Our Governors

Fiona Kerin (Chair)

Foundation Governor
Committees:
- R.E
- Finance & Resources (Chair)
- Curriculum and Achievement. (CO-Chair)
- Admissions
- Pay (Chair)
Date of Appointment: September 2000
Term of Office: 4 years
Business and Financial Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: Our Lady of Lourdes Foundation Governor
Material Interests: None
Attendance Records: Please see attendance list in minutes

Fiona has been Chair of the Governing Body since 2021, A Chartered Accountant who runs her practice from home, Fiona’s two children attended school within Barnet where they had “the best start”. Her aim is that all children who leave the St Theresa’s feel the same.

Gerry Costello

Foundation Governor
Committees:
- Wellbeing
- Admissions (Chair)
- R.E
Term of Office: 4 years
Business and Financial Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Material Interests: None
Attendance Records: Please see attendance list in minutes

Gerry has vast knowledge about the school, having been Clerk to the Governors for 21 years before being elected Chair in 2012. Born in Ireland, Gerry grew up in Finchley, attending Our Lady of Lourdes and St Michaels. Gerry’s professional background is in Administration and HR Management. She is very active in the parish of St Philip’s and has been a volunteer with St John Ambulance since 1981.

Fr. John Dermody

Foundation Governor
Committees:
- Finance
- R.E
Date of Appointment: September 2022
Term of Office: 4 years
Business and Financial Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Material Interests: None
Attendance Records: Please see attendance list in minutes

Father John Dermody is the Parish Priest of St Philip the Apostle, Finchley and the School Chaplain to St. Theresa’s. He was born of Irish parents and grew up in South-West London. After gaining a degree in French and Spanish, he worked in banking for nine years before responding to the call of the priesthood. He contributes greatly to the spiritual life of the School through his particular interest in the liturgy and in spiritual and pastoral development.

Barbara Costa

Executive Headteacher
Committees:
- Pay and Performance Management
- Finance and Resources
- Admissions
- R.E
- Attendance Records: Please see attendance list in minutes

Barbara is the Executive Headteacher at St. Theresa’s and Our Lady of Lourdes School. She previously was a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Sacred Heart Primary School in Whetstone.

James Troy

Head of School
Staff Governor
Committees:
- Wellbeing
- Curriculum and Achievement
Attendance Records: Please see attendance list in minutes

James is the Head of School and Key Stage 2 Leader at St. Theresa’s. He also currently leads Maths and P.E across the school. Previously, James was a member of the leadership team at Chatsworth Primary School in Hounslow. During his teaching career James has taught in the Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. James held the post of Year 6 teacher at St. Theresa’s for two years before becoming the Deputy Headteacher.

Christine Fleming

Foundation Governor
SEND link Governor
Committees:
- Wellbeing
- R.E (Chair)
Date of Appointment: March 2023
Term of Office: 4 years
Business and Financial Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Material Interests: None
Attendance Records: Please see attendance list in minutes

Christine is a retired primary school teacher. Her association with St. Theresa’s started in 1981 when her eldest daughter started in Reception. Over the years, through her pastoral work as Children’s Senior Catechist at St. Theresa’s responsible for First Holy Communion and Reconciliation and then as Governor from 2011, this association has continued. Christine is now the proud grandmother to 3 gorgeous grandchildren who keep her extremely busy.

Ihiri Haswani

Parent Governor
Committees:
- Curriculum and Achievement
- Finance
Date of Appointment: October 2023
Term of Office: 4 years
Business and Financial Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Material Interests: None
Attendance Records: Please see attendance list in minutes

Ihiri is a Chartered Linguist with a background in English literature and philosophy. She has worked as a translator and project manager for over 18 years. She is half Italian/German and South Sudanese and has a passion for language and inclusion. Her eldest son currently attends St Theresa’s School.

Elizabeth Cormack

Committees:
- Curriculum and Achievement (Co Chair)
- Wellbeing (Chair)
Date of Appointment: November 2020
Term of Office: 4 years
Business and Financial Interests: None
Governance Roles in Other Schools: None
Material Interests: None
Attendance Records: Please see attendance list in minutes

Liz is 61, married and has lived in Finchley for 30+ years. She is a retired Deputy Head Teacher in a Barnet school which was consistently graded Good by Ofsted. Her (now adult) children all went to local schools. As a Governor Liz’s particular interests are in pupil well being; the curriculum, pupil engagement and the development of life long learners.

Jane Goring

Foundation Governor
Child Protection and Safeguarding Lead Governor
Committees:
- Wellbeing
Date of Appointment: September 2022
Term of Office: 4 years
Business and Financial Interests: KiSS Community Adventure – company director, Pilgrimage People – charity trustee
Governance Roles in Other Schools: Nicholas Breakspear School – foundation governor
Material Interests: None
Attendance Records: Please see attendance list in minutes

For much of her career, Jane was a school leader in Catholic secondary schools in our diocese. In 2015, she became the Chief Inspector of Schools, with responsibility for diocesan inspection of all the schools in Westminster and most recently has been working on the roll-out of the national inspection framework for Catholic schools for the Catholic Education Service. She has been a Foundation Governor for many years in several Catholic primary schools and has recently been appointed as a foundation governor at Nicholas Breakspear School – a Catholic secondary academy in St Albans.

She likes to spend much of her spare time travelling, which I most enjoy when accompanied by my family. I am also a trustee of a small charity which raises money to support Christians in the Holy Land by organising pilgrimages, so I am able to indulge my love of travelling by encouraging others to travel too.