Governors

We have an enthusiastic and skilled Governing Body who support school in its aims and policies to provide high quality education in a caring and supportive environment.  
 
Clerk to Governors
Mrs P Miles
Email: pam.miles@stchads.derby.school.uk

Mr J Coupland (Trust Governor)

Chair of Governors

  • Email: jason.coupland@stchads.derby.sch.uk
  • Term of Office: 23/01/2026
  • Link Governor: 

I am currently working as a Finance Manager for an education charity. I have worked with a variety of schools over many years and have been helping to support the children, parents, carers and staff. I have been a school Governor for over 10 years and am part of a group of local leaders in governance who work with schools in Derby. I was born in Derby and attended the local Primary and Secondary Schools. I moved out of Derby for work but moved back again to Mickleover around 12 years ago when my children were little so that we would be closer to our family. I first became a governor when my daughter started Primary school as I wanted to be able to help out at the school and become more involved in the her education. I previously worked for the finance team at the Council and helped with the funding allocations for all the Schools in Derby City. With this school funding background I am interested in ensuring that the money the school receives produces the best outcomes for the children.

I hope to use my skills and experience to help provide the children at St Chad’s with a love of learning that they carry with them for the rest of their lives.

 
Mrs C Lightfoot  (Trust Governor)
Vice Chair
  • Term of Office: 15/06/2026
  • Link Governor: SEND & Inclusion
Biography:
I am a specialist teacher working with deaf children across schools and early years settings in Derby city. I have more than 10 years experience as a governor both in primary and secondary settings, and feel privileged to have taken on the role of vice chair at St Chad’s. It is a school with an ethos closely aligned to my own and will be using my skills, particularly as a SEND specialist, to support the school.
 
Mr A Repesa (Trust Governor)
  • Term of Office: 23/01/2026
  • Link Governor: Safeguarding 
Rev A Ward (Ex Officio Governor)
  • Email: rector.walbrook@gmail.com

  • Term of office: Ex Officio

  • Link governor: SIAMS /RE/Collective Worship

Biography:

As a person of faith, I love living and working in this vibrant inner-city community which is such a rich mix of culture, ethnicity and faith.  I have been the Rector of the parish in which St Chad's is a church school since February 2011 and have lived in Normanton since taking up the role of Vicar at St Augustine's Church in May 2003.  During this time, I have been a foundation governor at St Chad's, and have served as Chair of Governors since October 2015.  Before being ordained I worked as a housing manager for the YMCA Housing Association in Sheffield and then in West London.

Mrs E Cartwright (Trust Governor)  

  • Term of office: 31/07/2023

  • Link governor: EYFS/Sports Premium/Wellbeing/Collective Worship/PSHE/Music

Biography:

I have had nine years experience as a Governor, six years at St Chad’s and three years at an Infant School in Birmingham. I have worked in education and childcare in multi-cultural areas and am committed to supporting St Chad’s in helping all the children from our diverse community flourish.

 

Mr A Richardson (Co-opted Governor)

  • Term of office: 31/03/2023

  • Link governor: Health & Safety/Pupil Premium/ Maths/History/Geography

Biography:

 

 

Ms K Leach (Head teacher)      

  • Term of office: Head teacher 

Biography:

I was appointed Head teacher at St Chad's in September 2017.  Previous to this I was Assistant Headteacher at Hardwick Primary School, responsible for the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, English and MFL. During my career I have been fortunate to teach in the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. I have worked in two outstanding primary schools in two Local Authorities and I have also taught abroad in France and Belgium. In 2015 I became a Specialist Leader in Education for English and EAL.

Hannah Wright (Staff Governor)

  • Term of Office 01/12/23
Biography