Our Local Governing Committee
Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the Trust. Our governance structure has been amended to reflect our school joining The Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (MAT) in November 2020, when we became a Local Governing committee.
Governor Membership and Interests
| Name | Representing | Date of appointment | End of Term of Office | Date stepped down (if applicable) | Attendance at LGC Meetings | Responsibilities | Relevant Business & Pecuniary Interests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Samantha Clarke | Head Teacher - Ex Officio | 07.09.2021 - | 3/3 | Admissions Curriculum and Standards | None | ||
| Ms Katherine Barton | Foundation | 20.11.2020 | 19.11.2024 | 2/3 | Early Years Leaderships & Management Head teacher's PM, Pay Review | none | |
| Miss Emma Waldock | Foundation | 20.11.2020 | 19.11.2024 | 3/3 | Vice Chair, Safeguarding LAC, SCR, English/Reading/Phonics, Leadership & Management Admissions Pupil Discipline Headteacher's PM | St Leonard's Catholic School, BWCET - Librarian - employed within the Trust 17 Apr 13 Durham County Councillor - 7 May 21 |
|
| Mrs Ruth Maitland | Staff - elected by staff | 13.11.2020 | 12.11.2024 | 2/3 | RE/RSHE Admissions | Emma Louise maitland - Daughter is Staff governor at the Federation of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Esh Winning and St Joseph's She is also a teacher at St Charles Primary School, Tudhoe. She delivers the Parish First Holy Communion programme to St Bede's children |
|
| Mrs Gemma Wiecek | Parent | 16.12.22 | 15.12.26 | ||||
| Mrs Ruth Belton | Foundation | 30.06.2023 | 29.06.27 | ||||
| Mrs Sabine Zeze | Foundation | 20.11.2020 | 19.11.2024 | 3/3 | Pupil Premium Curriculum and Standards, Pupil Discipline | None | |
| Mr Thomas Gillingham | Foundation | 20.11.2020 | 19.11.2024 | 21.11.2022 | 3/3 | None | |
| Mr John Quinn | Foundation | 08.10.2021 | 07.10.2025 | 3/3 | Chair, Maths Admissions. Pay Review | SMART MAT - Trustee in addition to being a trustee/Chair of the Finance Committee, Audit and Risk Committee - 26 Sep 18 Success4All - Trustee - 28 Mar 20 Sythetic Data Inc Ltd - Shareholder - Non-exec CFO and hold 5% of the share of capital of this company - 16 Jan 22 Green White and SliceLtd - Shareholder, I hold 5% of the share capital of this company - 23 mar 22 |
|
| Mrs Medi Volpe-Ayres | Foundation | 15.12.2020 | 14.12.2024 | April 23 | 1/3 | ||
| Mrs Alison Holtham | Observer - Deputy Head | 24.03.2022 - | None | ||||
| Mr Michael Fingleton | Foundation/Appointed by the Diocese | 31.07.2022 | 3/3 | ||||
| Ms Samantha Lish | Additional/ Appointed by the board | 14.07.2022 | 0/3 | ||||
| Mr Liam Burn | Parent | resigned from office 11.10.2021 | 11.10.2021 |
Governors play an important part in raising standards for children. Their role is key to the effectiveness of the school and Ofsted judge this when inspecting the school. It is the job of the governors to appoint the head teacher and deputy head teacher. They provide strategic leadership and accountability in schools. The Governors also hold the main responsibility for school finance.
The Local Governing Committee is made up of individual members but is established in law as a corporate body. Decisions are the joint responsibility of the local governing committee; individual governors may not act independently.
The local governing committee has a strategic role and its key functions are to:
- Set the aims and objectives for the school
- Set the policies for achieving those aims and objectives
- Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
- Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards for achievement of its aims and objectives
- Be a source of challenge and support to the head teacher (a critical friend)
The internal organisation, management and control of the school and the implementation of the strategic framework established by the governors is the responsibility of the head teacher.
Although all governors have the same roles and responsibilities, there are different categories of governor:
- Foundation – these people are appointed by the Trust Board
- Head Teacher – by virtue of appointment to post of Head Teacher
- Staff – by virtue of appointment the head teacher is a staff governor. Other staff governors are elected by the academic and support staff
- Parent – these people must have a child in school at the time of appointment and are elected by the parents of children in school
- Additional Governor – appointed by the Trust Board
At St Bede’s we have a deeply committed local governing committee which meets regularly. Should you have any questions or queries for the governing body, please mark correspondence for the attention of the Chair of Governors, or alternatively email our Chair of Governors, Mr J Quinn at governance@bwcet.com
How To Become A School Governor
If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit www.bwcet.com/governance for further information
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