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The Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust

Academy Council

Role of the Academy Council

  • A committee of the Trust Board.
  • Local oversight of, and insight into, every aspect of the school.
  • Bring on-the-ground perspective to the School’s and Trust’s strategic plans.
  • Particular focus on the Catholic life of the school, safeguarding, standards, and through these, educating as many children as possible.
  • Main link to the parish, local community, parents, pupils and staff.
  • Communicate about and promote the School and Trust, including maintaining high numbers of pupils and increasing self-generated income.
  • Important part of the Trust Board’s ‘triangulation’ of data from executive officers, Academy Councils and internal and external auditors (including Ofsted & S48 inspections).
  • Escalate school and local issues to the Trust Board/central team as necessary.
  • Summary: The Academy Council governs the local school aspects that no-one else can.

It is important to note that Academy Councils are seen as a collective and a committee of the Trust Board. Supporting the Headteacher, the school and the Trust, whilst also balancing that with appropriate challenge.

Constitution of Academy Council

The Academy Council has delegated responsibility for monitoring the day-to-day running of the academy. The Academy Council is made up of volunteers who serve as Foundation Governors, Parent Governors, Staff Governors and the Headteacher. Some Governors are appointed by the Diocesan Bishop whilst others are elected by parents or carers of pupils/students at the academy or by staff.

The constitution of the Academy Council includes:

The Headteacher;
2 Parent Governors;
1 Staff Governor;
6 Foundation Governors.

Our Academy Councils

Academy Council Chair of Governors Clerk
Academy Council of
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Ilkley,
a Voluntary Academy
Liz Warhurst Celine Moriarty
c.moriarty@bwcat.org 
Academy Council of
St. Mary’s Horsforth Catholic Voluntary Academy
Aoibheann Kelly-Edwards Michelle Towell
m.towell@bwcat.org 

Academy Council of
St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Otley,
a Voluntary Academy
Tom Banks Vikki Wilkinson
V.Wilkinson@bwcat.org 

Academy Council of
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Pudsey,
a Voluntary Academy

Joseph Miller Vikki Wilkinson
V.Wilkinson@bwcat.org 

Academy Council of
Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School,
a Voluntary Academy

Mark Foster Celine Moriarty
c.moriarty@bwcat.org 
Academy Council of
St. Mary’s Menston,
a Catholic Voluntary Academy
Chris Billington Jo-Anne Hughes
ja.hughes@stmarysmenston.org 

Academy Council of
St Mary's Catholic Primary School Knaresborough, a Voluntary Academy

Monica Uden Emma Hart
e.hart@bwcat.org 

Academy Council of
St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Harrogate, a Voluntary Academy

Aneta Field Celine Moriarty
c.moriarty@bwcat.org 

Academy Council of
Holy Name
Catholic Voluntary Academy

Jessica Wilkinson Emma Hart
e.hart@bwcat.org 

Academy Council of
St. Stephen's Catholic Primary School and Nursery,
a Voluntary Academy

Anne Clews Celine Moriarty
c.moriarty@bwcat.org 

Academy Council of
St Robert’s Catholic Primary School, Harrogate,
a Voluntary Academy

Matthew Blackamore Emma Hart
e.hart@bwcat.org 

Academy Council of
St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate,
a Voluntary Academy

Angela Wicken TBC

Academy Council of
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Tadcaster,
a Voluntary Academy

Deborah Welch LA Clerk 

Barkston Ash Catholic Primary School

Rita Reid  LA Clerk 

St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Barnoldswick       

Anne Wood

Lucy Irven

l.irven@bwcat.org 

St Wilfrid’s Catholic Primary School, Ripon                                                   

Simon McCudden  LA Clerk