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.
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School - Local Governing Committee
A School Governing Committee has many statutory duties in ensuring that pupils receive the best education possible. They have to work with the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust to decide on an effective framework (aims, plans and policies) which will enable the Head Teacher to manage the school and Staff to carry out their duties.
In order to do this the Governors have to carry out three key roles :
First the Strategic Role: Agreeing the vision and aims of the school, and deciding on plans and policies that will help achieve that vision.
Second: Being a Critical Friend to the school: checking on progress of plans and effectiveness of policies; and knowing the school.
Third, Accountability: The Governing Committee has to hold the school to account by asking questions and receiving reports from the Head Teacher on progress. Also the Governing Body is held to account by the Local Authority and Ofsted.
At Sacred Heart Primary we do our best to fulfil our roles as Governors. Meetings are very well attended and everyone participates in discussions etc. Where possible Governors attend school events and support the school by assisting on projects when asked. We are committed to upholding the Catholic Ethos of our school and providing a safe and happy place for the pupils of Sacred Heart, where they can achieve their potential.
The structure of the membership ensures there are strong links with the parish and the wider community:
Liz McLellan
Chair of Governors
Foundation Governor
Wendy Dowling
Vice Chair of Governors
Foundation Governor
Daniel Drozdzewski
Foundation Governor
Joe Murray
Foundation Governor
Lucy Thompson
Foundation Governor
Kathryn Dimambro
Foundation Governor
Clare Bureau
Associate Governor
Hannah Rutledge
Staff Govenor
Brad Channer
Parent Governor
Barbara Brown
Headteacher
Ex-Officio
