GOVERNANCE
BISHOP BEWICK CATHOLIC EDUCATION TRUST GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust is structured in accordance with its Articles of Association.
There are three levels of governance within the Trust: the Members, The Trust Board of Directors, and the governors who make up the Local Governing Body for each academy in the Trust.
The Trust comprises five Members. The Members are accountable to the DfE and have ultimate responsibility for the Trust achieving its charitable objectives. They sign off the Articles of Association and have the power to appoint and remove the Directors. The Members include representatives from the Diocese of Newcastle and Hexham. The majority of the Members are independent of the Directors to provide challenge and scrutiny to the Board.
The ultimate responsibility for the running of our schools resides with the Directors of the Trust. They set the strategic direction for the Trust and are accountable to the Secretary of State for the performance of the schools within it. This is set out in a legal document known as the ‘funding agreement‘. As charity trustees, they must also ensure that they are complying with charity law requirements.
Directors are appointed on the basis of skills needed.
The authority for running each school remains at Local Governing Committee level and is clearly defined by our scheme of delegation.
The Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust is governed by people in our local communities who have each made a significant impact on the lives of young people.
ST MARY'S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL: LOCAL GOVERNING COMMITTEE
We are fortunate to benefit from the active involvement of a local governing committee made up of representatives from our Parish, parents and school staff.
They work with Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust to determine an effective framework (aims, plans, policies) which will enable the headteacher to manage the school and staff to carry out their duties effectively.
They meet regularly to support and challenge the Headteacher and staff to ensure that the high standards associated with and expected at St Mary’s are maintained and that we offer our pupils an excellent education.
The chairperson for our Local Governing Committee is Mrs C. McLean and the vice-chair is Mrs Suzanne Lewis-Dale , both of whom can be contacted, in writing, via the school at: St Mary´s Catholic Primary School, Farringdon Road, North Shields. Tyne & Wear. NE30 3EY.
Our Local Governing Committee will meet 4 times a year (from September 2024, in academic years prior to this they met 6 times) and these meetings will consider a wide range of topics including finance, staffing, health and safety, premises, curriculum, pupil progress and communications. A sub-committee group will meet annually to consider Admissions to school and carry out headteacher Performance Management as well as conduct pay review.
Below is a table outlining our governing committee's structure and remit.
Mrs C McLean
Foundation Governor
Chair of Governors
Mrs S Lewis-Dale
Foundation Governor
Vice Chair of Governors
Fr M Stempczyk
Foundation Governor
Mrs K Austin
Foundation Governor
Mrs F Anderson
Foundation Governor
Mr A Robertsson
Parent Governor
Mrs J MacDonald
Staff Governor
Mrs C Bland
Ex-Officio
Headteacher
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT OUR LGC:
Name | Status | Start Date | End Date | Attendance 2023/24 | Declared Interests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mrs C McLean | Appointed | 01/08/2021 | 01/08/2025 | 6/6 | None declared |
Mrs S Lewis-Dale | Appointed | 01/08/2021 | 01/08/2025 | 3/6 | None declared |
Fr M Stempczyk | Appointed | 01/08/2021 | 01/08/2025 | 4/6 | None declared |
Mrs K Austin | Appointed | 01/08/2021 | 01/08/2025 | 4/6 | None declared |
Mrs F Anderson | Appointed | 03/03/2024 | 29/03/2028 | 4/4 | Family owns Whitley Bay Ice Rink |
Mr A Robertsson | Elected | 10/05/2024 | 09/05/2028 | 2/2 | None declared |
Mrs J MacDonald | Elected | 01/08/2021 | 01/08/2025 | 5/6 | None declared |
Mrs C Bland | Appointed | 01/08/2021 | 6/6 | None declared |
