4Governors work closely with headteachers, school staff and representatives from the Trust. Our governance structure was amended to reflect our school joining The Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust (MAT) in September 2021, when we became a Local Governing committee.
Governor Membership and Interests
Name | Representing | Term of Office | Committees | Responsibilities | Register of Interest | Relationship to staff |
Mrs Paula Russell | Foundation | 23/9/21 – 22/9/25 | Headteacher performance management,
Pay review
|
Chair of LGC,
Curriculum |
none | none |
Mr Christopher Savage | Foundation | 23/9/21 – 22/9/25 | Admissions,
Pay review |
Vice Chair of LGC,
CLA, Pupil Premium, Sports Premium, Catch up funding, Religious Education |
none | none |
Miss Katy Haggart | Headteacher –
Ex Officio |
1/9/21 – | Admissions,
Pay review |
All | none | staff member |
Mr Allan Horsburgh | Foundation | 23/9/21 – 22/9/25 | Headteacher performance management | Training and development | BWCET – Emma Anyan, teacher St Leonard’s; BWCET – Deidre Horsburgh, Governor St Godric’s | none |
Mr Michael Laing | Foundation | 23/9/21 – 22/9/25 | Admissions,
Pay review |
Wellbeing | none | none |
Mrs Gail Bentham | Parent | 29/11/21 –28/11/25 | Admissions | EYFS, Safeguarding | none | none |
Mrs Rachel Hockey | Observer – Deputy Headteacher | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | staff member |
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 Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle
- 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
At St Joseph’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.
Governor Attendance
Schools are required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year.
Record of Attendance 2022-23
Name | 3/11/22 | 2/3/23 | 29/6/23 |
Mrs Paula Russell | |||
Mr Christopher Savage | |||
Miss Katy Haggart | |||
Mr Allan Horsburgh | |||
Mr Michael Laing | |||
Mrs Gail Bentham | |||
Mrs Rachel Hockey |
Archived Attendance
You can also view previous years’ attendance on our website.
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 the Durham County Council website School Governor section.
Statutory Guidance for Governing Bodies
St Joseph’s RC Primary School adhere to the statutory guidance from the Department for Education. This means that governing bodies must have regard to it when carrying out duties relating to the constitution of governing bodies in maintained schools. For further information please view or download the our documents below.
The Constitution of Governing Bodies of Maintained Schools (2017)
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