BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Governance & Delegation:
Emmanuel Schools Foundation (“the Trust”) is legally accountable for every school in the Trust. The CEO is accountable to the Trust for the performance and delivery of the whole organisation. The CEO is advised by the Executive Team who are responsible for finances and resources, and the learning and academic progress of all students. Bede Academy currently has in place a local governing body provided by the Trust. The Principal, supported by the LGB, is the vision-holder and driving force responsible for achieving excellence for those in school which he leads and manages. The Chair of the Local Governing Body (LGB) and LGB members have delegated responsibility to discuss and act as ‘critical friends’ in carrying out governance functions to achieve the excellence in all areas of school life.
The processes of decision-making and lines of delegated accountability are set out in the Scheme of Delegation which can be found here.
Any letter intended for the Chair of Governors should be addressed to:
Miss C Taylor, Company Secretary, Trinity House, Sixth Avenue, Blyth, NE24 2SY
01670543566 – option 2
C/O Christine Taylor, Company Secretary, Trinity House, Sixth Avenue, Blyth, NE24 2SY
THE GOVERNING BODY
Mrs Lucy Cooke
ChairDate Of Appointment: 27/11/2018 Responsibility: SEND (Secondary) (interim) / Leadership & Management / EYFS. Lucy graduated from Staffordshire University with an honours degree in German and History.
Mr Steven Grant
VICE CHAIRDate Of Appointment: 05/02/2021 Responsibility: Safeguarding, CP & LAC (interim) / Healthy & Safety / Stakeholder & Community Engagement (Secondary), including Student Participation. Having begun his teaching career in South Tyneside, he joined the Emmanuel College English team in September 1993. He has subsequently worked in a variety of roles, particularly related to Pastoral Care. Whilst being a governor at Bede Academy he has actively engaged with members of the community to help build up productive links towards benefitting students.
Rev Ian Flintoff
Local GovernorDate Of Appointment: 25/11/2020 Responsibility: Ethos & British Values, inlcuding the Personal Development Curriculum / People & Wellbeing. Ian Flintoft has been Vicar of St Bede's Newsham and St Mary's Horton since October 2019, and Area Dean of Bedlington Deanery since January 2023. He is also a governor of Newsham Primary School.
Mr Nick Oates
Local GovernorDate Of Appointment: 13/10/2023 Responsibility: Sixth Form / Careers Education & Guidance (Secondary) / Finance & Projects. Nick is an entrepreneurial Business Leader, a Chartered Engineer, and Chartered Director with experience within the Energy, Marine and Construction industries. He has over 25 years industry experience, holds an MSc in Engineering from Robert Gordon University, and has won various industry awards including the Institute of Directors, new Director of the Year.
Mr James Crowther
Local GovernorDate Of Appointment: 06/02/2024 Responsibility: SEND (Primary) / Careers Education & Guidance (Primary) / Stakeholder & Community Engagement (Primary), including Student Participation. Having begun his teaching career in South Tyneside, he joined the Emmanuel College English team in September 1993. He has subsequently worked in a variety of roles, particularly related to Pastoral Care. He is now enjoying the role of governor at Bede Academy, actively engaging with members of the community to help build up productive links that will benefit students.
Mr Matthew Milton
Local GovernorDate Of Appointment: 31/03/2025 Responsibility: Leadership & Management Matthew is a former primary school teacher with five years’ experience, specialising in Key Stage 1 and Lower Key Stage 2. He led the PE curriculum and brought energy and enthusiasm to the classroom. Now a Principal Consultant in education recruitment, Matthew uses his teaching experience to support schools in finding the right staff.
Mrs Charlotte Webster
Local GovernorDate Of Appointment: 29/04/2026 Charlotte is a member of the senior leadership team at Christ’s College and was appointed as Assistant Vice Principal in 2021. She is responsible for curriculum development, Y9 pathways and transition, KS4Raising Standards, Pupil Premium, EVC, Assessment oversight (KS3 and KS4) and timetabling. Charlotte is a history teacher. She has previously worked at Bede Academy from2009-2021, firstly as a Teacher of History, Head of History and then Head of Humanities. Charlotte is a mother of three children often spending time outdoors exploring the Northeast.
MEET THE TEAM
Mr S Elsworth
Acting Principal
Mr R Burns
Head of school - primary
Mr D Warburton
Finance Director
Mrs C Taylor
Company Secretary PROCEDURES
The Board of Trustees appoints each governor after the completion of a skills audit to ensure a full comprehensive cohort of governors.
The term of office is for a duration of four years after which a Governor may be re-elected.
The Declarations of Interest for the governing body can be found below.
Governance functions are delegated to the Local Governing Body (“LGB”) by the ESF Board. The details of the delegation are contained within a scheme of delegation which can be found in the Governance section of the ESF website.
The governing body convenes at least twice per term, focusing on curriculum and standards once a term, and finance and resources once a term.
Governor attendance at Local Governor Board meetings can be found in the attached document.
GOVENOR ATTENDANCE
DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
GOVERNANCE ANNUAL ACHIEVEMENTS
2025-2026
GOVERNANCE ANNUAL ACHIEVEMENTS
2024-2025
If you are interested in becoming a governor, please complete the form below and send it back to us.
ESF Application Form – member, trustee or local governor
Governor – If you are applying to join a particular school within the Foundation.
Trustee – If you are applying to join Emmanuel Schools Foundation.
On our Trust Website, you can find comprehensive information about our ESF members and trustees, including their profiles and roles within the organisation. This page also features a detailed register of business and financial interests, ensuring transparency and accountability in all our operations. Explore the ESF page to learn more about the people behind our governance and their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and stewardship.
In addition to individual schools’ policies, a number of policies govern the running of the Foundation, including: Behaviour Policy, Charging and Remissions Policy, Complaints Policy, Staff with Benefits in Excess of £100k, Union official staff, Gender Pay Gap, Freedom of Information publication schemes, Apprenticeships Target, Health & Safety Policy, Modern Slavery Act Statement and Whistle Blowing Policy.
You can find all Trust documents including the Current Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association, which set out the foundational legal framework and governing rules of the trust. In addition, the Funding Agreement and any Supplemental Funding Agreements are all available. You can also find the Audited Annual Reports and Accounts, from the last two years.