Academy Council
Academy Council Statement September 2021
Academy Council Structure and Responsibilities
Name | Position on Academy Council | Term of Office | Lead Governor | Business Interests | Governor Interests | Class link 2021-22 | Relationship to member of school staff |
Jonathan Haley | Foundation member and Chair | 01/09/2021– 31/08/2024 by Bishop | Resources and CPD | None | None | 3 | None |
Aneta Field | Foundation member and Vice-Chair | 13/01/2021 - 12/01/2025 by Bishop | CPD | None | None | 4 | None |
Valerie Clemerson | Foundation member | 02/12/2020 - 01/12/2024 by Bishop | School Development (KPG & TLP) | None | None | Reception | None |
Father Stephen Webb | Foundation member | 01/09/2019 - 31/08/2023 by Bishop | Safeguarding & School Development (TLP only) | None | None | Not applicable | None |
Mary Beggs-Reid | Foundation member | 15/12/2020 – 14/12/2024 by Bishop | NA | None | None | 6 | None |
Roxane Delforge | Foundation member | 19/11/2020 – 18/11/2024 by Bishop | Resources | None | None | 5 | None |
Mary Young | Foundation member | 13/10/2021 – 12/10/2025 by Bishop | NA | None | None | Not applicable | None |
Domini Lusardi | Parent member | 19/11/2020 – 08/11/2024 by election | None | None | None | 1 | None |
Tak On Wong | Parent member | 09/11/2020 – 08/11/2024 by election | None | None | None | 2 | None |
Rachel Rouse | Acting Headteacher | Ex-officio | Safeguarding | None | None | Not applicable | None |
Gill Delahay | Staff Governor | 17/09/2020 - 16/09/2024 | Safeguarding | None | None | Not applicable | None |
Vikki Wilkinson | Clerk | By the Trust | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Attendance at Academy Council Meetings
Name | AC meetings attended 2020-21 |
Jonathan Haley | 6 of 6 |
Valerie Clemerson | 6 of 6 |
Father Stephen Webb | 6 of 6 |
Mary Beggs-Reid | 2 of 5 |
Roxane Delforge | 6 of 6 |
Aneta Field | 6 of 6 |
Dominic Lusardi | 5 of 5 |
Tak On Wong | 5 of 5 |
Rachel Rouse | 6 of 6 |
Gill Delahay | 6 of 6 |
Former members of the Academy Council who have served within the last 12 months:
Alison Ashworth
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Term ended 01/09/2020
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Business interests: none
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Governance interests: Ofsted inspector
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Relationships to member of the school staff: none
Kathryn Dillon
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Term ended 31/08/2021
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Business interests: none
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Governance interests: none
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Relationships 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:
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setting its aims and objectives
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establishing policies and targets to achieve them
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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:
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attend meetings;
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consider documents;
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undertake governor training;
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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:
Academy Council Annual Statements and Information
Scheme of Delegation
Academy Conversion
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