundation Governor at St. Oswald’s R.C. Primary School since 2010. I was happy to take on the role as I have always worked in education, being a primary school teacher for 35 years. Also, I have an association with the school as I was a teacher at St Oswald’s for almost 10 years from 1975 to 1985; it was during this period that the school was burnt down and the fight for the present building took place. As well as this, my mother was a secretary of the school for a number of years. When, on retirement, I was asked to be a governor, it was an easy decision to make and it is a privilege to be involved with the hardworking and dedicated staff who make St Oswald’s such an outstanding school.

As a governor, I hope to support the other governors, staff and children through the meetings, observations and courses that all the governors undertake. Where possible, I also try to attend masses, performances and fund raising activities.

Bernadette Garland - Parent Governor

I am thrilled to have joined the Governing Body in September 2021. My little boy started at St Oswald's in 2021 and I worship at St Mary’s Church. I have been a teacher most of my adult life teaching children with Profound Multiple Learning Difficulties and Autism. When I moved to Accrington, I became an Advocate for both adults and children who lacked capacity or were under Local Authority Care.

Music plays an important part of my life and I currently play the Clarinet in 2 Concert Bands. I also played and sang in both the National Youth orchestra and National Youth Choir.
I believe St Oswald's lives up to its Outstanding status. The dedication of the staff is a testament to this. I have watched my child, and indeed other children, flourish and become confident, caring, respectful individuals.
As a Governor and a parent I hope I can make a small contribution to all aspects of school life and look forward to my journey in the pursuit of this .

Damian Georgy - Foundation Governor

I am a Foundation Governor, having been appointed in August 2017. I work as a Senior Commercial & Procurement Manager in a large multinational company and believe my education and experience will be an asset to the management and administration of the school through the Governing Body.

My religion plays an important part in my life and I aim to ensure the school is conducted in accordance with the rites, practices and traditions of the Roman Catholic Faith.

I am a father of four children, one of which attends the nursery at St. Oswald's. I firmly believe all young children should have access to excellent education through fun and engagement in a happy and secure environment.

The commitment and dedication of the staff, governors and all involved truly make St Oswald's an outstanding school (not just in Ofsted status) and I am very happy to be a part of the team. 

Mr. Georgy is also a Foundation Governor at St. Mary's RC School, Oswaldtwistle.

Sue Warburton - Associate Governor

My four sons attended St Oswald's and I have been involved with the PTFA for many years. I have served on the Governing Body as a Parent Governor and also a Foundation Governor. I work at the school as both a welfare assistant and a teaching assistant. I am very proud to be linked to St Oswald's RC School and enjoy working with the children and staff. Through the Parent / Child courses, I have been able to meet and work closely with parents. I love every minute of my time here at school and hope to give you many more years service.

Catherine Smith - LEA Governor

I am proud to be a Governor at this lovely school. I live locally and know many of the families at school very well.

In my capacity as a Family Support Worker, I provide services to St Oswald's and another local Primary school - some of you may know me in this capacity.  I take great pleasure and pride in helping the children and families at both of the schools, supporting with safeguarding, emotional well-being and any issues that may pop up from time to time in our lives.

I do feel very privileged to be part of the St. Oswald’s family. 

Helen Slinger - Foundation Governor

I was appointed foundation governor in July 2019.
I started to attend St Mary’s church in April 2018 attending mass on a weekly basis with my 2 children who both attend St Oswald's . In April 2019, my son and I took our first holy communion and were confirmed into the Catholic Church . I enjoy helping out with church events and getting involved with the parish .
I am looking forward to being part of St Oswald's family . I truly believe St Oswald's is an outstanding school in all aspects, as a parent, I see how my children have flourished and grown at this school. I hope to get involved with school trips and events .
In my spare time I enjoy outdoor activities with my family and running .

Rachel Bamford - Foundation Governor

I was appointed Foundation governor in July 2024. I live in Oswaldtwistle and I was Baptised into St Mary’s Parish as a baby. I have been lucky to have grown up within the parish, celebrating the sacraments for myself and with my four children (one of which attends St Oswald’s). I am a member of the PTFA in school, I also am a member of Mount Carmel PTFA and was a member of St Mary’s PTFA several years ago, all of which have allowed me to be active in events at school for all my children, and be a part of the school community. I thoroughly enjoy helping and supporting events it is a privilege to see the school community come together and have fun.
I work predominantly as a Sustainability consultant, but I am also heavily involved in environmental permitting and audit Quality, Environment, Health and Safety, and Energy Management systems. My job continuously stresses the importance of Governance in order for any organisation to operate effectively, it also requires attention to detail, and ensuring compliance is maintained at all times.
I look forward to supporting the Governing body at St Oswald’s to ensure our St Oswald’s family is fully supported and continues to thrive.

Emma Charlesworth - Parent Governor 

I have recently graduated with a psychology, psychotherapy and counselling degree in August 2023. Since completing my studies, I thought that my education might come in useful for the parent governor position at St. Oswald’s, to contribute my ideas into anything that might offer your child(ren), and my own, a positive educational experience in school.
Since my little boy started here, he has flourished, thrived, and found his confident stride. His needs are nurtured and monitored, and communicated back to me clearly. Each morning, I see the head teacher outside in any weather condition, making sure that the safety of your child is monitored. Some mornings are injected with positive reinforcement, i.e hotspot days, to encourage your child(ren) to want to come into school on time. I have been in during parent/child activity sessions and watched the teachers put their all into what they do, it’s hard not to notice their passion.
During governor meetings, I see their fight to make sure that your child(ren) have the funding, and equipment needed to make sure that the quality of education is the best that it can be.
It is my pleasure, and an honour to take the position of parent governor at such a fantastic school.

Terry Coogan - Vice Chair - Foundation Governor 

On Wednesday 29th January 2025, we bade a sad farewell to one of our St Oswald's family, Terry Coogan who passed away earlier this month. Terry has had connections to our school for many years, serving as a Governor here for 25 years, and attending many events with his children and grandchildren.

He firmly believed that every child deserves a good education to enable them to achieve their potential in life and joined the governing body of St. Oswald's in order to make a small contribution towards this.

He always acknowledged the great efforts made by the talented staff, enthusiastic pupils and supportive parents at St. Oswald's and felt that it was the team efforts which are a contributory factor to this school's happiness and success. 

Terry was an Accrington Stanley fan, and he was always eager to accompany the Year 3 children on their annual trip to the Wham Stadium to receive their free shirts and encouraged them to learn some of the songs too!

He will be greatly missed by us all but his legacy here will live on for many years to come.

Rest in Peace, Terry, and thank you for all you have done for us.