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.
STAR OF THE SEA CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL: LOCAL GOVERNING COMMITTEE
Julia Brachtvogel
Chair of Governors
"Please let me introduce myself, my name is Julia Brachtvogel and I am very privileged to hold the position of Chair of Governors at Star of the Sea .
My connection with Star of the Sea goes back many years - three of my children and two of my grandchildren have been fortunate to have attended this school and have continued to be hard working and carry on the ethos which is instilled in the very fabric of our school - respect, care and compassion for all others - especially those less fortunate than ourselves.
I am not alone in my role as we are lucky to have a dedicated team of Governors - some with expertise in education and others who bring skills from other professions. As part of the Bishop Bewick Trust we also have access to shared expertise in all aspects of teaching , learning and school management.
Most importantly, all are committed to the school and want the best for each child who attends . We share our aims and aspirations with Mrs DiMambro and all staff ...we want each and every child to achieve the best they can be ...and to leave our school having enjoyed their time here through friendship fun and knowledge.
Governors are sometimes called a critical friend and I believe we fulfil our role well in this respect...we provide support to all who work in a school and challenge where appropriate.
If your child/children attends our school we thank you for entrusting them to our care and if you are looking at this website considering our school for your child /children then please make an appointment to come and visit us …I’m sure you’ll be impressed with what Star of the Sea can offer."
Carol Jewitt
Vice Chair of Governors
“I was originally appointed as a Local Authority Governor, but my links with Star of the Sea go back much further. The school provided an amazing education for my children and, now that my grandchildren are attending, I have the pleasure of seeing this all happening again. As an ex-Headteacher I’ve had a professional relationship with the school over many years. I see my Governor role as supporting and challenging the school to make a positive difference to the lives and futures of the community it serves.”
Derna Campbell
Foundation Governor
"I have been a foundation governor since 2016 but my links with the Star of the Sea school family began when my own children began attending back in 2010. I believe that all children should have the best opportunities and experiences to achieve educationally and grow personally within the school environment and will continue to support the school to achieve this."
Martin Hughes
Foundation Governor
"I have been a Foundation Governor since 2016. I initially got involved with fundraising for the PTA when both of my children attended Star of the Sea. Through my then employer Barclays Bank, I was able to obtain matched funding for numerous Christmas and summer fayres. In 2016, as a practising Catholic, the opportunity arose to apply for a role as a foundation governor. As the school's ethos and Christian principles are of great importance to me, I decided that I would like to become a governor to support our amazing Star of the Sea children, family and staff. My 20 years experience in banking has allowed me to assist in the role of finance governor. As a junior cricket coach at Percy Main Cricket Club I'm also very keen to see children given the opportunity to flourish and grow during their time at Star of the Sea."
David Thompson
Staff Governor
David is our staff Governor. He represents staff at all meetings.
Louise Harrison
Parent Governor
"I have been parent governor since 2022. I chose to get involved as I currently have two children at the school and have seen how much they have flourished since they started there.
I see my governor role as being a parent voice on the governing board and supporting the school to offer the best possible education and diverse opportunities to all of its pupils. I also offer links with the five North East Universities via my role working in Higher Education and have been happy to support with arranging for university representatives to visit the school to work with pupils as well as for pupils to visit local university campuses."
