Becoming a Governor

If you are interested in being a governor at St Wulstan's we have made this short presentation giving a little more information about this interesting role.

 Become a Foundation Governor at St Wulstan’s Catholic Primary School

Are you looking for a meaningful way to live out your faith and make a lasting difference to children, families, and the Catholic community?
St Wulstan’s Catholic Primary School is seeking Foundation Governors to join our dedicated and supportive Governing Board.

We are particularly interested in individuals with experience in finance, health and safety, or estates management, to help strengthen our expertise in these key areas.

A Thriving Catholic School within a Growing Trust

St Wulstan’s is proud to be part of the newly formed St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi Academy Trust – a family of 64 Catholic schools across the Midlands.
This exciting development brings together schools that share a strong Catholic ethos and a commitment to excellence in education. As part of this large and growing Trust, our governors benefit from extensive training, guidance, and collaboration opportunities, with access to the expertise and support of a highly experienced central team.

Joining St Wulstan’s at this time offers the chance to play an active part in shaping the future of Catholic education both locally and across the region.

The Role of the Governing Board

The school’s Governing Board provides confident and strategic leadership, ensuring accountability, oversight, and assurance across the school’s educational and financial performance.
Our governors are passionate about education and committed to continuous school improvement, ensuring that every child receives the best possible opportunities and outcomes.

The Role of a Foundation Governor

Foundation Governors play a unique and vital role in Catholic schools. Appointed by the Archbishop of Birmingham, they form the majority on the Governing Board and are specifically tasked with:

• Preserving and developing the Catholic ethos and mission of the school.
• Representing the Bishop’s education policy in areas such as worship and religious education.
• Working strategically with the Headteachers/Principals and leadership team to hold the school to account for its performance.
• Overseeing financial management and ensuring resources are used wisely.
• Contributing to decisions on admissions, staffing, and leadership recruitment.

Foundation Governors serve as ambassadors for the Church, supporting the Headteachers, staff, and children, while maintaining strong links between the school, parish, and wider community.

Requirements for being a Foundation Governor

To be appointed as a Foundation Governor, you must:

• Be a practising Catholic over the age of 18.
• Be willing to support and uphold the Catholic character and vision of the school.
• Complete safeguarding and DBS checks as part of the appointment process.

There is no single profile of an ideal Foundation Governor – individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. What matters most is a commitment to the Church’s mission in education and a desire to serve the community.

Time Commitment

Typically, Foundation Governors spend around 10–12 hours per month on their duties. This includes attending three full governing board meetings each year, serving on at least one committee (such as finance, curriculum, or site management), and visiting school periodically to see its work in action.
Full induction, training, and ongoing support are provided by both the St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi Academy Trust and the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Become a Parent Governor at St Wulstans

As a parent governor, you’ll work with the board to make sure it effectively carries out the duties referred to above. You’ll also play a vital role in bringing a parental perspective to the governing board, but you’re not there to speak ‘on behalf’ of the parent body.

 To be a parent governor you should have:

• A strong commitment to the role and to improving outcomes for children
• Good inter-personal skills, curiosity, and a willingness to learn and develop new skills
• The specific skills required to make sure the governing board delivers effective governance
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Interested and would like to know more?

If you would like to express your interest or learn more about becoming a Governor at St Wulstan’s, please contact our co-headteachers

Mr B Grove  bgrove.wul@ctkcc.co.uk

Mrs E Walker ewhalley.wul@ctkcc.co.uk

Or phone the school on (01782) 973722

You can also find more information and application details on the Archdiocese of Birmingham website:
https://www.bdes.org.uk/governance.html

“Foundation Governors play an essential role in helping Catholic schools flourish — ensuring that children grow in wisdom, faith, and love.”
Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop of Liverpool, Chair of the Catholic Education Service