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Rosemary Olivier
Director of Schools

Telephone: 01329 835363
Email: rolivier@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Rosemary has a background in secondary education and inspection.

She is responsible for the overall service to schools, working with the team to fulfil the statutory responsibilities we have as well as developing all aspects of the Catholic nature of our schools. Particular areas of responsibility are:

• advising the Bishop on Catholic education at national and Diocesan level;
• initiating programmes for the development of leadership and management in schools in the Diocese;
• representing the Bishop at appointment panels for senior staff in Catholic schools
• training and developing Diocesan validators;
• enabling and providing programmes of support and inservice for all aspects of Catholic education and religious education.

Urszula Topp
Deputy Director

Telephone: 01329 835363
Email: schools@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Urszula has a background in secondary education and Local Education Authority work.

Urszula is responsible for promoting the Catholic character of schools among governing bodies, establishing good relationships and raising the profile of the diocese among the 13 local authorities and their officers.

Overall responsibilities include:-

• deputising for the Director;
• Foundation Governor appointments;
• training, development and support for governing bodies with particular reference to governance and compliance;
• representing the Bishop at appointment panels for senior staff in Catholic schools;
• representation on local authority statutory committees and forums;
• school organisation and development.

Primary Support

Our primary adviser and three primary consultants all have a background in primary education. They are responsible for supporting and advising primary schools. Shared responsibilities are:

• RE advice and support;
• Staff development support, in particular nurturing future heads, deputies and RE managers;
• General professional and pastoral support for headteachers;
• Supporting the self-review process;
• Representing the Bishop at appointment panels for senior staff in Catholic schools.

In addition, each consultant will take responsibility for co-ordinating a particular area of the department’s work.

Helena Pickering (Primary Adviser)
Telephone: 01329 835363
Email: hpickering@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Particular responsibility: Religious education.

Robert Dare (Primary Consultant)
Telephone: 01329 835363 or 01202 528811
Email: robert.dare@bournemouth-lea.gov.uk

Particular responsibility: To co-ordinate self-review support.

Julia Feeney (Primary Consultant)
Telephone: 01329 835363 or 0118 942 2003
Email: jfeeney@westberks.org

Particular responsibility: The development of worship.

Catherine Hobbs (Primary Consultant)
Telephone: 01329 835363 or 023 9282 1055
Email: cmhobbs@stjohnscathedralschool.org.uk

Particular responsibility: Religious education.

Lesley Wilde
Administrative Secretary to the Director of Education.

Telephone: 01329 835363
Email: schoolspa@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

As well as performing all the usual secretarial duties, Lesley's role includes administrating courses and meetings, co-ordinating school validations and ensuring that the office runs efficiently and effectively to provide a point of contact for the 79 schools in the Diocese in the Director's absence.

Maureen Simmons
Administrative Officer

Telephone: 01329 835363
Email: schools@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Maureen provides administrative support to Urszula and with Lesley is the "voice" of the department on the telephone.