The purpose of the Governing Body is to conduct the school with a view to promoting high standards of educational achievement.  Its three core strategic functions are:

• 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 spent.

The DfE publishes financial benchmarking information about schools. To view the financial information for our school, please follow the link below. 

The following are Governors at our school:-

• Mrs Lyndsey Hocking - Parent Governor
• Mr Liam Smith - Staff Governor and Middle Leader
• Rev. Stephen Martin - Co-opted Governor
• Mrs Julie McDonald - Co-opted Governor and Deputy Head Teacher
• Mrs Christine Oliver - Parent Governor and Vice-Chair of the Governing Body
• Mrs Joanne Shaw - Head Teacher
• Mrs Jeanette Stephenson - Co-opted Governor
• Mrs Angela Sterling – Co-opted Governor
• Mr Andrew Whitehead - Co-opted Governor and Chair of the Governing Body

Historical Members:

• Mr Tatenda Munodawafa - 6th January 2023
• Mrs Katherine Hardy - January 2023

Andrew Whitehead - Chair of the Governing Body

• A Co-opted Governor
• Date of Appointment: 23rd January 2021
• Term of office end date - 6th December 2024
• A member of the following committees - Staffing, Curriculum and Standards and Chair of the Finance Committee
• Voting rights on all committees named above
• Register of interests - Married to Lynn Whitehead-Lewis, School Counsellor 

Christine Oliver - Vice-Chair of the Governing Body

• A parent Governor
• Date of Appointment: 1st December 2020
• Term of office end date - 30th November 2024
• A member of the following committees - Finance and Chair of Staffing
• Voting rights on all committees named above
• Register of interests - None

I have two children attending Catchgate Primary School.  I am keen to be involved in the role of Governor and support the school in ensuring our children receive the best education possible.  I believe every child matters, every child deserves the opportunity to receive a high quality education and every child should be inspired to be the best possible version of themselves.

Joanne E. Shaw - Head Teacher

• Staff Governor and Head Teacher
• Date of Appointment: 1st September 2007
• Term of office end date - NA
• A member of the following committees - Curriculum and Standards, Staffing and Finance and Premises
• Voting rights on all committees named above
• Register of interests - Wife of Steve Shaw, Teaching Assistant and sister of Lynn Whitehead-Lewis, School Counsellor

I have worked at Catchgate Primary School since September 2007 and have been a Governor for many years both at Catchgate and at a previous school in East Durham.  I have been a teacher for 26 years and have worked in 3 other schools across the county.  I love my job and adore working with the children and pupils as well as the staff and parents.  It is my role to prepare reports and information to present to Governors at meetings as well as keeping them informed of events and activities when they call into school to carry out their duties.  The Governors at our school are very pro-active - they know what is expected and required of them and they hold myself and senior leaders very accountable for the progress of each and every child.

Julie McDonald - Co-opted Governor

• A co-opted Governor
• Key Stage 1 Leader
• Date of Appointment: 31st August 2019
• Term of office end date - 2nd September 2027
• A member of the following committees -  Finance and Premises and Staffing.
• GDPR Data Protection Officer
• Voting rights on the committee named above
• Register of interests - None declared

I have worked at Catchgate Primary School for over 30 years and I am still passionate about my job and keen for all the children in my care, to meet their potential in all areas of school life. I have taught in all year groups across the school and have been co-ordinator for RE, History, Geography, Maths and English throughout the years. I am now Curriculum Lead for the foundation subjects and SENCO. I am Staff Governor and as such represent the views of all members of our increasing staff.

Lyndsey Hocking

• A Parent Governor who was elected by parents in school
• Date of Appointment: 24th February 2021
• Term of office end date - 10th May 2027
• A member of the following committee - Curriculum and Standards
• Voting rights on all committees named above
• Register of interests - None declared

Councillor Christine Bell

• An Authority Governor
• Date of Appointment: 2nd July 2021
• Term of office end date - 1st May 2022
• A member of the following committee - None
• Voting rights on all committees named above
• Register of interests - None

Mrs Jeanette Stephenson

• A Co-opted Governor
• Date of Appointment: 3rd May 2023
• Term of office end date - 2nd May 2027
• A member of the following committee - Staffing
• Voting rights on all committees named above
• Register of interests - None

Mrs Angela Stirling

• A Co-opted Governor
• Date of Appointment: 16th May 2022
• Term of office end date - 15th May 2026
• A member of the following committee - Curriculum and standards, finance and staffing
• Voting rights on all committees named above
• Register of interests - Owner of Lingotots, company who provide MFL teachers to school. 

Meeting Dates 2023-2024

Attendance at Governor meetings 2023 - 2024

Full Governing Body Meetings

Staffing Committee

Finance and Premises

Curriculum and standards

Please read the document below to see the planned dates of all Governing Body meetings throughout this school year.

Committee meetings 2023 - 2024

How To Become A School Governor

Please contact the school on 01207 234252 and a member of the school's Leadership Team will get back to you.