Aquinas Advisory Council

The school is an academy within the Aquinas Church of England Education Trust (Aquinas).

The responsibility for the oversight and management of all aspects of the Aquinas Trust (Aquinas) rests with the Board of Trustees. The day to day management of Aquinas has been delegated by the Trustees to the Chief Executive Officer, Kathy Griffiths. The day to day operation of St Nicholas Church of England Primary School has been delegated to Mrs Sophie Sear (Headteacher).

In order to assist Mrs Sear, the Trustees of Aquinas have established Aquinas Advisory Councils (AAC) for each academy including St Nicholas Church of England Primary School. The members of St Nicholas Church of England Primary School AAC are as follows:

Trust appointed Members:  Mrs Katrina Pauling (Chair), Rev Dr Jonathan Bauer, Father Paul Farthing, Mr Alex Farrugia, Mr James Griffitths, Mrs Anne Scobie  

Parent Members:  Mrs Sarah Collinson, Mr David Sharpe 

Staff Members: Mrs Lynsey Barnes, Mrs Sophie Sear (Headteacher)

Observers: Mr Dustin Carere (Deputy Headteacher)

The purpose of the AAC is to support, advise and be a critical friend to Mrs Sophie Sear (Headteacher) in raising standards of achievement and progress for all learners.

The AAC does have delegated responsibility in relation to aspects of admissions, appointment of staff, complaints, performance management, permanent exclusions, school inspections, staff grievance and disciplinary. The AAC also has the ability to escalate concerns to Mrs Sophie Sear (Headteacher), CEO or Trustees.

The AAC members meet at least 3 times a year and certain members will have specific functions as agreed by the AAC and the Headteacher. Members will also forge links with the school and wide community. Notes of AAC meetings are available on request.

AAC Members’ code of conduct and declaration of business interests support the following principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. 

If you wish to contact the Chair of the AAC (Katrina Pauling) or any of its members, please email: admin@stnicholasceprimary.co.uk and insert in the subject box ‘for the attention of the clerk to the Aquinas Advisory Council'.

AAC Declarations of Business Interests 2023 - 2024 (INSERT LINK)

AAC Attendance at Meetings 2022 - 2023

AAC Protocol and Delegation April 2023