--- title: "Governance" url: "https://bccet.org.uk/about-us/governance" school: "Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust" --- # Governance ![Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust governance](https://bccet.org.uk/images/images/Screenshot_2026-08-17_at_10.12.56.png) 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](https://www.englishmartyrssunderland.org.uk/our-governing-body) | Jake Kingsley | | [Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary, Shotton](https://ourladylourdesdurham.org/about-us/our-governing-body) | Stephen Dent | | [Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Peterlee](https://ourladyrosary.org.uk/about-us/our-governing-body) | Kevin Nicol | | [Our Lady Star Of The Sea Primary School, Horden](https://olsots.durham.sch.uk/) | Clare Sutherland | | [SS Peter & Paul’s Catholic Primary School, South Shields](https://sspeterpaul.co.uk/about-us/governors/) | Paula Wetherelt | | [St. Aidan’s Catholic Academy](https://www.staidanscatholicacademy.co.uk/our-school/our-governors/) | Dr. Catherine Emmerson | | [St. Aloysius’ Catholic Infant School, Hebburn](https://st-aloysius.co.uk/our-governing-body/) | Wendy Woods | | [St. Aloysius’ Catholic Junior School, Hebburn](https://st-aloysius.co.uk/our-governing-body/) | Wendy Woods | | [St. Anthony’s Girls Catholic Academy](https://www.st-anthonys-academy.com/about-us/our-governing-body) | Maureen Galbraith | | [St. Bede’s Catholic Comprehensive School](https://www.st-bedes.org/about-us/our-governing-body) | Vacant | | [St. Bede’s Catholic Primary, Jarrow](https://stbedesjarrow.co.uk/our-school/our-governing-body/) | Paul McAlindon | | [St. Bede’s Catholic Primary, South Shields](https://stbedessouthshields.co.uk/about-us/governance/) | Catherine Ellwood | | [St. Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, New Seaham](https://www.stcuthbertsprimary.com/our-governing-body/) | Kelly Lamond | | [St. Cuthbert’s RC Primary, Grindon](https://www.stcuthbertsprimaryschool.co.uk/about-us/governing-body/) | Paul Cook | | [St. Godric’s Catholic Primary School](https://stgodricsthornley.org/about-us/our-governing-body) | Stephen Carter | | [St. Gregory’s RC Primary, South Shields](https://www.st-gregorys.co.uk/about-us/governing-body/) | Paul Scott | | [St. James’ Catholic Primary School, Hebburn](https://stjameshebburn.co.uk/our-governing-body) | Sharon Grewcock | | [St. John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Town End Farm](https://www.stjohnboscosunderland.org.uk/our-governing-body) | Lisa Elliott | | [St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy](https://www.stjosephs.uk.net/about-us/governance/) | Geraldine Kilgour | | [St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Blackhall](https://stjosephsblackhall.net/about-us/our-governing-body) | Clare Sutherland | | [St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Jarrow](https://stjosephsjarrow.co.uk/our-school/governance/) | Ailine Gibson | | [St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Millfield](https://www.stjosephssunderland.school/about-us/our-governing-body) | Dr. Catherine Emmerson | | [St. Leonard’s Catholic Primary School, Silksworth](https://www.stleonardsprimary.org.uk/our-governing-body) | Dr. Catherine Emmerson | | [St. Mary Magdalen RC Primary School, Seaham](https://stmmschool.co.uk/about-us/our-governing-body/) | Kathryn Robinson | | [St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Jarrow](https://www.stmarysjarrow.co.uk/about-us/our-governing-body) | Kevin Nicol | | [St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Sunderland](https://smrc.school/about-us/governing-body/) | Rachel Cameron | | [St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Wingate](https://stmaryswingate.org/about-us/our-governing-body) | Stephen Carter | | [St. Matthew’s RC Primary School, Jarrow](https://stmatthewsjarrow.co.uk/our-school/about-us/our-governing-body/) | Angela Boyle | | [St. Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, South Shields](https://stoswaldsrc.co.uk/our-governing-body/) | Patricia Alexander | | [St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Ryhope](https://www.stpatricksryhope.co.uk/governors/) | Tony McCourt | | [St. Wilfrid’s RC College](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/Our-Governing-Body) | Geraldine Kilgour | ## Governance Resources - [TrustGov ](https://berryeducation.com/trustgov/) - [Governance Key Documents ](https://bishop-chadwick-catholic-education-trust.schudio.com/key-documents) - [Governance Structure ](https://bccet.org.uk/about-us/governance/governance-structure) - [Diocese – Professional Development & Formation ](https://diocesehn.org.uk/education/professional-development-and-formation/#pd) - [CPD Brochure 2025/26 ](https://bccet.org.uk/files/documents/Professional-Development-and-Formation-Programme-2025-2026_compressed.pdf) - [National Governance Association ](https://www.nga.org.uk/) - [Contact the Governance Team ](mailto:Governance@bccet.org.uk) - [The Role of a School Governor ](https://files.schudio.com/bishop-chadwick-catholic-education-trust/files/documents/The-role-of-a-school-governor.pdf) ## Become a School Governor Interested in becoming a Governor? Read our [ Role of a School Governor ](https://files.schudio.com/bishop-chadwick-catholic-education-trust/files/documents/The-role-of-a-school-governor.pdf) guide to learn more about the role and responsibilities. [Contact Governance ](mailto:governance@bccet.org.uk) ![Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust](https://files.schudio.com/bishop-chadwick-catholic-education-trust/images/logo/logo-footer-with-diocese-02_(1).png) ### Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust Evolve Business Centre Cygnet Way, Rainton Bridge South Business Park Houghton-le-Spring Tyne & Wear DH4 5QY ### Quick Links - [Website Terms](https://bccet.org.uk/website-terms) - [Accessibility Statement](https://bccet.org.uk/accessibility-statement) - [Privacy Notice](https://bccet.org.uk/privacy-policy) - [FOI Statement](https://bccet.org.uk/freedom-of-information) ### Useful Links - [Key Documents](https://bccet.org.uk/key-documents) - [Teach First/SCITT](https://bccet.org.uk/work-for-us/teach-first-scitt) - [Our Schools](https://bccet.org.uk/our-schools) - [Job Vacancies](https://bccet.org.uk/job-vacancies) - [Contact Us](https://bccet.org.uk/contact) ### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BishopChadwickCET) - [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@bishopchadwickcet) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/78414337/admin/) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/bishopchadwickcet/) © Copyright 2025–2026 Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://bccet.org.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)