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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