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Governance

The school is part of the Diocese of Coventry Multi Academy Trust and the AGC is part of the governance structure of the Trust which is responsible for overseeing strategic decisions of the school. The governance structure for the trust as a whole is outlined in the governance structure documents here. As an Academy Governance Committee we work in close partnership with the Headteacher and senior leadership team to ensure the best quality education is provided to every child. It is our responsibility to support, challenge, ask questions and ultimately represent the school community. The Academy Governance Committee acts as a ‘critical friend’ to the senior leadership team, questioning and challenging decisions in a constructive and professional way.

Academy Governance Committees have key roles in relation to: providing support, monitoring and challenge around educational experience and performance; church, community and stakeholder engagement and supporting alignment with Trust strategy, approach, ethos and values. The AGC Members meet regularly, visit the school when possible and during special events.  As a team, we are able to support the school to function well and strive to provide a high standard of education.

As a Church of England Academy (part of the Diocese of Coventry Multi-Academy Trust) all the AGC Members support the school in being a place of inclusive welcome and education for everyone.

Academy Governance Committee (AGC) Members

Head Teacher – Mrs Jane Cook

AGC Chair – Mrs Jeanette Knowles

Address: c/o The Diocese of Coventry Multi Academy Trust, St James CofE Academy, Barbridge Road, Bulkington, CV12 9PF

The Academy Governance Committee is made up of the following people:

Parent AGC Members

Stephen Rea

Vacancy x 1

Foundation AGC Members

Charles Higgins (Ex-officio) (Vice Chair)

Jeanette Knowles

Vacancy x 2

Community AGC Members 

Vacancy x 1

Staff AGC Members

Jane Cook (Headteacher)

Suzanne Hughes

School Governance Professional

Belinda Lowe

 
AGC Meeting Dates 2025-26
       
 
                 
JAM Day:  Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday Wednesday  
Date: 01.10.25 10.12.25 28.01.26 10.03.26 13.05.26 24.06.26  
Time 2.00pm - 4.00pm 4.00pm - 6.00pm 4.00pm - 6.00pm 4.00pm - 6.00pm 4.00pm - 6.00pm 4.00pm - 6.00pm  
                 
     

St James AGC Membership and Attendance

 
                   
St James CofE AGC Membership 2025-26
                   
Category Title First Name Last Name Position Start Date Re-appt End Date Appointed By Attendance 2024/25
Community   vacancy              
Community   vacancy              
Foundation Rev'd Charles Higgins Ex-officio/Vice Chair  17.01.19   ex-officio DBE 2/4
Foundation Mrs Jeanette Knowles Chair 06.05.2025   05.05.2029 DBE 2/2
Foundation   vacancy              
Foundation   vacancy              
Parent Mr Steve Rea   20.09.2022   19.09.2026 Elected by Parents 3/4
Parent   vacancy              
Staff Mrs Jane Cook ex-officio Head Teacher 01.01.18   ex-officio N/a Ex-offcio 4/4
Staff Miss Suzanne Hughes   28.11.2023   27.11.2027 Elected by Staff 4/4
Clerk   Belinda  Lowe   02.09.2024       N/a
                   
AGC Members who have resigned in the last 12 months               Appointed By Attendance 2024/25
Community Mr Philip Evans   28.03.22   27.03.26 Trust Board 4/4

St James CofE Academy AGC and SLT Register of Interests

 
St James CofE Academy
Register of Interests 2025-26
DATE OF DECLARATION NAME Date of Appointment Term of Office Appointed By BUSINESS / PECUNIARY INTERESTS START & (CESSATION) DATE OF INTEREST EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS START & (CESSATION) DATE OF INTEREST RELATIONSHIPS
01.10.25 Jane Cook 01.01.18 N/a Exofficio Nil Return
01.10.25 Charles Higgins 17.01.19 N/a Exofficio Parochial Church Council of St James Bulkington 28.11.2018;      
  Bulkington Charities 28.11.2018
01.10.25 Suzanne Hughes 28.11.2023 1 Elected by Staff Nil Return
12.11.2025 Steve Rea 20.09.2022 1 Elected by Parents Nil Return
01.10.25 Jeanette Knowles 06.05.2025 1 DBE Nil Return
24.09.25 Sarah Moore N/a - ABP Curlywirl ltd t/a Windseal Double Glazing (family owned business) 01/04/1992 ABP - St James CofE Academy;Queens CofE Academy    
AGC Members who have left in the last 12 months
DATE OF DECLARATION NAME Date of Appointment Term of Office Appointed By BUSINESS / PECUNIARY INTERESTS START & (CESSATION) DATE OF INTEREST EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS START & (CESSATION) DATE OF INTEREST RELATIONSHIPS
01.10.25 Philip Evans 28.03.22 1 - ceased 27.03.26 Trust Board Nil Return