Governing Body
Mrs Fiona Beazer – Foundation Governor (Chair)
Governor Link Role responsibility:
Maths, History, Phase Link EYFS and Year 1, ECT Training Programme
I was elected initially in July 2015 as Parent Governor, and applied for Foundation Governor status in 2018. I have two boys, both boys attended the school since Nursery and my youngest has just left to go to secondary school. After graduating I completed my PGCE and taught in a large secondary school in Feltham for 13 years, where I was Head of Sixth Form for a significant number of those years. More recently I have taught in the primary sector and I still have a keen interest in, and knowledge of, new initiatives and educational policies. I am also an associate member of the Association of Education Advisors.
Mr Thomas Doherty – Headteacher
I have been Headteacher since my appointment September 2016. This is my second Headship and the sixth school I have worked in since I started teaching in 2001. I am fortunate to have been in Catholic education my entire life and it is a privilege to lead this Catholic school. I look forward to working with the Governing Body to serve the families of Holy Family to the best of our ability.
Mr Gerard O'Brien - Foundation Governor (Vice-Chair)
Governor Link Role responsibility:
RE & PHSE
I am an experienced Foundation Governor, having served for four years in another school and have previously been a catechist. I live in the local area with my wife and four children and have been a Holy Family parishioner for the last 30 years. I bring to the school practical industry experience in science, engineering and business; and an interest in history and art.
Mrs Liz Buffini – Foundation Governor
Governor Link Role responsibility:
Safeguarding, SEND, Computing & Phonics
I joined Holy Family as a Foundation Governor in 2020. I was a Senior Deputy Head Teacher in a large Catholic secondary school, and my professional experience also includes monitoring the school's Inclusion provision including SEND; the ongoing development of IT facilities; and the Performance Management of staff. I am a parent of two children who both attended Catholic primary and secondary schools and have a strong commitment to Catholic education.
Mr Edwin Moore - Foundation Governor
Governor Link Role responsibility:
PE, Health & Safety/Site
Along with my fellow Governors, I very much want Holy Family to continue to thrive and succeed. I was elected as a Parent Governor in 2017 and later made a Foundation Governor. My background is in business consulting and organisational improvement. I consider myself to be a positive, fun, team player with a healthy ability to get things done. I grew up in Ealing - going to Catholic primary and secondary schools. I am very familiar with our local area and the wonderful diversity of people that make it special. I have a son at Holy Family and a daughter who, after seven wonderful years at Holy Family, is now at secondary school. My motivation is to help ensure the wide potential in all our children is realised. Another keen interest I have is in increasing the involvement of male carers in the life of the school. I think I have helped in getting this established and now it's a healthy aspect of the school community - long may this be the case.
Mr James Connolly – Parent Governor
Governor Link Role responsibility:
Music
I was elected as Parent Governor in April 2023. I am a parishioner at Holy Family church and have two children at Holy Family School. My eldest child is currently finishing her A-Level studies at a local Catholic Secondary School. Like my children are doing currently, I too attended Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in West London whilst growing up.
I work as a Commodities Analyst with a background in financial planning and commercial development. As Parent Governor I look to utilise my personal and professional skills to provide strategic support to the Head and the school leadership team as they continue to make Holy Family a school where all our children can grow and thrive.
I volunteer in the school each week by helping to run the Friday morning rugby club for Years 3,4 and 5, which enables me to work closely with some of the wonderful children we have at Holy Family and see the fantastic, warm and friendly environment that has been created for our children, through the hard work of the teaching and support staff as well as the many other parent volunteers.
I also regularly support the Friends of Holy Family committee by volunteering at events such as the School Discos as well as the Christmas and Summer fairs
In my spare time I enjoy country walks with my family, paddleboarding, watching sports, especially football and rugby, and am currently assisting with setting up a Girls’ Rugby team at Ealing Trailfinders.
Mr Lee Malcolm – Parent Governor
Governor Link Role responsibility:
Geography
I recently started my tenure as a governor in September 2023. However, I have been part of the Holy Family community for quite a few years with my eldest child leaving last year, and my youngest son currently in Year 2.
Holy Family and the Catholic community has, and continues to be, a integral part of our lives; I hope to bring my experience as a mentor, and professional experience of working for some of the most recognised companies, in order to support the school's teachers, children and parents in the best way I can whilst upholding the values and ethos which makes Holy Family the outstanding institution it is.
Dr Michela Noseda – Parent Governor
Governor Link Role responsibility:
Science
My daughter ‘graduated’ from Holy Family in 2019 and my son, who is currently in year 6 has attended Holy Family since nursery.
Holy Family is the place where our children spend many hours each day, growing and developing crucial skills for their future like friendships, critical thinking, respect, and empathy for others and building their knowledge. These elements must be nurtured to ensure we have happy, intelligent children that develop into great adults. As a governor, I aim to work with everyone to enrich the intellectual, physical, and emotional environment of our children and ensure the school continues to support our children.
I have been a catechist for the First Communion for several years. My Catholic faith teaches generosity, respect, compassion - crucial aspects that complement my critical and analytical traits as a scientist. I trained as an MD at the Catholic University (Rome) and obtained a PhD. I am an academic teaching medical and graduate students and leading a research team in the field of cardiology. My experience in managing, problem-solving, education, creative thinking and my dedication to the community is of great support to the growth of Holy Family.
Mr Steve Donnelly - LA Governor
Governor Link Role responsibility:
English, Art & Design
I have lived in Acton for over 25 years. I have spent a total of 12 years as a school Governor at two local schools including Holy Family. I am a Trade Union Officer and Local Councillor. I play tennis in my spare time.
Mr Fergus McCloskey – Staff Governor
As a member of staff who has been here since my NQT year, I have seen the school flourish and go from strength to strength. As Key Stage 2 Phase Leader, I am fortunate to offer guidance and support to colleagues on a daily basis and I look forward to further supporting the development of the school as part of the Governing Body.
Mrs Yvonne Rutherford – Associate Governor (Deputy Headteacher)
I was initially Staff Governor at Holy Family when I joined the school in September 2015 and was appointed as an Associate Governor in 2018. I look forward to working with the Governors to enable Holy Family to continue to grow as an outstanding school where every child can achieve personal excellence in everything that they do.
Fr Neil Reynolds – Associate Governor
I was appointed Parish Priest of Holy Family Church in September 2014, with the specific brief from Cardinal Nichols to work with the Headteacher to build up the recently newly opened Holy Family Catholic Primary School built on our Church land. Before coming to West Acton, I was Parish Priest for thirteen years of the Church of Saint John Fisher in Redbourn, Hertfordshire with pastoral care of two additional villages, Flamstead and Markyate. During some of those thirteen years I was a Priest Foundation Governor of St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School in Harpenden.