Governors are volunteers who collectively make up the schools Local Governing
Committee. The Local Governing Committee comprises of individuals drawn from the
school’s community, both as elected and appointed members.
The Diocese appoints Foundation Governors specifically to ensure:

• That the Catholic character of the school is preserved;
• That the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed; and
• That the religious education curriculum is in accordance with the Bishop’s policy for his Diocese, based on the Bishops’ Conference Curriculum Directory.

The Headteacher is a Governor and each school also has elected Parent and Staff
Governors and may also co-opt a Governor for a specific purpose.

The role of a Governor within the Trust is an important one. The governance structure
ensures that as far as possible the responsibility to govern is vested in those closest to the
impact of decision making. Governors play a crucial role in the leadership of our school.
They share in the strategic responsibility of promoting high educational standards on and
ensuring that the school is conducted as a Catholic school. The overall role of the Local
Governing Committee is to support and challenge the school leaders to provide the best
possible education for all children.

Governors attend at least three full Local Governing Committee meetings a year, will have a
monitoring role which helps them develop a deeper understanding of the school and may
also sit on a sub committee where specific issues are considered such as admissions,
staffing, finance or standards.

Governors are expected to attend training which is provided free of charge through the
Trust and are required to undertake annual safeguarding training.
Governors are accountable to the Directors and the Bishop and must ensure that, at all
times, they act in good faith and in the best interests of the school and the Trust, exercising
care and skill using their knowledge and experience.

Our School Governors:

Anne Marie Conroy – Chair of Governors
Sarah Willis – Vice-Chair of Governors
Lilian Clay – Foundation Governor
Sandra Gibson – Foundation Governor
Maureen Harris – Foundation Governor
Lisa Stokoe – Executive Head Teacher
Maria Robinson – Head of School (observer)
Nicola Dellow – Staff Governor
Susan Mulholland – Parent Governor
Dominic Curran – Co-opted Governor
How To Become A School Governor

If you require further information on the roles of a Governor or you are interested in
becoming one, contact the school or the Trust at governance@bwcet.com

To nominate yourself to become a Foundation Governor, please complete the application
form on the Diocesan website Governance – Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle
(diocesehn.org.uk)

The Diocese encourage all applicants to read the additional guidance documents here –
5-Guidance-for-Prospective-Foundation-Governors-and-Directors.pdf (diocesehn.org.uk)