GOVERNANCE
Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust
Governance Statement
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 need.
The authority for running each school remains at Local Governing Body 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 Michael's Catholic Primary School
Local Governing Committee
Kevin Dawson
Foundation (Vice Chair)
January 27, 2025
May 20, 2029
Eileen Bell
Foundation
May 21, 2025
May 20, 2029
David Brown
Foundation
March 25, 2025
March 24, 2029
Eileen Lomax
Foundation
November 1, 2022
October 31, 2026
Fr Philip Quinn
Foundation
March 6, 2025
March 5, 2029
Graham Wilkins
Foundation
May 21, 2025
May 20, 2029
Pauline Johnstone
Ex-Officio (Headteacher)
September 1, 2003






