Welcome to our Governors’ section.

Please find below details of how our Governing body is structured, including the names, categories, responsibilities and terms of appointment for each Governor.

The Local Governing Committee

The academy is part of the Catholic Church and is to be conducted as a Catholic Academy in accordance with Canon Law and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and in accordance with the Trust Deed of the Diocese of Clifton and in particular: 

1. Religious education is to be in accordance with the teachings, doctrines, disciplines and general and particular norms of the Catholic Church 
2. Religious worship is to be in accordance with the rites, practices, discipline and liturgical norms of the Catholic Church; and 
3. At all times the academy is to serve as a witness to the Catholic faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ 

The academy is a member of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust.

Up to 10 Governors recruited for their skills, knowledge, and experience in the following categories: 

• 6 x Foundation
• 2 x Staff (including Headteacher)
• 2 x Parent 

The Local Governing Committee meets six times per year.  The governors also have specific responsibilities for safeguarding, admissions, health and safety and designated curriculum areas.

Teresa Harvey – Head Teacher

Term of Office: 01/09/2017
Responsibilities: Head Teacher, DSL (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Declarations of Interest: None

I have been Head Teacher at St Joseph and St Teresa's since September 2017. I have been teaching in Primary Education for 19 years and this is my first Headship. 

I have a daughter who goes to the Catholic school in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. 

Brendan Ring - Chair of Governors/Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 01/03/2022 - 28/02/2026
Responsibilities: Safeguarding, School Improvement Plan, Attendance, Finance, EYFS
Declarations of Interest: None

I moved to Wells in 2018 to be closer to family members. I used to live in Gravesend, Kent, where I was the Safeguarding Officer for the Parish of St John’s for many years. In addition I led our Folk Choir for nearly 30 years! I am a member of the St Joseph and St Teresa parish now but I also attend St Mary’s in Bath to join in their monthly Folk Mass. In the past I worked for the Southwark Catholic Children’s Society for 14 years before taking up management roles in social services departments at Bexley and Southwark Council.

Terry Whitehouse – Vice Chair/Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 01/03/2022 - 28/02/2026 
Responsibilities: Finance, Pupil Premium, Curriculum
Declarations of Interest: Member of the NEU. 

I moved to Wells in September 2018 and I am a member of SS Joseph and Teresa’s parish.  Two of my grandchildren attend the primary school. I have worked in secondary education for 43 years in the North West, 36 years being in catholic schools. As well as teaching mathematics and information technology, I have worked in several administrative and management roles in education.  

Maria Edwards – Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 01/03/2022 - 28/02/2026
Responsibilities: RE
Declarations of Interest: Employed at the school. Self employed mortgage advisor. 
 

I have lived in Wells with my husband and daughter since 2010, having previously worked in Bristol. I’m a self employed mortgage professional. We have a daughter that attended the school and has now moved onto St Gregory’s Catholic College in Bath. With work, plus my daughter’s dance and performing arts commitments, life is pretty hectic for us. I was involved with the school PTFA for a number of years and I am now privileged to be a Foundation Governor and continue to support the school.

Jonathan Schwartz – Staff Governor

Term of Office:  29/09/2023 - 28/09/2027
Responsibilities: 
Declarations of Interest: Assistant Headteacher at the school. 

Tom Webley - Parent Governor

Term of Office:  29/09/2023 - 28/09/2027
Responsibilities: Curriculum
Declarations of Interest: None

Abigail Pollard - Parent Governor

Term of Office:  18/06/2024 - 17/06/2028
Responsibilities: SEND, Curriculum
Declarations of Interest: Employed by Somerset Council. Sole trader of Pollard Tutors. Student member of the Association of Educational Psychologists. 

Stephanie Webb – Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 09/09/2024 - 08/09/2028
Responsibilities:  Curriculum
Declarations of Interest: Employed at Candlelight Homecare Services. 

Marian Grannell – Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 04/10/2024 - 03/10/2028
Responsibilities: RE, Curriculum
Declarations of Interest: None

Felix Joseph – Foundation Governor

Term of Office: 08/10/2024 - 07/10/2028
Responsibilities: H&S, Curriculum 
Declarations of Interest: Employed at Fletcher House.

Governor Resignations in the Past 12 Months

Andrew O'Sullivan - Parent Governor

Term of Office: 05/10/2020 - 31/08/2024
Responsibilities: EYFS Link Governor, English
Declarations of Interest: None