MEET OUR GOVERNORS

ST VINCENT’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL

1 Pierrepoint Road, Acton, London W3 9JR

 Chair of Governors - Mrs Evadne Cookman / Ms Marcella Phelan -  ecookman@stvps.co.uk / mphelan@stvps.co.uk

Clerk to the Governing Body - Mrs Catherine Hughes - khughes@stvps.co.uk

Financial Benchmarking: https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/school?urn=101926

Governor Biographies

Fr Patrick Adusei Poku (Foundation Governor / Religious Education and Catholic Life)

Mr Michael Arthur (Parent Governor / Quality of Education (Curriculum)

I have lived and worked in Acton since 2008. I trained as a Maths teacher in 2002 and have worked ever since in state schools in Australia and England. I am currently the Head of Sixth Form at a local secondary school with prior experience as Head of Maths of a large department. I am committed to ensuring that every student maximises their potential in school and ensuring that teachers continue to develop and refine their practice. As of September 2021 I have two children in the school.

Mrs Evadne Cookman (Co - Chair of Governors) / Foundation Governor / Quality of Education (Equalities)

I have lived in the local community for many years. My children and niece all went to St. Vincent’s. This is my second stint at governorship at this school.  In the past I have been fortunate enough to have been able to contribute to the life of the school as a member of the Parents Association, parent governor and chair of governors.  During my time as chair of governors I was closely involved in the first four classroom brick built extension and nature area in the playground. My working background is in the National Health Service (NHS), specifically, Clinical Neurophysiology which deals with disorders primarily affecting the brain, muscles, and nerves. In addition to this, I contribute to the judicial system and have been a magistrate for over 20 years.

Mrs Claire Hatfield (Staff Governor / SENCO and Inclusion)

I am privileged to have worked at St Vincent’s since 2008 after 4 years of teaching in Greenford. I started as a class teacher, then moved onto the role of SENCO. In 2017, I was appointed as Assistant Head for Inclusion. I love getting to know all the children in school and watching them grow and change as they journey through from Early Years to Year 6. The highlight of my day is greeting the children at the gate in the morning and watching them come into school, often skipping or running happily into class whilst chatting to their friends. I enjoy working closely with children and their families to give them the support needed to succeed at home and in school.

Mrs Rochelle Isaac - Simon

I have lived in Acton for a number of years and have 2 children who attend a local secondary school. I have worked with children, young people and families since 2006 in a number of different roles. Currently I work for a Local Authority supporting schools and families to help pupils overcome barriers to regular schools attendance. 

Ms Marcella Phelan MBE (Co - Chair of Governors /Foundation Governor / Safeguarding and Child Protection)

I am a former senior manager at Ealing Council Children and Families service, with an extensive background in social care and safeguarding. I have lived and worked in the area for many years and in 2018 was awarded an MBE for services to young people in Ealing. I am also a Trustee at Brentford FC CST and Chair a local Youth Mentoring Project.

Emma Shanahan (Foundation Governor / Behaviour and Attitudes/ Personal Development)

I am a full-time parent of 2 children and have been part of the St. Vincent’s school community since 2013. I have a son who previously attended St Vincent's and a daughter who is currently at the school. I was a Parent Governor under the last Headship and am now a Foundation Governor.
I studied Humanities and worked in Journalism and Finance. I am originally from New Zealand with an international upbringing and broad education. I am heartened by our diverse, inclusive school community and have watched the children propelled from infancy to wing-toting teens. I am delighted to play a strategic role in the further evolution and betterment of the school.

Dr Sophia Varadkar (Foundation Governor / Curriculum, Medical/Welfare)

Dr Sophia Varadkar is a Consultant Paediatric Neurologist and Deputy Medical Director at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, where her clinical work focuses on the care of children and young people with epilepsy.  She completed her undergraduate degree at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland and her postgraduate medical training in Dublin and London.  She has a PhD in Neuroscience from University College London.  Originally from Dublin, she now lives in the local area with her husband and two children.  Sophia loves to cook for family and friends. Her guilty pleasure is classic rock music.   She is delighted to join the team of Governors at St Vincent's Catholic Primary School

St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School - Governing Body 2024/25