Governance
All such correspondence will be passed to the Chair of Governors via the Clerk to Governors.
The governors act as the trustees for the charitable activities of St Matthew Academy and are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law. Governors are appointed by the Sponsors or in accordance with the requirements of the Articles of Association and the funding agreement. The minimum number of governors is two and there is no maximum.
Welcome from the Chair of the Governing Body
The Governing Body works alongside the Education Schools Commission for the Archdiocese of Southwark (Sponsors). Together with the Academy Leadership Team, we all strive to ensure every child at the Academy receives the best education possible, whilst also addressing some of the issues that are impacting on progress.
Our Governors and the committees that they sit on are detailed below:
Pat Barber - Reappointed June 2022
Governing Board- Resources Committee
- Teaching & Learning Committee
- Admissions Committee
- Pay Committee
Pat Barber is the Chair of the Governing Body and was originally appointed in September 2018, She is Foundation Governor at Bonus Pastor Catholic College, St Bartholomew's RC Primary School and Our Lady & St Phillip Neri Primary School. She is also a member of the Local Authority Schools’ Forum. Pat is a trained as a National Leader of Governance and supports schools nationally to improve school governance.
The Chair of the GB can be contacted at ~ COG@stmatthewacademy.co.uk
Corinne Browne-Marke - Reappointed April 2020
- Governing Board
- Resources Committee
Corinne originally joined our Governing Body in 2018, she is a professional woman who lives locally in Catford. Corinne is a chartered management accountant, currently working at The Berkeley Partnership as a Management Consultant specialising in Change Management. Corinne brings management and financial expertise, as well as robust business and local links. Corinne grew up in the borough of Lewisham, and has been involved in a number of community initiatives including the Lewisham Interfaith Walk and music and arts programmes in the area.
Tony Halmos - Reappointed April 2020
- Governing Board
- Resources Committee
Tony was appointed in September 2018. He was Director of Public Relations for the City of London Corporation for 21 years until retirement in October 2015. He is now a visiting professor in the Policy Institute at King's College, London, focussing on key London issues. He is a Community Director and Company Member for St Matthew Academy.
Joan Forrest - Reappointed June 2022
- Governing Board
- Resources Committee
- Pay Committee
Joan was appointed as a Foundation Governor at SMA in September 2018 and has been a Foundation Governor at St Thomas the Apostle College for 5 years and is a member of Southwark Schools HR service. Joan is a solid and determined governor and has a strong skillset with her expertise in HR being invaluable. She is committed to making a positive contribution to the children's education at St Matthew Academy to 'Let their Light Shine.'
Pat Peters - Reappointed June 2022
- Governing Board
- Teaching & Learning Committee
I was originally appointed as Foundation Governor at SMA in September 2018. I have worked for 31 years in primary schools in Southwark, Greenwich and Lewisham with the last 11 as a head teacher. After retiring I have become a governor in two schools including St Matthew Academy. I have lived in Eltham since starting my teaching career bringing up two children who attended Catholic schools in the area. My husband is also a governor of a Catholic school in Eltham.
Grainne Grabowski - Reappointed June 2022
Governing Board- Resources Committee
Grainne was originally appointed as a Foundation Governor at SMA in September 2018.
Jo Chandler - Appointed March 2022
Jo joined the Governing Body as a Foundation Governor in March 2022. Formerly Chair of Governors at a primary school in Lewisham, Jo brings experience, enthusiasm and commitment to the role. Her career has been varied and interesting she has experience in management, travel, leisure, recruitment, sales and marketing. She now runs a successful local children's literacy charity.
She is also a governor at a secondary school in Southwark and through effective and supportive governance hopes to positively affect the outcomes of young people. Jo was born in Lewisham and lives there with her family and teenage sons.
Claire Garland, Staff Governor - Appointed October 2022
Claire Garland was appointed as our Staff Governor in October 2022
Martina Maurer, Parent Governor - Appointed in October 2022
I have lived on and off in Greenwich since 2010 and my twin daughters attend SMA.
I am a secondary school teacher for Maths, RE and Drama, having worked at various schools in the UK and abroad.
After the birth of my girls, I took a career break and supported our family to transfer to the US.
There I worked as a volunteer for the council and other charities. Mainly tutoring maths at schools across the district and helping vulnerable families by giving them the support needed.
I have 4 years of experience as a board member on a disciplinary committee at a German secondary school.
I am committed to using my skills and experiences to make a positive contribution to the children’s education and the wider school community at SMA.
Chevon Whyte, Parent Governor - Appointed July 2024