St Mary's RCVA Primary School, Blackhill

Pemberton Road, Blackhill, Consett DH8 8JN

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Home / St Mary’s / Our Governing Body

Our Governing Body

Our Vision

To serve the parishes of Our Blessed Lady Immaculate, Blackhill and Our Lady of the Rosary, Shotley Bridge and support families in educating their children in a happy, calm and safe environment where they feel surrounded by God’s love.

It is our vision to provide our children with experiences and opportunities which enable them to become happy, confident and successful adults who contribute positively to the community.

Our aim is to be an outstanding Catholic school, developing and retaining committed and inspirational staff and providing our children with a meaningful education at the heart of our parish community.

St Mary’s Governing Body

Upon joining Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, the Governing Body of St Mary’s was re-constituted in March 2021 and now consists of:

  • Headteacher
  • One Parent Governor (elected by all parents)
  • One Staff Governor (elected by the staff of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School)
  • One Additional Governor (elected by the Local Governing Committee)
  • Six Foundation Governors (people from the parish, nominated by Hexham and Newcastle Roman Catholic Diocese and approved by the Governing Body)

Our Chair of Governors is Dr Joanna Marshall and the Vice-Chair is Mrs Louise Milbourne

 Our Purpose

Although the Headteacher manages the school from day to day, it is the governors, as a corporate body, who are legally responsible for the school and who work together to make decisions which are in the best interest of the children. We are responsible for supporting and challenging the school to provide the best possible education for all children.  As a Governing Body we have three core strategic functions:

  • Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction
  • Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils, and the performance management of staff; and
  • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well sent.

Governors Also:

  • Support and challenge the Headteacher in managing the school
  • Work alongside the Headteacher to determine and agree the School Improvement Plan and set the aims and objectives for the school
  • Determine the policies for the achieving those aims and objectives and monitor their effectiveness
  • Set the targets for achieving those aims and objectives
  • Monitor and evaluate the progress the school is making towards achieving its aims and objectives
  • Appoint Staff
  • Prepare and set the budget and monitor school finances

In practice this usually involves scrutiny and supervision of the Headteacher’s recommendations. However, all of the above are ultimately the responsibility of the governors.

Financial Benchmarking

Mr Miller, the Headteacher, and the governors use the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) Schools Financial Benchmarking website to find similar schools and then compare their per-pupil revenue and expenditure data against spending at St Mary’s. This allows the school to identify areas where spending is comparatively high or low.

Mr Miller works closely with the governors when considering financial decisions, and the Senior Leadership Team are also consulted when developing the systems and processes the school has in place to help ensure spending is efficient and results in the best outcomes for our pupils.

Please click on the link to find out more about financial benchmarking and our school Benchmarking Information.

Governors in School

The Chair of Governors meets regularly with the Headteacher, discussing relevant issues, supporting and at times providing challenge across a range of areas. All governors monitor key areas across the school with a specific focus on ensuring progress is made towards strategic goals and priorities laid out in the School Improvement Plan.

Contacting the Governing Body

The Governing Body welcomes suggestions, feedback and ideas from parents and carers. Please contact the Chair of Governors, Dr Joanna Marshall via the school office or send an email to:  blackhillstmary@durhamlearning.net


View the Governing Body Committee Structure

Click on each name to find out more about each Governor and their responsibilities.

NameCategoryTerm
of
Office
ResponsibilitiesRegister
of
Interests
Relationship
to
Staff
Admissions*First
Committee


Headteacher
Appraisal
Second
Committee
(Appeals)
Children
and
Community
Mr David Miller - HeadteacherHeadteacher15/3/21
ongoing
Ex-OfficioNoneNone✓✓
Dr Joanna Marshall Foundation15/3/21 -
14/3/25
ChairNoneNone✓✓✓✓
Mrs Louise MilbourneFoundation-Vice- Chair
PE
NoneNone✓✓
Father Tom McHale Foundation 15/3/21 -
14/3/25
Parish Priest
RE & Ethos
NoneNone✓✓
Mrs Kathryn HunterFoundation15/3/21 -
14/3/25
Safeguarding
MFL
NoneNone✓✓
Mrs Michelle DaleFoundation 15/3/21 -
14/3/25
-NoneNone✓✓
Rev Chris Callan Foundation 15/3/21 -
14/3/25
Pupil Premium
Covid Premium
NoneNone✓✓
Mr Chris AffleckParent3/3/21 -
15/3/25
SEND
Mental Health
NoneNone✓✓✓✓
Mr Ian McGeorgeAdditional
Governor
26/2/21 -
19/3/25
Health & SafetyNoneNone✓✓✓
Mrs Michelle Ross Staff20/3/21 -
19/3/25
-NoneNone✓✓

*First Committee (Complaints, Exclusions, Reorganisation, Grievances, Capability, Disciplinary)

How To Become A School Governor

If you require further information on the roles and responsibilities of School Governors or you are interested in becoming one, visit the Durham County Council website School Governor section.


Governor Attendance

Schools are required to display a record of Governor attendance at meetings for each school academic year.

KEY
✓   – Attended meeting
A   – Apologies sent and accepted by meeting
N   – Did not attend
n/a  – Not a member of the committee

Record of Attendance 2021-2022

CommitteeMr
David
Miller
Dr
Joanne
Marshall
Mrs
Louise
Milbourne
Father
Tom
McHale
Mrs
Kathryn
Hunter
Mrs
Michelle
Dale
Rev
Chris
Callan
Mr
Chris
Affleck
Mr
Ian
McGeorge
Mrs
Michelle
Ross
Mrs
Michelle
Butler
Mrs
Amanda
Bates
Miss
Steph
Hughes
Meeting
Meeting
Meeting

Archived Attendance and Structure
You can also view previous years attendance on our website.


Committee Terms of Reference

We will be adding this information soon.

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The Local Offer
FMSIS

Quality Mark
Investors in People
School Achievement Award

Copyright © 2022 St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Pemberton Road

Blackhill

Consett

DH8 8JD

Tel 01207 502 657 · Email blackhillstmary@durhamlearning.net


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©2021 Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales under company registration number 7890590. Registered office: Old Durham Road, Gateshead, NE9 6RZ.

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