Local Governing Committee

St Joseph's Catholic Primary and Nursery School

The academy is part of the Catholic Church and is conducted as a Catholic Academy in accordance with Canon Law and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and in accordance with the Trust Deed of the Diocese of Clifton and in particular: 

1. Religious education is to be in accordance with the teachings, doctrines, disciplines and general and particular norms of the Catholic Church 
2. Religious worship is to be in accordance with the rites, practices, discipline and liturgical norms of the Catholic Church; and 
3. At all times the academy is to serve as a witness to the Catholic faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ 

The academy is a members of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust 

Up to 10 Governors recruited for their skills, knowledge, and experience in the following categories: 

• 6 x Foundation
• 2 x Staff (including Headteacher ex officio)
• 2 x Parent

The Governors are responsible for fulfilling the three core 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;
• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent.

As a Catholic School, we have Foundation Governors on the Board. Foundation Governors are personally appointed by the Bishop to represent his interests and those of the Catholic community as a whole. As we as sharing the responsibility of the three core functions, Foundation Governors are appointed specifically to ensure:

• that the religious character of the school is preserved
• that the school is conducted in accordance with its trust deed
• that the religious education curriculum is in accordance with the Bishop’s policy for the Diocese.

Our Governors are:

Rebecca Suik

Staff Governor - Ex-officio 

Responsibilities: Headteacher 

Date Appointed: N/A

Appointing Body: Governing Board

Term of Office: N/A

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Employed by the Trust

Governance Roles in other educational institutions: None

Theresa Dyke (Chair of Governors)

Foundation Governor

Responsibilities: School Improvement Plan, Curriculum

Date Appointed: 20/09/2023

Appointing Body: Diocese of Clifton

Term of Office: 4 Years 

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Grandchild in school

Governance Roles in other educational institutions: None

Maria De Leon

Foundation Governor

Responsibilities: Finance, Pupil Premium & Grants

Date Appointed: 11/12/2023

Appointing Body: Diocese of Clifton

Term of Office: 4 Years 

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Richen Foods, Richen Properties, Children in School

Governance Roles in other educational institutions: None

Becci McErlain

Parent Governor

Responsibilities: Safeguarding, H&S, Attendance

Date Appointed: 06/03/2024

Appointing Body: Elected by Parents

Term of Office: 4 Years 

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Iris Betty Creative Designs, Taylor Made Events Ltd, Children in School

Governance Roles in other educational institutions: None

Patricia Bailey

Foundation Governor

Responsibilities: 

Date Appointed: 21/03/2025

Appointing Body: Diocese of Clifton

Term of Office: 4 Years 

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: 

Governance Roles in other educational institutions: 

Kate Dyer

Parent Governor

Responsibilities: 

Date Appointed: 14/05/2025

Appointing Body: Elected by Parents

Term of Office: 4 Years 

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: Children in School

Governance Roles in other educational institutions: 

Rosanna Page

Staff Governor

Responsibilities: 

Date Appointed: 01/09/2025

Appointing Body: Elected by Staff

Term of Office: 4 Years 

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: 

Governance Roles in other educational institutions: 

Patricia Payton

Foundation Governor

Responsibilities: 

Date Appointed: 01/09/2025

Appointing Body: Diocese of Clifton

Term of Office: 4 Years 

Business, Personal and Pecuniary Interests: 

Governance Roles in other educational institutions: Governor for St Joseph's in Bridgwater, Governor for the Wessex Learning Trust

Please follow this link to view information on the Trust Board including financial information and register of business interests.

https://www.thedcet.com/key-information/governance/