Directors
The Directors are responsible for the same three core governance functions performed by the governing body in a VA school: setting the direction, holding the headteacher to account and ensuring financial probity. As charity trustees, they must also ensure that they are complying with charity law requirements. Academy trusts are charitable companies and the trustees are company directors and must comply with company law requirements.
This may sound daunting, but, in reality, the duties are largely the same as those of a governor of a VA school, such as regularly attending meetings, managing conflicts of interest, seeking advice from the academy’s leadership team and ensuring the academy has appropriate procedures in place for reporting financial information.
Nick Johnson, Foundation Director (Chair)
Nick Johnson served as Vice Chair on the governing body of St Nicholas High School, Northwich and is a former member of the Diocese of Shrewsbury Commission of Education. Nick has also served on the Cheshire Schools Forum, which is responsible for approving all spending for local authority and other budgeting matters. In addition, he has served on Board of Directors of The Holy Family of Nazareth Catholic Academy Trust. In terms of employment, he worked firstly as a Senior Partner of Glaisyers Solicitors LLP where he is now a Managing Partner.
Michelle Madeley, Foundation Director
Michelle Flanagan started working with the Trust as part of the volunteering programme of the Manchester Airport Group (MAG) back in 2012. She also a keen interest in the Trust, as her husband and his family all attended St Anthony’s and St Elizabeth’s as children.
She now serves as Vice Chair of the Executive Committee and is Chair of the Finance & Resources Committee.
In terms of her career, Michelle has over 30 years involvement in the retail sector, including 20 in travel in senior management positions. She is currently the Managing Director of UK business, HMSHost International, which is a major employer across the MAG group.
Patricia Adams, Foundation Director
Pat Adams retired as Executive Headteacher of 2 primary schools in the north of Manchester in August 2020. She has been a headteacher in Manchester for over 20 years. As a Local Leader of Education, Pat supported the leadership of several schools in the city over many years, including schools in the Ofsted category of Special Measures.
Pat served on Manchester Schools Funding Forum for 16 years and has been Chair of Manchester Local Authority Primary Strategy Group and Deputy Chair of the Excellence in Cities policy partnership. Pat is currently the Chair of Governors at St. James’ Catholic High School, Cheadle.
Alistair Moore, Parent Director
Alistair Moore is a Parent Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Trust. He has lived in Wythenshawe for the last 30 years and is married with 4 children, all of whom have attended Ss John Fisher and Thomas More and then transitioned to Saint Paul’s Catholic High School. He therefore has a vested interest in how the schools are being run.
Prior to working for the Trust, Alistair has previous experience as a Parent Governor at Ss John Fisher and Thomas More. In terms of his career, he ran his own company for 15 years providing project management services to the construction industry.
With the experience Alistair has in both his personal and professional life, he believes he is well placed to ensure the schools operate correctly and provide the best education for the children.
Tony Flanagan, Foundation Director
Elaine Summersgill, Foundation Director
Retired Primary Headteacher (St Peter’s Catholic Primary, Stalybridge – 14 years leading an outstanding school with continued high attainment).
Director of St Anselm’s MAT since 2013/14 – Chair of MAT for last 6 years. Member of the F & P committee.
Fr Owen Gallagher, Foundation Director
Priest of the Diocese of Shrewsbury.
Father Owen Gallagher was ordained a priest in 2019. He first became a school governor in 2017 and has served on two different governing bodies during his priestly career. Father Owen has over twenty years of experience in education at different levels between primary school, secondary school and summer colleges. He qualified with a PGCE and CCRS in 2010 and taught at secondary level since then until 2017 when he returned to finish his studies for the priesthood.
He has been Parochial Administrator and Team Leader for all the Wythenshawe churches since September 2022.
Matthew Arthur, Foundation Director
Retired (in 2017) from teaching after 36 years in secondary education teaching Chemistry, RE (GCSE & General RE in the 6th form) and some Mathematics.
Worked in three different schools – single sex and Co-ed with twenty years as Deputy Head at St Ambrose College Hale Barns.
Currently a Foundation Governor at St Ambrose College with responsibility for Safeguarding (Designated Safeguarding Governor), Curriculum & Standards (Chair of the C&S Committee) and also Link Governor for Art, Design and PSHE/RSE and Safeguarding.
As Deputy Head, worked under four different heads and was part of the process of St Ambrose moving from Independence within Trafford to Grant Maintained and then Voluntary Aided (within a two-year period) and now, Academy status.
Responsible for timetable planning and curriculum development as well as Performance Management (now Appraisal).
Responsible as Safeguarding lead (DSL) for the training of staff and also the management of Safeguarding issues in school.
John Wallace, Foundation Director
Retired Deputy Headteacher (Secondary) at All Saints Catholic College for over 20 years.
He has also undertaken part-time work as an educational consultant assisting schools with timetabling
Governor at Corrie Primary School, Denton for 22 years (20 years as Chair).
Governor at Two Trees High School, Denton for 26 years (10 years as Chai).
Governor at St John Fisher RC Primary School, Haughton Green for 4 years, as Vice Chair.
Governor at St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, Hyde for 12 years (10 years as Chair)
MA in Education