
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 ROBERT'S CATHOLIC FIRST SCHOOL:
LOCAL GOVERNING COMMITTEE
What does the Local Governing Committee (LGC) do?
The Local Governing Committee works to support the overall development of the pupils based on the principles of Roman Catholic Church.
Governors are involved in:
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planning the future direction of the School
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monitoring and evaluating the progress of the School against these plans
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supporting and challenging the School
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being accountable to parents and all stakeholders about the school’s performance; and
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ensuring all statutory duties are carried out.
In order to carry out this work, governors:
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work closely with the school team
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have 6 full governing body meetings a year - one in each half term
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Governors have delegated key areas of responsibility
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visit the school
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ensure they are familiar with the Diocesan requirements relating to Catholic Education.