Welcome to the Governing Body of St. Joseph's.

A Governing Body has a vital role to play in making sure every child gets the best possible education. Here at St. Joseph's we have a strong and committed Governing Body that has high expectations for all pupils. We work closely with the head teacher and senior leadership team.

The full board meets twice a term as well as holding termly committee meetings.  Each governor has a link role within the curriculum, to monitor and review outcomes for children.  This gives governors the opportunity to go into the school and meet with subject leaders, pupils and attend special events taking place within the school.

Our key functions are: 

• to ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
• oversee the financial performance of the school
• to monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achievement of its aims and objectives
• be a source of challenge and support to the headteacher

Our school vision to 'Love, Learn, Grow', recognises the potential of every child and as a governing body we believe in a collaborative approach, working with pupils, families and the community, to prepare children for the challenges and opportunities they will face.

Governors can be contacted via the school office or by emailing chair of governors: 

 Chair of Governors S Hardcastle

Since becoming part of the St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust (December 2021) the governance of our school is carried out by Local Academy Committee (LAC), which in formal terms are committees of the Board of Directors, with powers delegated by the Board. LACs are made up of volunteers, including parents, and Foundation Governors appointed by the Bishop. The LACs’ role is to monitor, support and challenge ‘their’ school, especially in the areas of: Catholic Life; performance; behaviour and well-being; budget monitoring; and safeguarding. LAC governors work ‘on the ground’, knowing ‘their’ school well and visiting regularly. Each LAC is supported by a professional Clerk.

Interconnecting the two kinds of governance, ‘Link Directors’ serve as a two-way means of communication between groups of LACs and the Board. Strategic Partnership Groups, based on groups of parishes, give opportunities for Chairs of LACs, Headteachers and Link Directors to share ideas and work together, for the greater good.

Please click the link for further information about the Trust Governance  STCAT trust governance

Simon Hardcastle

Chair of Governors

Simon Hardcastle, Chair of Governors

Simon retired in 2017 moving to Chalfont St Peter and is an active member of St Joseph’s Parish. He and his wife, Karey, have two grown-up children and three grandchildren now living in the parish who will attend St Joseph’s Primary.  Having spent over forty years working in the City of London, for various multinational companies and previously being a school governor in the Diocese of Westminster, Simon would like to help the school grow and develop as a place where children can feel safe becoming the best people they can be.  He welcomes the opportunity of working with his fellow governors and the school management team to overcome the challenges of the future. 

Caroline Lovegrove, Headteacher

Caroline was born in London, in Dollis Hill.  From an early age she aspired to be a teacher.  After studying in St. Mary's University, Strawberry Hill, she gained both an English and an Education Degree.  She has been in teaching for over 24 years and is passionate about providing the very best for every child in her care.   She married in Rome in 2001 and was privileged to meet and receive a marital blessing from Pope John Paul II.  Caroline has three boys, who attend The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in London.  She is a keen theatregoer, with her favourite production being 'Les Miserables'.

Mrs Jenny Donnelly, Parent Governor 

Jenny graduated in Engineering from the University of Warwick before training as a Chartered Accountant at Deloitte. She has spent the following 20+ years working in the areas of finance, strategy, customer insight, risk management, and most recently inclusion & diversity. 

Her most recent role as Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Commercial Banking at a large bank has helped her to understand how diversity of thought and experience can help teams make the best decisions and she is very passionate about being part of a school that supports inclusivity. 

She and her husband, Michael, have lived in Chalfont St Peter since 2012 and she has two children at St Joseph’s. In her spare time, Jenny enjoys doing exercise classes to keep fit, spending time in her garden, eating out, and travelling. 

She was appointed as a Parent Governor in 2020. 

Sonia Szczupak, Staff Governor                       

Margaret Van Duyvenbode, Foundation Governor

Margaret was born in Liverpool and spent her early years of teaching in various schools in Liverpool.  She moved with her husband Edward and their 4 children to her present home in Chesham Bois 35 years ago where she resumed her teaching career until her retirement.  She has travelled extensively abroad and has spent time living in Holland, Paris and Texas with her family.  Margaret is an active member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and is involved in many aspects of parish life including running Catechetical programmes, Children’s Liturgy, Bible Study and Prayer Groups. She is currently involved as the Education/Welfare co-ordinator for the Oasis Project, in re-settling a refugee family from the Middle East. Her many interests include theatre, reading, cooking and gardening.  She finds great joy spending time with her 11 grandchildren, 2 of whom are pupils at St. Joseph’s.  

Teresa Ptaszynska, Foundation Governor

Teresa grew up in South London, attending La Retraite Convent Grammar School before studying PhD at Middlesex Hospital and Queen Elizabeth College, University of London.  After two years of post-doctoral research Teresa joined the pharmaceutical industry where she has been involved in drug development with a number of companies for over twelve years.  Teresa now works for an international clinical research service provider to the pharmaceutical industry, the EU office of which is head-quartered in Maidenhead.   Teresa and her husband Chris moved from Croydon to Gerrards Cross in 1996.  They have two grown up children, Alicia and Christopher.   Teresa is an active member of St. Joseph's Church and a trustee of the Alistair Roberts Memorial Fund Charity. To relax Teresa enjoys yoga, theatre ballet, eating good food rather than cooking it, and gardening.