Governors
Our Governing Body
The Governing Body of St Paul’s Catholic College plays a vital role in the life of our school. As a group of dedicated volunteers, governors work in partnership with the Headteacher and leadership team to ensure the school remains true to its Catholic mission, delivers the highest standards of education, and supports the wellbeing of every student.
Our governors bring a diverse range of expertise and experience, and share a deep commitment to serving our school community. They help shape the strategic direction of the school, hold leaders to account, and ensure we continue to flourish both academically and spiritually.
Governor Responsibilities & Aims
The core responsibilities of the Governing Body are:
- Ensuring the school’s vision, Catholic ethos, and strategic direction are upheld.
- Holding the Headteacher and leadership team to account for the quality of education, student outcomes, and staff development.
- Overseeing the school’s financial performance to ensure effective use of resources and long-term sustainability.
- Supporting the wellbeing of students and staff and ensuring that every child is known, valued, and encouraged to thrive.
Local Governance Structure
The diagram shows how governance is structured within St Paul’s Catholic College, outlining the key roles and responsibilities of our Local Governing Body
Meet the Team
Governors come from a range of backgrounds and include parent, staff, and foundation governors, each contributing a different perspective and skill set to school leadership.
Mr Rob Carter
Executive Headteacher
Mr Rob Carter was appointed Headteacher of St Paul’s in April 2009, having previously served as Deputy Head since 2007. Under his leadership, the school has achieved exceptional academic success, with results consistently placing St Paul’s in the top 10% nationally and among the top 100 state schools at both GCSE and A level.
In addition to his role at St Paul’s, Rob leads the Inspire Teaching School Alliance and the Sussex Maths Hub, supporting school improvement and raising achievement across the region. He is also a designated National Leader of Education, with experience in teacher training, leadership development, and pupil premium reviews.
Rob is a proud parent of two children, one of whom currently attends the school.
Mr Richard Goddard
Chair of Governors
Mr Richard Goddard has served as both a Foundation Governor and Local Authority Governor at St Paul’s since 2004, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted commitment to the school. A former local councillor and mayor, he has supported the community through a wide range of civic and educational roles. As a magistrate and local business owner, he offers strong leadership paired with a grounded understanding of local needs.
A parent of three children currently at St Paul’s, Mr Goddard is personally invested in the life and success of the school. His own journey into the Catholic faith, and his involvement on the Project Committee during the school’s construction, speak to his passion for faith and education. With significant experience chairing committees, both as a councillor and as a governor, he continues to be a highly respected and influential presence on the governing body.
Mrs Bernadette Heppell
Chair of Learning & Ethos Committee / Foundation Governor
Mrs Bernadette Heppell recently completed her term as a dedicated Parent Governor, during which she made a significant contribution to the life of St Paul’s School. With a professional background as a manager in the service industry in Surrey, she brings valuable expertise in finance and management.
Deeply committed to supporting Catholic education, Mrs Heppell has shown consistent dedication through her active participation in nearly all committee meetings and working parties. She also served as Chair of the Jubilee Organising Committee from 2013 to 2014, demonstrating her leadership and enthusiasm for school and community events.
Her ongoing involvement continues to reflect her strong support for the mission and values of St Paul’s.
Ms Sally Stewart
Vice Chair of Governors
Ms Sally Stewart has served as a Parent Governor since 2018, bringing valuable insight and commitment to the school community. She is a dedicated parent with a daughter currently attending St. Paul’s.
Actively involved in her parish, she also brings a professional background as a former Safeguarding Solicitor, offering important expertise in child protection and welfare. Her passion for supporting children’s education and wellbeing is evident in all she does.
Ms Louise Murphy
Foundation Governor
Ms Louise Murphy brings over 24 years of experience working across NHS and Social Care services, offering a deep understanding of governance, assurance, and accountability within public bodies.
A person of strong Catholic faith, she has a child at St. Wilfrid’s and close family ties to St. Paul’s, with several relatives having been educated there. She is passionate about ensuring the school’s ethos and vision are truly lived out in the daily experiences of the children.
As Link Governor for English and Sociology/Psychology, she plays a key role in supporting academic development and pastoral care within the school.
Mr Gavin Parker
Chair of Resources Committee / Parent Governor
Mr Gavin Parker is a dedicated father of two, with one child currently attending St. Paul’s. He holds a BSc (Hons, RCS) in Biochemistry from Imperial College London and brings a wealth of experience as a professional International Corporate Banker, with expertise in senior leadership and strategic planning.
In addition to his professional work, he serves as a Trustee for an international animal charity, contributing to its People, Corporate Fundraising, and Finance committees.
He is passionate about ensuring that every child receives a holistic education—one that balances academic excellence with physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Ms Ruth De Mierre
Foundation Governor
Ms Ruth De Mierre has lived and worked in Sussex for over 50 years and is a proud mother of two sons and grandmother to four lovely grandchildren. An active member of Our Lady of Fatima and St. Paul’s Parish, she is deeply committed to community service.
She serves as Vice Chairman of the Haywards Heath Dementia Friendly Community and is Chairman of the Town Team, working to bring people together and support the local economy.
In her role as a District Councillor, she also serves as the Mid Sussex District Council Cabinet Member for Customer Services, bringing valuable experience in public service and community engagement to the governing body.
Mr Ron Ekins
Foundation Governor
Mr Ron Ekins is an experienced Enterprise Architect with a specialism in data management and governance, bringing over 30 years of expertise across the defence, aerospace, and financial sectors. A Foundation Governor for more than 17 years, he previously served as Chair of Governors at St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School.
He is a committed advocate for Catholic education and its continued growth and development. An active member of St. Paul’s Parish, he is also a devoted father of four, with one child currently attending St. Paul’s.
His deep experience and dedication greatly enrich the work of the governing body.
Mr Richard Aldous
Foundation Governor
Mr Richard Aldous is a Foundation Governor and proud father of two children currently attending St. Paul’s Catholic College. He holds degrees in both Finance and Mechanical Engineering, and brings a strong background in strategy development and implementation.
His international experience spans the FMCG, Banking, Mining, and Management Consulting industries. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys woodwork, mountain biking, and art, bringing creativity and a well-rounded perspective to his role on the governing body.
Mr Stewart Hale
Parent Governor
Mr Stuart Hale is a Parent Governor at St. Paul’s Catholic College, bringing a valuable parental perspective to the governing body. Committed to supporting the school community, they play an important role in helping to uphold the values and vision of the college.
Mr Michael Joyce
Staff Governor
Mr Michael Joyce began his journey at St. Paul’s as a student teacher in 2013 and has been Subject Leader for Drama since 2019. A dedicated educator and father of two, his daughter currently attends a BOSCO primary school.
He is passionate about providing students with enriching opportunities that broaden their horizons, and is equally committed to exploring meaningful strategies to support and enhance staff well-being.
His long-standing connection to the school and focus on both student and staff development make him a valued member of the governing body.
Reports & Documents
The documents below provide key information about the governance of St Paul’s Catholic College. They reflect our commitment to transparency, accountability, and high standards in school leadership.
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Outlines the local governing committee (LGC) constitution for a Catholic education trust school. |
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Records attendance at governing body meetings, ensuring active participation and accountability. |
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Records attendance at governing body meetings, ensuring active participation and accountability. |
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Lists governors’ committee roles and any business interests, promoting transparency and accountability.
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Lists dates of meetings for the academic year |
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Declares any personal or financial interests governors may have to ensure openness and impartiality. |
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Outlines the purpose, structure, and responsibilities of the governing body and its committees. |
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Records attendance at governing body meetings, ensuring active participation and accountability. |
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A legal document that outlines how the governing body is constituted and the number/types of governors. |
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Sets out the rules for running the academy trust, including governance structure and powers. (B indicates Trust-wide document) |
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Explains which responsibilities are held at Trust level and which are delegated to the Local Governing Body. |
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A summary of the Trust’s performance, finances and strategic aims over the past year. |
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The founding document of the Trust that establishes it as a legal entity. |
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Lists all current governors, their categories, and the dates of their terms of office. |
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Declares any personal or financial interests governors may have to ensure openness and impartiality. |
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Details of previous Trust members for reference and transparency. |
Local Governance and the Bosco Catholic Education Trust
St Paul’s Catholic College is part of the Bosco Catholic Education Trust, a family of schools united by shared values and a commitment to high standards. While our Local Governing Body (LGB) plays a crucial role in overseeing the life of the school, supporting leadership, monitoring performance, and preserving our Catholic ethos, it operates within the wider structure of Trust governance.
The Board of Trustees is the legal governing body of the Trust and holds ultimate accountability for all schools within it. Trustees are responsible for setting the overall strategic vision, ensuring financial compliance, and maintaining statutory responsibilities. The LGB works in partnership with the Trust, with certain responsibilities delegated through the Scheme of Delegation, allowing local governors to focus on the specific needs of St Paul’s while contributing to the shared mission of Bosco.
You can read more about the Trust’s governance structure and responsibilities on the Bosco Catholic Education Trust website.
Anyone wishing to access minutes from any of the LGC meetings should contact [email protected].
