Academy Council

Academy Council Statement September 2022

Academy Council Structure and Responsibilities

Attendance at Academy Council Meetings

Former members of the Academy Council who have served within the last 12 months:

Dominic Lusardi

• Term ended 05/9/2023
• Business Interests: Middlesbrough College
• Governance interests: none
• Relationship to member of the school staff: none

Annette Sowden 

• Term ended 31/8/2023
• Business Interests: none
• Governance interests: Foundation Governor SFX Richmond and Governor Leyburn Primary School
• Relationship to member of the school staff: none

Mary Young

• Term ended 31/3/2023
• Business interests: none
• Governance interests: none
• Relationship to member of the school staff: none

Tak On Wong

• Term ended 9/3/2023
• Business interests: none
• Governance interests: none
• Relationship to member of the school staff: none

Rachel Rouse

• Term ended 31/12/2022
• Business interests: none
• Governance interests: none
• Relationship to member of the school staff: none

Mary Beggs-Reid

• Term ended 05/10/2022
• Business interests: none
• Governance interests: none
• Relationship to member of the school staff: none

Jonathan Haley 

• Term ended 01/09/2022
• Business interests: none
• Governance interests: none
• Relationship to member of the school staff: none

Valerie Clemerson

• Term ended 01/09/2022
• Business interests: none
• Governance interests: none
• Relationship to member of the school staff: none

What we do:

Academy Council Members are jointly responsible for the conduct of the school, ensuring that the best possible Catholic education is provided for the pupils attending the school. 

We provide strategic direction to the school by:

• setting its aims and objectives

• establishing policies and targets to achieve them

• monitoring, evaluating and reviewing the progress of the school

As members of the Academy Council, we are the employers of the school staff, teaching and support, with the legal and ethical responsibilities of good employers.  We each take on a serious responsibility and make available time and energy to:

• attend meetings;

• consider documents;

• undertake governor training;

• visit the school.

Foundation Members have an additional responsibility to preserve and develop the Catholic ethos and distinctive Catholic nature of our school.

Link Academy Council Member

1. At St. Joseph’s School link academy councilors are appointed by the academy council to understand, oversee, monitor and report on their subject area especially focusing on any specific aspects of the School Development Improvement Plan (SDIP). Link academy councilors enrich the whole academy council's understanding of their particular area and contribute to informed decision making. 

2. We also consider that link academy councilors help the academy council to develop positive links with staff and create a visible and professional profile within the school. Each AC member is a Class Link acting as a supportive friend ( attending assemblies, school visits etc) ,and Subject Link as a critical friend ( looking at Action plans and Policies/subject data and assessment).

3. There are additional link academy councilors who have specific roles in supporting the academy council to fulfil its statutory responsibilities in areas such as Child Protection, Special Educational Needs, Catholic Life of the School and Health & Safety. 

Please see below for more information about the role of a  Link Academy Councilor:

Role of the Link Academy Councilor

Academy Council Annual Statements and Information

• Academy Council Statement September 2021

• Letter from Chair of Governors Re. COVID-19 June 2020

Scheme of Delegation

• St. Joseph’s Harrogate Scheme of Delegation (PDF)

Academy Conversion

Academy Conversion Letter to Parents 15 May 2015 

St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Harrogate, a Voluntary Academy joined The Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust on 1 July 2015.

Visit The Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust website