Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust governance
Governance

Our Governance Structure

Bishop Chadwick 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 Local Governing Committees, who oversee governance in each of our Trust schools.

We have seven Members who determine the governance structure of the Trust. They provide oversight and challenge to ensure our charitable objectives are fulfilled. They include representatives from the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.

Trust Members Oversight and challenge
Trust Board of Directors Strategic leadership and accountability
Local Governing Committees Local school governance

Trust Members

Title Salutation First Name Last Name
Director of Education Mrs Catherine Craig
Vicar General for the North of the Diocese Reverend Father Jeffrey Dodds
Vicar General for the South of the Diocese Reverend Father Mark Millward
Episcopal Vicar for Education Canon Simon Lerche
Lead Education Trustee / Chair of the Diocesan Education Committee Mr Michael Shorten
Chief Operating Officer / Financial Secretary Mrs Fiona Standfield
Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle Bishop Stephen Wright
Members provide independent challenge and scrutiny to the Board.

Trust Directors

The ultimate responsibility for the running of our schools resides with the Directors of the Trust.

Directors meet at least twice each term as a full Board. Four committees undertake detailed work in Audit & Risk, Finance, People and Standards.

Directors delegate defined aspects of governance to Local Governing Committees under our Scheme of Delegation.

Accountability: Per the Academy Trust Handbook 2025, the Board holds collective accountability and assures compliance with regulatory, contractual and statutory requirements.

The Academy Trust Board provides:

Strategic Leadership

Vision, culture and strategy, including local delegation.

Accountability & Assurance

Oversight of performance, welfare, funding and estate.

Engagement

Strategic stakeholder relationships and meaningful involvement.

Local Governing Committees

Each school page includes the previous academic year's attendance at Local Governing Committee meetings.
Name of School Chair of Governors
English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Jake Kingsley
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary, Shotton Clare Sutherland
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Peterlee Kevin Nicol
Our Lady Star Of The Sea Primary School, Horden Clare Sutherland
SS Peter & Paul’s Catholic Primary School, South Shields Paula Wetherelt
St. Aidan’s Catholic Academy Dr. Catherine Emmerson
St. Aloysius’ Catholic Infant School, Hebburn Wendy Woods
St. Aloysius’ Catholic Junior School, Hebburn Wendy Woods
St. Anthony’s Girls Catholic Academy Maureen Galbraith
St. Bede’s Catholic Comprehensive School Vacant
St. Bede’s Catholic Primary, Jarrow Paul McAlindon
St. Bede’s Catholic Primary, South Shields Catherine Ellwood
St. Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, New Seaham Kelly Lamond
St. Cuthbert’s RC Primary, Grindon Paul Cook
St. Godric’s Catholic Primary School Stephen Carter
St. Gregory’s RC Primary, South Shields Paul Scott
St. James’ Catholic Primary School, Hebburn Sharon Grewcock
St. John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Town End Farm Lisa Elliott
St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy Geraldine Kilgour
St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Blackhall Clare Sutherland
St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Jarrow Ailine Gibson
St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Millfield Dr. Catherine Emmerson
St. Leonard’s Catholic Primary School, Silksworth Dr. Catherine Emmerson
St. Mary Magdalen RC Primary School, Seaham Kathryn Robinson
St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Jarrow Kevin Nicol
St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Sunderland Rachel Cameron
St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Wingate Stephen Carter
St. Matthew’s RC Primary School, Jarrow Angela Boyle
St. Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, South Shields Patricia Alexander
St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Ryhope Tony McCourt
St. Wilfrid’s RC College Geraldine Kilgour

Governance Resources

Become a School Governor

Interested in becoming a Governor? Read our Role of a School Governor guide to learn more about the role and responsibilities.

Contact Governance