Our Governors
A Warm Welcome from the Governing Board
At Our Lady Immaculate, we are committed to providing a high-quality education for all our children. As governors, we fulfil our statutory duties while ensuring a holistic approach that goes beyond academics. We believe in nurturing the whole child – their intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual development.
Our Catholic faith is at the heart of our school. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of background or belief.
We invite you to explore our website and learn more about what makes our school special. Click below to explore our profiles.
Headteacher
Ben Martin
I am the Head Teacher of the school. I have just celebrated my 10th year in Catholic Education and my 3rd as Headship. I am proud to contribute to the development of OLI as Head but also with the dedicated support of our Governing Board.
I work closely with Governors to enable them to carry out their strategic and challenging duties. I also bring 5 years of experience being a Governor at a prep school in Surrey as link governor for EYFS, SEND and as Chair for the Teaching and Learning Committee at the school.
Foundation Governors (appointed by the church)
Anna Dywer - Chair of the Governing Body - EYFS, Behaviour and Attitudes
April 2022 – April 2026
Joseph Kibirango - Vice Chair of the Governing Body - Maths and Computing
February 2023 - November 2027
I have been a parent at OLI since 2013. In 2022, I became a Governor and am currently Vice Chair of the Governing Body, as well as a member of the Resources Committee.
As a chartered engineer with over two decades of experience managing businesses in the construction and energy sectors, I bring a broad range of experience to the role. Having seen my three children flourish at OLI, I have consciously decided to take an active role in supporting the school to achieve its mission and shaping education in our local Catholic schools. As a member of the OLI parish community, I am also committed to working with the headteacher and staff to enrich the Catholic character of the school.
Cath Hodgson - RE and RSE
July 2021 – July 2025
I have been a parent at OLI since 2016 and became a Governor in 2021, becoming Chair of the Children, Families and Community Committee in 2023. I work in government affairs for a nutrition trade association and have worked in local government for ten years across areas such as education, youth services and children’s social care amongst others. I chose to become a Governor after seeing my daughters flourish with their own strengths and abilities, within the OLI Catholic family and wanted to contribute to OLI as a place where all children are supported to achieve their full potential, whatever that may be.
Karen Fox - English, SEND and Diversity
November 2022 - November 2026
I have been a Foundation Governor at OLI since May 2023. My 4 children all attended OLI and I used to teach here many years ago! I am the vice chair of the Children, Families and Community Committee. I currently work as a Senior Lecturer in Primary English at St Mary’s University. I have also taught in primary schools across Surrey, Kingston and Merton for over twenty years. I am very proud to be a governor at the school where I have such strong links both as a parent and a professional and to be able to give back to the community that I have been part of for many years.
Paul Enright - History and Geography
January 2023 - January 2027
I am a former pupil of OLI and our three children also attended the school. I went on to become a teacher and worked in several Catholic Secondary Schools including Richard Challoner. I was headteacher at St Mark’s Catholic school for seventeen years before retiring in 2018. I have been a Foundation Governor at OLI since then. I am currently Chair of the Resources Committee.
Veronique Kelk - MFL and Music
April 2023 - April 2027
I was honoured to be appointed as a Foundation Governor in April 2023. My family and I have been part of OLI parish since we moved to the area in 2002 and as a governor, I am part of the Children, Families and Community Committee.
The first part of my career was in marketing for a multinational company followed by 16 years in teaching and was part of the Senior Leadership Team. Having stepped down from teaching to spend more time supporting teachers and leaders in and out of schools as a Leadership Coach, it was also the right time to give back and share my passion for education. As a governor, I hope to contribute to supporting staff and pupils of OLI so that each one can thrive and become the best of who they are.
Darren Fernandes - Wellbeing, PSHE, Staff Development and Diversity
November 2023 - November 2027
I have been a Foundation Governor at OLI since 2023 and prior to this as a parent Governor since 2018. I work in mental health and have done so for the last 2 decades across various sectors including Operations, Governance, Organisational Development, Strategy, Assurance and Transformation. I am passionate about Wellbeing and Diversity and I am proud to support these areas in my role as a Governor. I want to support the school to enable each and every child to fulfil their potential.
Parent Governors (appointed by parents)
Ryan McNeelance - Science and PE
February 2023 - November 2027
Staff Governor (appointed by staff)
Ruth Pandole - Staff Governor - Art and DT
April 2021 – April 2025
I have been a member of staff at OLI for 17 years and joined the governing board as Staff Governor in April 2021. Seeing the school from a developmental view - as well as an operational one - has really helped me to better understand the fundamentals of the school. I am proud to be the voice on the board advocating for the wonderful staff team and can see first-hand how diligently the board works to ensure the children at OLI receive a high-quality education that places faith at its heart.
Co-opted Governor (appointed by the governing body)
Simon Foskett - Safeguarding
January 2023 – January 2027
I have been a parent at OLI since 2018 and joined the governing body in 2019. I currently chair the Curriculum and Achievement committee and am the governing body's appointed safeguarding governor. I have worked as a project manager for two decades across a range of industries, currently working for a financial technology company. As part of the governing body, I aim to support and challenge the school in providing a safe and caring environment where each child is able to fulfil their full potential.
Governors who have served in the last 12 months
Mrs Gayle Carter January 2019 – January 2023
Mrs Mary Reed March 2020 – March 2022
Miss Mary Douglas December 2019 – December 2023
Mr Richard Sykes January 2023 – January 2027
Note: The 2013 Procedures Regulations removed the limitations on the voting rights of associate members in committees. The GB has decided to exercise its option to ask associate members to withdraw when individual staff or pupils are being discussed.
