Illuminated by Christ, we radiate His love
The overall aim of the Governing Body is to ensure the best quality of education for the children of English Martyrs School and to be accountable to parents, the diocese and the local community.
The Governing Body provides support to the Headteacher in the administration of the school and in the effective management of the school budget.
All non-teaching governors are volunteers who meet regularly to discuss a variety of topics and issues. They hold an open forum at parents' evening in October and welcome thoughts and ideas from parents at any time.
Full Governing Body
Deals with general matters across the school and matters raised within the committees.
Deals with general matters across the school and matters raised within the committees.
Standards Committee
Deals with the curriculum, staffing, attainment and all aspects of provision within the Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Deals with the curriculum, staffing, attainment and all aspects of provision within the Early Years Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Resources Committee
Manages the school budget and matters relating to the premises and facilities within the school.
Manages the school budget and matters relating to the premises and facilities within the school.
Patrick Devereux
Executive Headteacher |
Patrick Devereux was appointed Headteacher Governor in September 2025. He is currently the Executive Headteacher of two Catholic Primary Schools in Tower Hamlets, namely English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, Aldgate and Our Lady & St Joseph Catholic Primary School, Poplar. Patrick has worked in education since 2005, working in different London boroughs over this time: Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and Tower Hamlets. Originally from Waterford in Ireland, Patrick studied Computer Science on leaving school and spent approximately 10 years working in industry. Seeking a more purposeful path, Patrick moved to London and retrained as a secondary school teacher, before making the leap to primary. He is driven by making a positive change in the lives of others. |
Melanie Moore
Headteacher |
Melanie is the teacher-governor at English Martyrs School and was appointed in 2021. Melanie has devoted all her working life to the school. At present she is the Assistant Head and Year 5 teacher, but in previous years has taught in Years, 1, 3, 4, 6 as well as supported SEND children in all classes. Melanie takes a lead role in ensuring that the school provides an ambitious and rich curriculum and currently is subject leader for Literacy /Science and RSHE. Melanie has two children who were both educated in Catholic schools. |
Amy Winkelgrund
Chair |
Amy was appointed Governor in September 2020. She has four children who all attended English Martyrs and have all now moved on to secondary schools. She has supported the school in various ways over the years, including fundraising for new play equipment, coaching hockey and chairing the Parents Association. She is looking forward to contributing to the governance of the school and helping it to deliver a rich, diverse and stimulating experience to the children. Amy is originally from New Zealand and has worked as an international litigation lawyer there and in London.
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Peter Edwards
Foundation Governor |
I have been a Foundation Governor of English Martyrs School for over 30 years. I am a retired Civil Engineer and Project Manager. I am very passionate about Catholic education and committed to ensuring that our children receive the very best educational opportunities and life fulfilling experiences. |
Father Alex
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Fr Alex is our valued Catholic Parish Priest from English Martyrs Church.
Fr Alex takes an active part in celebrating Mass and attending prayer in school. |
Joan Cameron
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Joan is a Foundation Governor and a parishioner at St. Patrick’s Wapping. Joan previously worked as a SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) for many years, teaching in a range of secondary, primary and special schools and working with other agencies. Joan is also one of the Catechesis team at St. Patrick’s. Joan believes in encouraging children to strive towards their ‘personal bests’ and to develop the resilience to cope with the ups and downs of life and learning. |
Adele Schirinzi
Parent Governor |
I was appointed Parent Governor in 2024. I live in Wapping with my young family and am committed to supporting the school and the Parish of St. Patrick, where we go every Sunday, and where both my children have been baptised. Additionally, I serve as the Safeguarding Representative for our parish. I have a daughter attending the school and hope my son will join the English Martyrs community soon. Coming from a Catholic family in Italy, I grew up with strong Catholic values, and I firmly believe in achieving a high level of education through the light of God. |
Catriona Ferris
Foundation Governor |
Catriona Ferris is a Foundation Governor. She lives in Guildford but works for Unilever based in the global headquarters in central London and is only a short tube journey from the school. She is married with a son who has ASD and as a result is passionate for equitable access to education for all. She has been a Governor for 4 years and is a member of the Standards and Resource committee. |
Michael Topley
Local Authority Governor |
Mike has been a local authority governor at English Martyrs for over a decade, where he chairs the resources committee. Born in London, Mike works at Barclays in Canary Wharf as a sustainable portfolio manager. "My focus is on ensuring the school is on a stable financial footing that allows it to continue delivering excellent education". |
Susan Paterson
Staff Governor |
Susan Paterson is a Teacher Governor at English Martyrs Primary School and has been a member of the teaching staff for over ten years. She currently teaches in Year 2 and plays a key role in shaping early education across the school.
Susan is the EYFS and KS1 Lead and also leads Physical Education. In addition, she is responsible for Phonics and Early Reading and oversees the humanities curriculum, ensuring strong foundations and high-quality learning experiences for all pupils. Susan has a broad range of teaching experience, having previously worked in the London boroughs of Newham, Lewisham, and Greenwich. She also spent eight years teaching in Singapore, bringing valuable international experience and perspective to her role as a Teacher Governor. |
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Genda Forrest
Associate Governor, Vice Chair, Maths, Gifted and Talented |
Types of Governor
Foundation Governors
Foundation governors are volunteers who serve as the Bishop’s representative to assist in managing our Catholic schools. They work alongside other governors including parent governors to form a governing body or board of directors. They are involved in decisions about all aspects of managing the school – such as running buildings and budgets, supporting staff, monitoring standards and the Catholic ethos and help make big decisions about the school’s long-term goals. Foundation Governors have specific responsibility for admissions to the school, the employment of staff, Religious Education and collective worship. The governors help determine the future for pupils attending our schools.
The work of the Governing Body is facilitated by a Clerk and training and support for governors is provided by the Diocesan Department for Schools and Colleges and the Local Authority.
Parent Governors
These are parents of children who attend English Martyrs Joseph Catholic Primary School. They are elected on to the Governing Body by the votes of other parents, and they represent the voice of the "users" of the school. Their term of office runs for four years.
Local Authority Governor
The Local Authority (LB Tower Hamlets) appoints a representative to the school’s governing body.
Policies related to governance
Policies related to governance available upon request
SEND Reports
SEND Reports related to governance available upon request
Links to DfE website Re: Governance Maintained schools governance guide - 5. Governance structures - Guidance - GOV.UK
Maintained schools governance guide - Guidance - GOV.UK
Foundation Governors
Foundation governors are volunteers who serve as the Bishop’s representative to assist in managing our Catholic schools. They work alongside other governors including parent governors to form a governing body or board of directors. They are involved in decisions about all aspects of managing the school – such as running buildings and budgets, supporting staff, monitoring standards and the Catholic ethos and help make big decisions about the school’s long-term goals. Foundation Governors have specific responsibility for admissions to the school, the employment of staff, Religious Education and collective worship. The governors help determine the future for pupils attending our schools.
The work of the Governing Body is facilitated by a Clerk and training and support for governors is provided by the Diocesan Department for Schools and Colleges and the Local Authority.
Parent Governors
These are parents of children who attend English Martyrs Joseph Catholic Primary School. They are elected on to the Governing Body by the votes of other parents, and they represent the voice of the "users" of the school. Their term of office runs for four years.
Local Authority Governor
The Local Authority (LB Tower Hamlets) appoints a representative to the school’s governing body.
Policies related to governance
Policies related to governance available upon request
SEND Reports
SEND Reports related to governance available upon request
Links to DfE website Re: Governance Maintained schools governance guide - 5. Governance structures - Guidance - GOV.UK
Maintained schools governance guide - Guidance - GOV.UK
English Martyrs Catholic Primary School Governors - 2025/26
Name |
Governor Type |
Start of term |
End of term |
Patrick Devereux |
Headteacher |
01/09/2025 |
N/A |
Melanie Moore |
Associate Member - Head of school |
01/09/2025 |
N/A |
Amy Winkelgrund |
Chair of Governors Co-Chair Remuneration Committee Healthy Lives Link Governor Safeguarding & Child Protection Governor |
01/04/2024 |
31/08/2027 |
Adele Schirinzi |
Vice Chair of Governors Parent Governor |
11/06/2024 |
10/06/2028 |
Peter Edwards |
Foundation Governor Religious Education Governor Safeguarding & Child Protection Governor SEND Governor |
01/09/1985 |
31/08/2026 |
Fr Don Joseph Alex Angodage |
Foundation Governor Religious Education Governor |
16/10/2019 |
31/08/2027 |
Joan Cameron |
Foundation Governor SEND Governor |
29/03/2023 |
28/03/2027 |
Catriona Ferris |
Foundation Governor |
01/04/2018 |
31/08/2025 |
Mike Topley |
LA Governor Chair Resources Committee |
25/06/2019 |
24/06/2027 |
Genda Forrest |
Associate Member |
Value |
Value |
Committee Members
Committee |
Members |
Resources Committee Members |
Mike Topley, Catriona Ferris, Melanie Moore, Amy Winkelgrund, Peter Edwards, Genda Forrest, Patrick Devereux, Rochelle Clarke (Admin), Elizabeth Boccius (Admin), |
Remuneration Committee |
Mike Topley, Amy Winkelgrund, Catriona Ferris |
Standards Committee |
Don Joseph Alex Angodage, Peter Edwards, Joan Cameron, Amy Winkelgrund, Genda Forrest, Melanie Moore, Adele Schirinzi |
HT Performance Review |
Mike Topley, Genda Forrest |
Historic Members
Name |
Date left |
Bronagh Nugent |
04/09/25 |
Claire Watts |
10/09/25 |
Dawn Lauder |
10/09/25 |
Gabrielle Ettridge |
07/11/24 |
Liza Bartlett |
07/11/24 |
Louis Montfort |
05/10/22 |
Daniella Monaci |
24/03/21 |
Governor Attendance
