Our Academy Committee

New College Durham Academies Trust

Castleside Primary School is a member of the New College Durham Academies Trust. Trusts are founded by members and run by trustees.

The Trustees have identified that each school in the Trust will have a dedicated committee to oversee governance arrangements of the school on their behalf. This committee is called the Academy Committee and its members work closely with school leaders in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for all pupils.

Role of the Academy Committee

The role of the Academy Committee is to provide confident, strategic leadership and to create robust accountability, oversight and assurance for educational and financial performance.

The Academy Committee meet at least three times per academic year but most meet more frequently through committee meetings. There is an expectation that governors will also undertake monitoring visits into school to find out more about the school throughout the year.

The Academy Trust Governance Guide sets out guidance on strategic leadership and governance of academy trusts.

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, please contact NCDAT's Head of Governance, Victoria Miller - V.Miller@ncdat.org.uk

Our Governors

Name	Position	Term of Office	Special Interest	Register of Interests
Jo Woodhall	Head Teacher	01/09/2024		Facility and Sports Club Development Services Ltd - Husband is Company Director - provides advice and support to community organisations and schools re: sports facilities (from 10/12/2019 to current).
Judith Robson	General Governor and the Chair	22/01/2012 - 21/01/2026	Chair; Link Governor for Safeguarding, and Community	Councillor at Healeyfield Parish Council (from 01/09/2016 to current), Employee at Lloyds Bank (from 24/06/1985 to current).
Victoria Morris	Parent Governor	13/05/2021 - 12/05/2025		None
Heather Farrimond	Parent Governor and the Vice-Chair	19/05/2021 - 18/05/2025	Vice-Chair; Link Governor for Maths, and Early Years	None
Ann Penny	General Governor	22/06/2022 - 21/06/2026	Link Governor for Community, PE, Sport, and Vulnerable Children	Director of Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club (from 06/12/2021 to 06/12/2027).
Stephanie Hughes	Staff Governor	08/11/2022 - 07/11/2026		None
Susan Stephenson	Staff Governor	25/03/2025 – 24/03/2029
Sara Toole	General Governor	25/03/2025 – 24/03/2029
Jude Robinson	General Governor	25/03/2025 – 24/03/2029

Governor Attendance

2024-2025

atendance possible and actual.pdf

2023-2024

Name	FGB Meeting 20/06/23	Finance/Premises & Staffing Committee Meeting 10/10/23	Curriculum & Standards Committee Meeting 17/10/23	Full Governors Meeting 26/03/2024	Full Governors Meeting 15/07/2024
Mrs Judith E Robson - Chair	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Ms Julie Tyers - Vice Chair	✓	n/a	n/a	✓	✓
Mrs Alison Spence	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Victoria Morris	✓	n/a	n/a	✓	Apologies
Heather Farrimond	✓	n/a	n/a	✓	✓
Mr Adam Pearson	✓	✓	n/a	-	-
Denise Franklin	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Ruth Stanton	✓	✓	n/a	✓	✓
Mrs Ann Penny	n/a	n/a	✓	✓	✓
Lisa Sunley	-	-	-	Apologies	✓
Miss Stephanie Hughes	✓	n/a	✓	Apologies	✓

Governing Body Resigned Members

Name	Position	Term of Office	Special Interest	Register of Interests
Mrs Denise Franklin	Co Opted	16/03/2021 - 24/08/2024	Curriculum & Standards Finance, Premises & Staffing	N/A
Mrs A Spence	Headteacher	01/09/2016 - 31/08/2024		N/A
Ms Julie Tyers - Vice Chair	Parent	14/06/2019 - 13/09/2024	Appeals, Children & Community, Personnel, Headteacher Performance Management	N/A
Lisa Sunley	Co-Opted	02/11/2022 - 16/09/2024		N/A
Ruth Stanton	Governor	19/03/2021 - 18/03/2025	Link Governor for Vulnerable Children, and English