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 Bro Alasdair Kay
 
  • Term of office: Ex Officio

  • Link governor: SIAMS /RE/Collective Worship

Biography:

Alasdair is the Community Minister and Team Vicar for Walbrook Epiphany, St Augustines and St Thomas’.

Br Ally as he is known by the Children is an ex officio foundation governor to three local Schools, St Chads Primary, St James’ Infants and St James’ Juniors. Prior to moving back to Derby he was a Foundation Governor for four years at Wyke Primary Federation and also Chaplain to  All Saints C.E Secondary School.

Br Alasdair was previously a church schools worker for 10 years in Kent. He is married to Nicky who is the Welfare officer at St Chads School. Their Dog Patch is the School Dog at St Chads so you can see this is very much a family work. Alasdair now works as a parish Priest and is also a Trustee of two other charities.

Alasdair’s responsibilities on the governing Body are RE, SIAMS and Collective Worship. He goes into school regularly to assist in Collective Worship

One of the questions Alasdair is always asked is about his distinctive grey habit he wears. No, he isn’t a Jedi or on Game of Thrones. Alasdair is a Brother in a Franciscan Order in the Church of England.

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

Rachel Schmidt (Parent Governor)
  • Term of Office 10/07/2027
Biography