Governing Body Information

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 Maureen Nair - Co-opted Governor and Chair of the Governing Body
Mrs Gill Davidson - Co-opted Governor and vice-chair of the Governing Body
Councillor Jeanette Stephenson - Authority Governor
Mr Ian Riley - Co-opted Governor
Mr Mark Eltringham - Parent Governor and vice-chair of the Governing Body
Mrs Katherine Hardy - Parent Governor
Mrs Joann Sharkey - Parent Governor
Mrs Joanne Shaw - Head Teacher
Mr Neil Bell - Staff Governor and Deputy Head Teacher
Mrs Julie McDonald - Co-opted Governor and Middle Leader
Mr Bill McDowall - Associate Member and Extended Services Co-ordinator

Maureen Nair - Chair of Governors

An Authority elected Governor who was put forward by the Elected Members and then ratified by the Full Governing Body.
Term of office end date - 31st August 2023
Chair of the Hearings/First Committee
Also a member of the following committees - Curriculum and Standards - Chair, Finance and Premises and Staffing
Voting rights on all committees named above
Register of interests - None declared

I have been Chair of the Governing Body of Catchgate Primary School for over 15years but have been on the Governing Body for over 25 years most of the time as an Authority elected representative. I find that my experience in business, specialising in Human Resource Management, transfers very readily into the school. I have always been proud to be associated with Catchgate Primary School - my son attended and it gave him a great start in his education. We have a great school in Catchgate, which over the last 12 years has gone from strength to strength; it is a credit to the staff and the pupils.

Gill Davidson

A Community elected Governor who was co-opted and appointed by the Full Governing Body.
Term of office end date - 31st October 2024
A member of the following committees - Curriculum and Standards, Finance and Premises and Appeals.
Voting rights on all committees named above
Register of interests - None declared

I have been a Governor at Catchgate School for 24 years. I was appointed originally as a Parent Governor and when my children left the school I was invited to become Community Governor.

Ian Riley

A Community elected Governor who was co-opted and appointed by the Full Governing Body.
Term of office end date - January 2024
Register of interests - None declared
A member of the Curriculum and Standards Committee.

I have been a Governor for 2 years now. I went to the original Catchgate School and I have two children currently at the school. I think that being a Governor at the school and contributing my skills, knowledge and experiences will have a positive impact on our children's future.

Joann Sharkey

A Parent Governor who was elected by the parent community.
Term of office end date - 31st October 2021
A member on the Finance and Premises and Staffing Committees as well as First/Hearing.
Register of interests - None declared

Hello, my name is Joann Sharkey, I have 5 children who have all come to Catchgate Primary School. Currently I have 2 children still attending Catchgate Primary with the older boys at North Durham Academy. Lots of the children will know me as I work here as a Lunchtime Supervisor. I applied to be a Governor as I wanted to know more about the school and how it is managed. At the weekend I enjoy walking my dog, Rex, with my children.

Joanne E. Shaw

Staff Governor and Head Teacher.
Term of office end date - 31st August 2023
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

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 22 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.

Neil Bell

A Staff Governor who was elected by staff in school.
Deputy Head Teacher and Year 6 teacher
Term of office end date - 31st January 2023
A member of the following committee - Curriculum and Standards
Voting rights on all committees named above
Register of interests - None declared

I have been a staff governor since 2012 when I joined the school as Deputy Head. During this time I have led on Mathematics, ICT/Computing and Assessment. Prior to my governor role here at Catchgate, I held a post of staff governor for 8 years in my previous school. I enjoy my role in school as I get to see the progress made not just for my class but for the whole school. I see it as my job to ensure that staff are challenging our children enough to meet their potential and that we have enough information about the children to enable us as educators to do that. I enjoy the challenge that being a staff governor can bring as we give updates on progress and are questioned about the information we present.

Julie McDonald

A Staff Governor who was elected by staff in school.
Key Stage 1 Leader
Term of office end date - 31st August 2023
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 25 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 Literacy co-ordinator. I am Staff Governor and as such represent the views of all members of our increasing staff.

Bill McDowall

An Associate Governor
Extended Services Co-ordinator
Term of office end date - 2nd June 2023
A member of the following committees - Curriculum and Standards and Staffing
Voting rights on all committees named above
Register of interests - Partner Eileen audits School Fund

I am the SEN Governor on the Governing Body. I became a Governor so that I could attain a greater understanding and knowledge of the whole school structure and because I would like to help the next generation on their educational path. My background before joining Catchgate was firstly in horticulture, then entertainment and hospitality management. I bring with me a wealth of skills in man management, personnel, marketing, finance, public speaking and a good sense of humour! I also enjoy meeting and talking to people.

Mark Eltringham

A parent Governor
Term of office end date - 2nd June 2021
A member of the following committees - Curriculum and Standards, Finance and Premises (Chair) and Staffing
Voting rights on all committees named above
Register of interests - None

Katherine Hardy

A Parent elected Governor
Term of office end date - 2nd June 2023
A member of the following committee - Curriculum and Standards
Voting rights on all committees named above
Register of interests - None

I have two children at Catchgate Primary School and became a parent governor about 18 months ago. I took on this role to understand more about how the school is managed and what is involved in the running of a good school. I also wanted to become involved in supporting the school in providing good quality education and to help ensure that all children reach their full potential while they are at this school. Since taking up the role of governor I have also become a parent SEN governor, this has involved working the SENCO at the school by encouraging good relationships and the involvement of parents with SEN children.

Councillor Jeanette Stephenson

An Authority Governor
Term of office end date - 01.05.2022
A member of the following committee -
Voting rights on all committees named above
Register of interests - None

I have always had an interest in working with and supporting young people. I worked for Durham County Council for 39 years 20 of those in the local library in Annfield Plain where my love of reading and the joy it brings led to me becoming the Children’s Librarian working with all the schools in the area. When I became a County Councillor becoming part of the local school community again in Catchgate Primary School was a great opportunity for me to get involved in young peoples lives helping to shape and support the local community of the future.

Meetings Autumn 2018

Thursday 6th September 2018

2.00 p.m. Curriculum and Standards Committee meeting

Thursday 13th September 2018

4.00 p.m. Governing Body meeting

Tuesday 16th October

9.15 a.m. Staffing Committee meeting

10.15 a.m. Finance and premises Committee meeting

Tuesday 27th November 2018

9.15 a.m. Interim Finance Committee meeting

Thursday 13th December 2018

4.00 p.m. Curriculum and Standards Committee meeting - data briefing

Meetings Spring 2019

Thursday 17th January 2019

2.00 p.m. Curriculum and Standards Committee meeting

Thursday 24th January 2019

4.00 p.m. Governing Body meeting

Thursday 26th February 2019

9.15 a.m. Staffing Committee meeting

10.15 a.m. Finance and premises Committee meeting

Thursday 26th March 2019

9.15 a.m. Interim Finance Committee meeting

Thursday 4th April 2019

4.00 p.m. Curriculum and Standards Committee meeting - data briefing session 2

Meetings Summer 2019

Thursday 25th April 2019

2.00 p.m. Curriculum and Standards Committee meeting

Thursday 9th May 2019

4.00 p.m. Governing Body meeting

Tuesday 21st May 2019

9.15 a.m. Staffing Committee meeting

10.15 a.m. Finance and premises Committee meeting

Tuesday 2nd July 2019

9.15 a.m. Interim Finance Committee meeting

Thursday 11th July 2019

4.00 p.m. Curriculum and Standards Committee meeting - data briefing session 3

Meetings Autumn 2019

Thursday 12th September 2019

4.00 p.m. Governing Body meeting

Meetings Autumn 2020

Thursday 10th September 2020

4.00 p.m. Governing Body meeting

Thursday 1st October 2020

4.00 p.m. Curriculum and Standards Committee meeting

Tuesday 13th October 2020

9.15 a.m. Staffing Committee meeting

10.15 a.m. Finance and premises Committee meeting

Tuesday 24th November 2020

9.15 a.m. Interim Finance Committee meeting

Meetings Spring 2021

Thursday 21st January 2021

2 p.m. Curriculum and Standards Committee meeting

Thursday 28th January 2021

4.00 p.m. Governing Body meeting

Tuesday 23rd February 2021

9.15 a.m. Staffing Committee meeting

10.15 a.m. Finance and premises Committee meeting

Tuesday 23rd March 2021

9.15 a.m. Interim Finance Committee meeting

Meetings Summer 2021

Tuesday 4th May 2021

9.15 a.m. Staffing Committee meeting

10.15 a.m. Finance and premises Committee meeting

Thursday 13th May 2021

2 p.m. Curriculum and Standards Committee meeting

4.00 p.m. Governing Body meeting

Tuesday 22nd June 2021

9.15 a.m. Interim Finance Committee meeting

Record of Governor Attendance 2020-2021

Governors have excellent attendance at meetings and we have never cancelled a meeting because it was not “quorate” (the number of governors needed to ensure the legal decisions can be made).

Attendance at meetings during the autumn term 2020 was as follows: -

	Governing Body 10th September	Curriculum and Standards committee 1st October	Staffing committee 13^th October	Finance and premises committee 13^thOctober	Interim finance committee 24th November
Neil Bell	P
Gill Davidson	P
Mark Eltringham	A/A
Katherine Hardy	P
Julie McDonald	P
Bill McDowall	A/A
Maureen Nair	P
Ian Riley	P
Joann Sharkey	N
Joanne Shaw	P
Jeanette Stephenson	P

Record of Governor Attendance 2018 - 2019

Governors have excellent attendance at meetings and we have never cancelled a meeting because it was not “quorate” (the number of governors needed to ensure the legal decisions can be made).

Attendance at meetings during the autumn term 2018 was as follows: -

	Governing Body 13^thSeptember	Curriculum and Standards committee 6^thSeptember	Staffing committee 16^th October	Finance and premises committee 16^thOctober	Interim finance committee 27^thNovember	Curriculum and Standards committee 13^thDecember
Neil Bell	P	P	X	X	X	P
Angela Cooke	P	A/A	A/A	X	X	P
Gill Davidson	P	P	P	P	P	P
Mark Eltringham	P	A/A	P	P	A/A	N
Katherine Hardy	P	P	X	X	X	P
Michele Hodgson	A/A	A/A	P	P	P	A/A
Julie McDonald	P	X	A/A	A/A	P	A/A
Bill McDowall	P	A/A	P	X	X	A/A
Maureen Nair	P	P	P	P	P	N
Ian Riley	P	P	X	X	X	N
Joann Sharkey	A/A	X	P	P	N	X
Joanne Shaw	A/A	P	P	P	P	P
Jeanette Stephenson	A/A	X	X	X	X	X

Attendance at meetings during the spring term 2019 was as follows: -

	Governing Body 24^thJanuary	Curriculum and Standards committee 17^thJanuary	Staffing committee 26th February	Finance and premises committee 26^thFebruary	Interim finance committee 26^thMarch	Curriculum and Standards committee 4^thApril
Neil Bell	P	P	X	X	X	P
Angela Cooke	A/A	A/A	P	X	X	A/A
Gill Davidson	P	P	P	P	P	P
Mark Eltringham	A/A	A/A	A/A	A/A	A/A	P
Katherine Hardy	P	P	X	X	X	A/A
Michele Hodgson	A/A	A/A	A/A	A/A	A/A	A/A
Julie McDonald	P	P	A/A	p	P	P
Bill McDowall	A/A	A/A	P	P	X	A/A
Maureen Nair	P	P	A/A	A/A	P	P
Ian Riley	P	N	X	X	X	P
Joann Sharkey	A/A	X	N	N	N	X
Joanne Shaw	P	P	P	P	P	A/A
Jeanette Stephenson	P	X	X	X	X	X

Record of Governor Attendance 2017 - 2018

Governors have excellent attendance at meetings and we have never cancelled a meeting because it was not “quorate” (the number of governors needed to ensure the legal decisions can be made).

Attendance at meetings during the autumn term 2017 was as follows: -

	Full G. B. meeting 14^thSept 2017	Community committee 14^th Sept 2017	Children and school’s committee 14th Sept 2017	Personnel committee 17th Oct 2017	Personnel committee 21^stNov 2017	Finance committee 17^thOctober 2017	Finance committee 21st Nov 2017
Maureen Nair – Chair	P	P	P	P	A/A	P	P
Gill Davidson	A/A	A/A	A/A	P	P	P	P
Michele Hodgson	P	P	P	A/A	A/A	A/A	A/A
Reverend Heather Murray	A/A	X	X	X	X	X	X
Ian Riley	P	P	P	X	X	X	X
Joann Sharkey	A/A	X	X	X	X	X	X
Neil Bell – DHT	P	P	P	X	X	A/A	A/A
Julie McDonald	P	X	A/A	A/A	A/A	A/A	A/A
Angela Cooke	P	X	A/A	A/A	P	X	X
Bill McDowall	P	A/A	A/A	P	A/A	X	X
Joanne Shaw – HT	P	A/A	A/A	P	P	P	P
Emma Bishop	A/A	X	A/A	X	X	X	X
Katherine Hardy	P	X	X	X	X	X	X
Mark Eltringham – Vice-chair	P	X	X	X	X	X	X

Attendance at spring term meetings 2018: -

	Full G. B. meeting 25th January	Community committee 25^thJanuary	Children and school’s committee 25th January	Personnel committee 30th January	Personnel committee 27th March	Finance committee 30^th January	Finance committee 27^thMarch
Maureen Nair – Chair	P	P	P	P	A/A	P	A/A
Gill Davidson	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Michele Hodgson	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Ian Riley	A/A	A/A	A/A	X	X	X	X
Joann Sharkey	P	X	X	X	N	X	N
Neil Bell – DHT	P	P	P	X	X	A/A	X
Julie McDonald	P	X	P	X	A/A	P	A/A
Angela Cooke	P	X	X	A/A	A/A	X	A/A
Bill McDowall	P	A/A	X	P	P	X	P
Joanne Shaw – HT	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Emma Bishop	P	X	A/A	X	X	X	X
Katherine Hardy	P	X	X	X	X	X	X
Mark Eltringham – Vice-chair	p	X	X	X	P	X	P

KEY
P -       Attended meeting
A/A -    Apologies sent and accepted
N   -     Did not attend
X  -      Not a member of the committee

Attendance at summer term meetings 2018: -

	Full G. B. meeting	Community committee	Children and school’s committee	Personnel committee	Personnel committee	Finance committee	Finance committee
Maureen Nair – Chair
Gill Davidson
Michele Hodgson
Ian Riley				X	X	X	X
Joann Sharkey		X	X	X		X
Neil Bell – DHT				X	X		X
Julie McDonald		X		X
Angela Cooke		X	X			X
Bill McDowall			X			X
Joanne Shaw – HT
Emma Bishop		X		X	X	X	X
Katherine Hardy		X	X	X	X	X	X
Mark Eltringham – Vice-chair		X	X	X		X

Record of Governor Attendance 2016-17

Governors have excellent attendance at meetings and we have never cancelled a meeting because it was not “quorate” (the number of governors needed to ensure the legal decisions can be made).

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

Attendance at meetings during the autumn term 2016 are as follows: -

	Full G. B. meeting 15^th September	Community committee 15^th September	Children and school’s committee 15^th September	Personnel committee 20^th October	Personnel committee 1^ST December	Finance committee 13^th September	Finance committee 22^nd November
Maureen Nair – Chair	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Gill Davidson – Vice-chair	P	P	P	P	P	A/A	P
Michele Hodgson	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Rev. Heather Murray	P	X	X	X	X	X	X
Ian Riley	P	P	X	X	X	X	X
Peter Beston	P	X	X	A/A	A/A	X	X
Joann Sharkey	P	X	X	X	X	X	X
Neil Bell – DHT	P	P	P	X	X	A/A	A/A
Julie McDonald	P	X	A/A	P	P	P	A/A
Angela Cooke	P	X	P	X	X	X	X
Bill McDowall	P	A/A	A/A	P	P	X	X
Joanne Shaw – HT	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Vacancy
Vacancy

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

Attendance at meetings during the spring term

	Full G. B. meeting 26th January 2017	Community committee 26th January 2017	Children and school’s committee 26th January 2017	Personnel committee 19^th January 2017	Personnel committee 15th March 2017	Finance committee 24^thJanuary 2017	Finance committee 15th March 2017
Maureen Nair – Chair	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Gill Davidson – Vice-chair	P	P	P	X	X	P	P
Michele Hodgson	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Reverend Heather Murray	A/A	X	X	X	X	X	X
Ian Riley	P	P	X	X	X	X	X
Peter Beston	P	X	X	N	N	X	X
Joann Sharkey	P	X	X	X	X	X	X
Neil Bell – DHT	A/A	A/A	A/A	X	X	A/A	A/A
Julie McDonald	A/A	X	A/A	P	A/A	A/A	A/A
Angela Cooke	A/A	A/A	A/A	X	X	X	X
Bill McDowall	P	P	X	P	A/A	X	X
Joanne Shaw – HT	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Emma Bishop	P	X	X	X	X	X	X
Vacancy

Attendance at meetings during the summer term

	Full G. B. meeting 11^th May 2017	Community committee 11^th May 2017	Children and school’s committee 11^th May 2017	Personnel committee 17^th May 2017	Personnel committee 18^th July 2017	Finance committee 2^nd May 2017	Finance committee 18^th July 2017
Maureen Nair – Chair	P	P	P	N	P	P	P
Gill Davidson – Vice-chair	P	P	P	X	P	P	P
Michele Hodgson	P	P	P	P	A/A	P	A/A
Reverend Heather Murray	P	X	X	X	X	X	X
Ian Riley	A/A	A/A	A/A	X	X	X	X
Peter Beston	A/A	X	X	A/A	N	X	X
Joann Sharkey	P	X	X	X	P	X	P
Neil Bell – DHT	P	P	P	X	X	X	X
Julie McDonald	P	X	P	P	P	A/A	P
Angela Cooke	A/A	X	A/A	A/A	A/A	X	X
Bill McDowall	P	A/A	A/A	P	P	X	X
Joanne Shaw – HT	P	P	P	P	P	P	P
Emma Bishop	P	X	N	X	X	X	X
Katherine Hardy	P	X	X	X	X	X	X
Mark Eltringham	P	X	X	X	P	X	P

KEY
P -       Attended meeting
A/A -    Apologies sent and accepted
N   -     Did not attend
X  -      Not a member of the committee

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.

Or, you can contact school on 01207 234252 or fill in the form below and a member of the school's Leadership Team will get back to you.

Record of Governor Attendance 2020-2021

Record of Governor Attendance 2018 - 2019

Record of Governor Attendance 2017 - 2018

Record of Governor Attendance 2016-17

How To Become A School Governor

Governor interest contact form

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