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:
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 Joanne Shaw - Head Teacher
Mr Neil Bell - Staff Governor and Deputy Head Teacher
Mrs Julie McDonald - Co-opted Governor and Middle Leader
Miss Laura Kendall - Associate Governor and Middle Leader
Mr Andrew Whitehead - Co-opted governor.
Miss Christine Jarvis - Parent Governor
Maureen Nair - Chair of Governors
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
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
Term of office end date - 24th January 2024
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.
Joanne E. Shaw
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
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
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.
Mark Eltringham
Katherine Hardy
I have two children at Catchgate Primary School and became a parent governor about 3 years 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
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.
Miss Christine Jarvis
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.
Mr Andrew Whitehead
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
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 13th October |
Finance and premises committee 13th October |
Interim finance committee 24th November |
|
Neil Bell |
P |
P |
- |
- |
- |
|
Gill Davidson |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
|
Mark Eltringham |
A/A |
A/A |
P |
P |
P |
|
Katherine Hardy |
P |
P |
- |
- |
- |
|
Julie McDonald |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
|
Maureen Nair |
P |
P |
N |
N |
P |
|
Ian Riley |
P |
A/A |
- |
- |
- |
|
Joanne Shaw |
P |
P |
P |
P |
P |
|
Jeanette Stephenson |
P |
- |
|
- |
- |
|
Laura Kendall |
P |
- |
P |
- |
- |
|
Attendance at Meetings: Spring Term 2021
|
Governing Body 28th January |
Curriculum and Standards committee 21st January |
Staffing committee 23rd February |
Finance and premises committee 23rd February |
Interim finance committee 23rd March |
|
Neil Bell |
P | P | - | P |
|
|
Gill Davidson |
P | P | P | P |
|
|
Mark Eltringham |
P | A/A | N | P |
|
|
Katherine Hardy |
P | P | - | - |
|
|
Julie McDonald |
P | P | P | P |
|
|
Maureen Nair |
P | P | N | P |
|
|
Ian Riley |
P | P | - | - |
|
|
Joanne Shaw |
P | P | P | P |
|
|
Jeanette Stephenson |
P | - | - | - |
|
|
Laura Kendall |
P | - | P | - |
|
|
Christine Jarvis |
P | - | P | P | ||
Andrew Whitehead | P | - | P | P |
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 13th September |
Curriculum and Standards committee 6th September |
Staffing committee 16th October |
Finance and premises committee 16th October |
Interim finance committee 27th November |
Curriculum and Standards committee 13th December |
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 24th January |
Curriculum and Standards committee 17th January |
Staffing committee 26th February |
Finance and premises committee 26th February |
Interim finance committee 26th March |
Curriculum and Standards committee 4th April |
|
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 |
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 14th Sept 2017 |
Community committee 14th Sept 2017 |
Children and school’s committee 14th Sept 2017 |
Personnel committee 17th Oct 2017 |
Personnel committee 21st Nov 2017 |
Finance committee 17th October 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
25th January |
Children and school’s committee 25th January |
Personnel committee 30th January |
Personnel committee
27th March |
Finance committee
30th January |
Finance committee
27th March |
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 |
|
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 15th September |
Community committee 15th September |
Children and school’s committee 15th September |
Personnel committee 20th October |
Personnel committee 1ST December |
Finance committee 13th September |
Finance committee 22nd 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 19th January 2017 |
Personnel committee 15th March 2017 |
Finance committee 24th January 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 11th May 2017 |
Community committee 11th May 2017 |
Children and school’s committee 11th May 2017 |
Personnel committee 17th May 2017 |
Personnel committee 18th July 2017 |
Finance committee 2nd May 2017 |
Finance committee 18th 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
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.