Governors/Academy Council

Please click here for the Scheme of Delegation 

Please click here for Statement of Governance 

Please click here for the 2020 CES Governors Code of Conduct for Academy Councils

Please click here for the 2020 Leeds Diocesan Protocols Document

No Academy council member has declared an interest. Please see the BWCAT website (click here) for further information about the Trust Board - 

Please click here for the Governor attendance for 2021/22

 Please click here for the Governor attendance for 2020/2021

Governor / Academy Council Profiles

Mark Foster - Chair of Governors

I have been a governor now for a number of years, becoming Chair in 2019. Currently I have a son in Year 4 and a daughter who attends St Mary's Menston.   I decided to stand for election as a Parent Governor as I wanted to play a more active part in my children’s education and the wider local community. I have over 18 years experience in the Education sector currently leading on School Improvement,  Initial Teacher Training, and development of teachers for a large MAT in West Yorkshire. I know I am able to provide a wealth of experience through my Senior Leadership roles that are transferable to my role as a Governor.

I am always blown away by the immense talent we have at Ss Peter and Paul, both staff and students alike, and love coming into school as often as I can to catch up with all the superb activities that take place.

Marie Buxton - Foundation Governor/Vice Chair

My name is Marie Buxton and I have worked in education for over 20 years; initially as a secondary school teacher and more recently as a lecturer in teacher education. I have been part of the Ss. Peter and Paul school community since 2005 when my oldest child started the school. I have 3 children; 2 at St. Mary’s and my youngest who is in Year 6. I was elected as a Parent Governor in 2012 and then became a Foundation Governor. During this time I have been impressed by the dedication shown by all the staff and feel proud to be associated with the high quality Catholic education provided by the school.

Mr Power - Headteacher

I am very happy and proud to be the headteacher of Ss Peter and Paul. I have been in post since April 2021 having spent 7 ½ years working as headteacher in a different Catholic school in the Diocese. The academy council play an important role in helping to drive the school forward. They offer an excellent balance of support and challenge to hold my work to account and ensure that we continue to meet the aims and values of our school. As headteacher, I am automatically appointed as a governor and serve on all committees.
Away from school, I enjoy keeping fit by running, playing various sports and spending time with my wife and two young children.

Rachel Hitchenor - Parent Governor

I was delighted to be elected as parent governor in June 2017, as I have a long association with the school and St Mary's Menston having been a former pupil at both schools. My husband and I have a daughter who is currently in Year 4 at the school. 

I am a Registered Nurse and Health Visitor having worked for the NHS for over 28 years. I have studied to Masters Level where I gained a specialist interest in Early Years Development to ensure all children reach their full potential in life, whilst being able to use my expertise in Child Protection/Safeguarding issues to keep all children safe. I am thrilled to be able to draw on my professional knowledge and personal connection with the school to make sure all children who attend Ss Peter and Paul school have the best opportunities to grow and develop in a nurturing environment. 

John Megson - Foundation Governor

As a parent of children who have had the opportunity to be part of our outstanding school, it has been satisfying to see how they have thrived in the environment the teachers and staff have created for them. I was motivated to join the governing body at the back end of 2015 to support the existing positive work of the team by sharing my experience in change management. In my role I manage stakeholder relationships and requirements, appraise options and deliver change in an agile environment.  I will be putting these experiences into practice as part of the main Academy Council and the 'Quality of Education' governor group.

 During my time as a governor, I have enjoyed sharing learning highlights across year groups as well as listening to the constructive views of parents during drop off and pick-ups. As a governor I look forward to working as an active member of the team who ensures that all our children achieve their full potential and really enjoy their experience as part of the Ss Peter and Paul School family

Fr John Carlisle - Foundation Governor

I became Parish Priest at St Peter & St Paul's Church in September 2016, and also started as a Governor at the school.
I have had experience of serving on Governing bodies since 1996, as well as having been a teacher of secondary Religious Education before ordination as a Priest. I have also served as a secondary school Chaplain in Harrogate, and for the last 3 years at St Mary’s Menston, our Catholic High School. Our life together as a Parish and School is happy and healthy and we pray that we will continue to grow together and always remember our task of Mission. I hope my association and partnership with the school and parish continues for many years. 

Andy Croft - Foundation Governor

As a former pupil of the school and a construction professional for the last 20 years,  I have a great deal to offer as a Foundation Governor at the school since March 2013. I am hoping to draw on my professional experiences to help the school and the Governing body. I am married to Louise and have two children who both attend the school, the eldest has now moved on to St Mary's. I enjoy sport and played local football to County Amateur standard and now enjoy cycling. Over the last five years I have witnessed how the school provides a safe, first class learning and caring environment for our children.
I volunteered to become a foundation governor to get involved, help the school retain its distinctiveness and assist the academy council in ensuring the children of our community get the best possible start to their school lives.

Helen Dowden - Foundation Governor

I was really pleased to join the governing body as a Foundation Governor in 2015.  I have 2 daughters in their 20's who attended Ss Peter and Paul school and went on to St Mary's.  I am able to use skills that I gained when I was a manager in the NHS for 10 years.  I have now returned to clinical practice as a Pediatric Physiotherapist and I continue to work in partnership with schools to deliver specialist services for children with additional needs. I am the SEN (special Educational Needs) governor.

As a parent of children who benefited from the opportunities offered by Ss Perter and Paul, I am delighted to actively be involved in the running of the school as it continues to maintain its strong ethos of supporting children to learn and develop in a safe and caring environment.