Meet Our Governors

Margaret Cunningham - Chair of Governors 

I have lived in Withington for the last 30 years and have been a member of St Catherine's church community for as long as we have lived in Manchester.
I have worked in Catholic education all my life and for the last few years I was the Executive Headteacher of St Willibrord's and St Margaret Mary's Primary Schools. 
I am delighted to be a governor at St Ambrose RC Primary School. The children and staff have all made me feel very welcome and I am pleased to be a part of a great community!

John Connor - Vice Chair of Governors

Currently head of Hale Prep. Prior to current appointment, head of a grammar school and deputy head of Xavier College Manchester. Author of a range of school text books both at primary and secondary levels. Extensive experience as a governor prior to appointment at St Ambrose.

Francis O’Connor

I was co-opted as an Associate Governor in 2014. I am a lifelong resident in the Didsbury area.  I am married and retired from the Co-op after 44 years service. 

I am a parishioner of St. Cuthbert’s Church, Withington, where I have been a reader and helper with Mass collections for many years. I am also a member of the St. Cuthbert’s branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society which helps and befriends the poor in the community.

I enjoy helping the Year 2 children with their reading.  

I am proud to have been a member of Lancashire County Cricket Club since 1974. I also listen to a lot of music and I am an avid reader.  I enjoy concerts, theatre and the arts in general.

Helen Murphy

I am the staff representative on the Governing Body. I have been a governor for the past ten years and have enjoyed helping the school move forward. I grew up in Sale and now I live in Hulme.

Claire Wallace

I am delighted to have been appointed to the Governing Body of St Ambrose. As someone who has benefitted from a Catholic education, I see this as an opportunity to give something back to the community. I am a practising Catholic at the parish of St. Mary and St. Paul, Hyde. As a parent myself I understand the importance of a high quality primary education for our children. In my professional life I have been a teacher within the Catholic sector for over 20 years and have recently been appointed as Headteacher at The Barlow, Didsbury. I am looking forward to being part of the next stage of the St. Ambrose journey.

Angela Ager

I have worked in Catholic education for over 30 years including 22 years as a secondary deputy headteacher in two different Catholic High Schools.  I have been foundation governor since 2011 and in 2014 was appointed as a National Leader of Governance. I am also Chair of Directors (Trustees) at Romero Catholic Academy Trust in Lancashire.  It is a real privilege to be a governor at St Ambrose and be part of such a welcoming school community.

Tiffany Cooper-Jones

I was elected to be parent governor in April 2017 but have been a part of St Ambrose a lot longer. I have lived in Chorlton for 26 years and have been coming to St Ambrose for many years.  I currently have one child that attends St Ambrose and two other children in high school.  

I am a friendly face and always open to discussions, so if there is ever anything I can help with please feel free to ask. 

Fr Peter Tierney

I grew up in St Thomas More parish in Alkrington, Middleton, with four brothers and three sisters. I have 15 nieces and nephews and one great niece. I was ordained 28 years ago on 4th July 1992.

I have served as Assistant priest in Mount Carmel, Blackley, Hospital Chaplain in Burnley and Blackburn, Parish Priest in Brierfield, Mossley, Clayton-le-Moors and Droylsden.

More recently, until COVID-19, I worked in the Diocesan Education Department looking after and encouraging the GIFT Teams in our schools. With the Virus putting an end to this ministry, I asked Bishop John for a parish, and he kindly appointed me to St Ambrose.

God bless,

Fr Tierney