Governors are one of the largest volunteer forces in the country and have an important part to play in raising school standards. The role of the governing body is absolutely key to the effectiveness of a school.
Governors at St Mary’s
At St Mary’s we are delighted to have a group of governors from a range of different experiences and backgrounds.
The Governors include parents, staff and people from the local community and the church.
The Governing body at St Mary’s meets once a term. There are three subcommittees that meet more often. These are:
Resources – looks after the budget and staffing
Standards and Curriculum – looks at what the children are learning and how well they are doing
Family and Community – looks at how the school works with parents and the wider local community
Who are we?
Eric Sorenson ~ Foundation Governor, Chair of Governing Body and Link Governor for Safeguarding and EYFS
Tim Dean ~ Foundation Governor, Chair of Standards and Curriculum Committee and Link Governor for English and Maths
St Mary’s Vicar ~ Foundation Governor and Link Governor for Religious Education and Worship
Amy Rodwell ~ Foundation Governor and Link Governor for SEN
Steve Dudley ~ Parent Governor and Link Governor for Premises
Ann Dwulit ~ Foundation Governor
Nikola Carter ~ Parent Governor
Veronica Coulson ~ Foundation Governor
John Woolf ~ Governor
Eric Sorenson
Tim Dean
I have been a Governor at St Mary’s for over 10 years. I am chair of the Standards and Curriculum Committee that looks at what the children are learning and how they are progressing at St Mary’s. I live in locally so getting to meetings is very easy for me.
I believe that giving children the very best education in the early years of their lives is very important and helps them to go on to make the most of all the opportunities they will have in later life.
St Mary’s is a very good school. Our test results are not only some of the best in Islington but they are among the best in the whole of England. This is due to the hard work of all the teachers and supporting staff and, of course, to the children.
It is a pleasure to be a governor at St Mary’s. It is welcoming, friendly and provides an excellent education for all its children – everything a local community School should be.
Steve Dudley
I currently have 2 children in St Mary’s, and have been around the school for a number of years, I become a Parent governor in 2017, my goals for becoming a governor was to make the whole school experience better for the children and helping the school deliver that.
In my day Job I run a Roofing company, and have been in the construction trade for the past 17 years.
Ann Dwulit
I am executive head teacher of a federation between St Luke’s Church of England Primary School and Moreland Primary School, both in EC1.
Previously I was head teacher of St Mary’s Church of England School in Hackney for six years.
I became a head teacher and recently a Governor at St Mary’s to make a difference to the lives of children. We are looking after precious children who deserve the best start in life. We are in a prime position to enable children’s learning so they make good progress which means they have an exciting future they can aspire to.
Amy Rodwell
I have been a foundation governor at St Mary’s since June 2015, and I chair the Children and Families Committee.
I have enjoyed seeing the school evolve over the last three years and am excited to see what the future holds for St Mary’s as I am sure it will be bright.
In my day job, I work in finance for a children’s charity which is dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people. Primary education for all children is so important, and it is important that we do it right.
Veronica Coulson
Having moved back to Islington after 19 years living in Highgate and returned to St Mary’s Church, I am now delighted to be able to join more fully in the local community by being a governor at this School. (I also have a bit more time as my youngest is at university!) My first career was as a barrister, specialising in family and children work. I then enjoyed some time at home with my 3 children and was able to be involved in local issues and with my local church, for whom I then worked part time for 3 years. During this time, I was a governor for 7 years of a co-educational, foundation boarding school. Since autumn 2007, I have been teaching the vocational course for barristers at City, University of London; the best part of my job is helping our students develop their skills in persuasive argument. I hope that my experience and skills can be of use to the School.
Dr John Wolf
I am a historian, writer and Councilor. I work across TV, radio and nonfiction writing, most recently co-writing ‘Stephen Fry’s Victorian Secrets’ and my debut book, ‘The Wonders’, while also teaching history and politics and helping students with applications to Oxford and Cambridge, my alma mater. I am also a Councilor for Canonbury, Islington, and am actively involved in my community, my church and St Mary’s School. I am proud to work with a school that puts children at the heart of everything they do; a school which is driven by a Christian ethos that is uplifting, tolerant and welcoming to all. I hope that children leave with a passion for learning and ambitions for their future, aware of what unites us and how they can contribute to the world.
Nikola Carter
