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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 | |||||||||
| 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 | ||||