Each school in DNDLT has a local governance committee called the Academy Council (AC). The membership of the AC is made up of at least 11 councillors who are either ex-officio, appointed, co-opted or elected to the Academy Council. All councillors bring specific skills and knowledge to the role.
The AC meets half-termly and is responsible for the following functions:
- Strategic planning of the school;
- Monitoring the progress of the school’s priorities for improvement identified in the School Improvement Plan;
- Holding the school’s senior leaders to account for the outcomes and progress of pupils;
- Monitoring the school’s budget.
All Academy Councillors declare any interests at the beginning of the school year and this is recorded and kept on file.
Our Academy Councillors
| Name | Term of Office | Representing | Responsibilities | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dr. Sarah Haynes, Chair As a Church of England School, Stanhope Barrington has three Foundation Governors who are nominated by the Church. I became a Foundation Governor of Stanhope Barrington School about 19 years ago, when my daughter was in nursery and I was pregnant with my son. Although they’ve both left, I’ve stayed on! I have been the Stanhope Church secretary throughout, and one of my aims has always been to encourage good links with the Church. It has been good to see this build and develop, together with the warm ‘family’ atmosphere fostered within school, a living embodiment of ‘love thy neighbour’. | 11.02.17-10.02.25 | Foundation | Health & Safety; CPD; Safeguarding & Child Protection |
 | Ms. Saskia Callaars-De Gruyter, Vice Chair I have recently joined the Governing Body as a Parent Governor (April 2018) and I am the Link Governor for Modern Foreign Languages. I am excited and grateful to have received the opportunity to support the school and the children in my community. I have two children at Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School. I love hearing their stories of what they’ve done, made, learned, discovered and enjoyed during their day, and watching them develop friendships at school is fantastic, too. I believe it’s important for a school to have many different people share their time and experience to support it and I’m proud to be part of this. | 21.03.18-20.03.22 | Parent | Numeracy; Modern Foreign Languages |
 | Mrs. Deb Cross, Head Teacher I enjoy working closely with our Academy Council who are incredibly proactive and involved in the day to day life of the school. For our school to thrive and succeed it is essential that all members of our Stanhope Barrington family work together, putting the children at the centre of everything we do. It is fantastic to see Foundation Councillors, Parent Councillors, Staff Councillors and Elected Councillors all working together for the benefit of our school community. Many people bring many diverse and different skills to the AC (Academy Council) and this helps to keep us dynamic and forward thinking. It is incredibly useful to have an objective eye and different perspectives all of which combine to ensure our school is the best it can possibly be. | 20.11.17-19.11.21 | Ex Officio | |
 | Ms. Sarah Ingwersen I have been a Governor since June 2012, first as a Parent Governor and more recently as a Foundation Governor. As a Foundation Governor, I support and develop the Christian ethos of the school. Ensuring the school is a compassionate, supportive and enjoyable place to learn, where every child feels valued and empowered, is my primary focus. I have three children, with one currently attending Stanhope Barrington. My interests include drawing, painting, reading, hiking, swimming and herpetology. I value the opportunity to contribute my time and experience to help make Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School an outstanding place to learn. | 22.11.2019-21.11.2023 | Foundation | Art/Design; Character Development (RE, SMEH, Well-being & RSHE) |
 | Mr. Julian Haynes I am a Co-opted Academy Councillor. I have been a Governor/Academy Councillor at Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School for many years and am involved in the community in a variety of ways. | 26.04.18-27.04.22 | Co-opted | Assessment |
 | Mrs. Sarah Stancliffe My husband and I moved to Stanhope in retirement; I had been a school governor for 15 years in Salisbury and was delighted to be asked to join the Governing body at Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary. I am a Foundation Governor, which means I am appointed by the Diocese of Durham and share responsibility for securing the Christian ethos of the school with other Foundation Governors and the staff. We aim for close links with the local church and a strong Christian ethos without being too ‘churchy’. My Special Needs role means that I attend some class lessons and also staff interviews with parents to make sure that children with Special Needs get the help and support they should to progress and thrive. I am also the Link Governor for Music. My other interests include: cooking, languages, singing and my eight grandchildren. As Governors, our role is to be critical friends to the school; we are blessed with a headteacher and staff who welcome comment and suggestions. | 08.12.17-07.12.21 | Foundation | SEND; Music |
 | Mrs. Andrea Parvin My name is Andrea Parvin and I have been a staff Academy Councillor since September 2020. I have lived in Stanhope all my life and have worked at Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School for many years. I am also a trained Thrive Practitioner. I am very proud to be part of such a vibrant and happy school where the children are always put first. I became an Academy Councillor to become more involved in the life of the school and to represent my colleagues. In my spare time I love to read, enjoy baking and spending time with my husband and two children. | 01.09.20-19.10.24 | Staff | SEND |
 | Mrs. Liz Johns Mrs Liz Johns I recently joined the Governing Body as a Co-opted Governor. I have 3 small children - the eldest of which joined reception in September 2018. I have been very impressed with the education he has received so far and the school as a whole - the staff are always friendly and very approachable and it is clear they strive to ensure the children reach their full potential. Because of this I would like the opportunity to be more involved in the school and to support them to continue to be the outstanding school that they are. I work full-time as a Manager for Durham County Carers Support which is a large charity supporting family Carers. I love spending time with my family and together we enjoy being outdoors, exploring new places and looking after our pets. I am excited to be involved in the future of Stanhope Barrington. | 27.03.19-26.03.23 | Co-opted | PE; Computing |
 | Mrs. Angela Johnson I was born in Darlington, where I grew up with my parents, two sisters and several animals. I moved to Weardale in 2006 to a derelict house, which my husband and I renovated. I have a son who is 8 years old and attends Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School. I enjoy walking the dog, reading, crafts, cooking and helping at the school where I became a Co-opted Governor in March of 2019. I look forward to contributing my skills to continue to make Stanhope Barrington and outstanding place to learn. | 27.03.19-26.03.23 | Co-opted | STEM; EYFS |
 | Mr. John Anderson | 06.07.21-06.07.25 | Parent | Geography; History; GDPR |
| Mrs. Kathleen Norman | 06.07.21-06.07.25 | Co-opted | Literacy | |
| ACADEMY COUNCILLORS WITH TERMS THAT HAVE ENDED IN THE PAST YEAR | ||||
| Mrs. Hannah Stembridge | Resigned | Parent | ||
| Mr. Jonathon Emerson | Resigned | Parent | ||
| Mr. Shaun Myers | Retired | Observer | ||
Record of Academy Councillor Attendance 2021-2022
| Tuesday, 12 October 2021; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 30 November 2021; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 15 February 2022; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 22 March 2022; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 17 May 2022; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 5 July 2022; 5:30pm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs. Sarah Haynes (Chair) | Attended | |||||
| Ms. Saskia Calaars-DeGruyter (Vice-Chair) | Attended | |||||
| Mrs. Deb Cross | Attended | |||||
| Mr. Julian Haynes | Attended | |||||
| Ms. Sarah Ingwersen | Attended | |||||
| Mrs. Sarah Stancliffe | Attended | |||||
| Mrs. Liz Johns | Attended | |||||
| Mrs. Angela Johnson | Attended | |||||
| Mrs. Andrea Parvin | Attended | |||||
| Mr. John Anderson | Attended | |||||
| Mrs. Kathleen Norman | Attended |
Record of Academy Councillor Attendance 2020-2021
| Tuesday, 30 June 2020; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 20 October 2020; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 1 December 2020; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 9 February 2021; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 23 March 2021; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 18 May 2021; 5:30pm | Tuesday, 6 July 2021; 5:30pm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Sarah Haynes (Chair) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) |
| Ms. Saskia Calaars-De Gruyter (Vice Chair) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) |
| Mrs. Deb Cross (Head Teacher) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) |
| Mr. Julian Haynes | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) |
| Ms. Sarah Ingwersen | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) |
| Mrs. Sarah Stancliffe | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) |
| Mrs. Liz Johns | Apologies | Attended (Zoom) | Attended | Apologies | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Apologies |
| Mrs. Angela Johnson | Apologies | Attended (Zoom) | Attended | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) |
| Mrs. Andrea Parvin | N/A | Attended (Zoom) | Attended | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) |
| Mr. John Anderson | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Attended (Zoom) |
| Mrs. Kathleen Norman | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Attended (Zoom) |
| Mrs. Hannah Stembridge | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Apologies | Apologies | Attended (Zoom) | Resigned | N/A |
| Mr. Jonathon Emerson | Attended (Zoom) | Attended (Zoom) | Attended | Resigned | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mr. Shaun Myers (Head Teacher Support) | Attended (Zoom) | Apologies | Apologies | Retired | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mrs. Carol Stidwell | Retired | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Record of Governor Attendance 2019-2020
| 23 September 2019 5 pm- Finance Committee Meeting | 15 October 2019 3:30pm- Curriculum Committee Meeting | 22 November 2019 9:30am - Budget Review Meeting | 26 November 2019 5:30pm- Meeting of the Full Governing Body | 3 February 2020 5pm - Finance Committee Meeting | 9 March 2020 3:30pm-Curriculum Committee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Sarah Haynes (Chair) | Attended | Cancelled | Attended | Apologies | Attended | Attended |
| Mrs Saskia Callaars- DeGruyter | N/A | Cancelled | N/A | Attended | N/A | Attended |
| Mr Shaun Myers (Headteacher) | Apologies | Cancelled | Attended | Attended | Apologies | N/A |
| Mrs Deb Cross (Deputy Headteacher) | Attended | Cancelled | Attended | Attended | Attended | Attended |
| Ms Sarah Ingwersen | N/A | Cancelled | N/A | Attended | N/A | Attended |
| Mr Julian Haynes | Attended | Cancelled | Attended | Attended | Attended | N/A |
| Mr Paul McArdle | Apologies | Cancelled | Apologies | Apologies | Attended | N/A |
| Mrs Sarah Stancliffe | N/A | Cancelled | N/A | Attended | N/A | Attended |
| Mrs Carol Stidwell | N/A | Cancelled | N/A | Apologies | N/A | N/A |
| Mrs Hannah Stembridge | N/A | Cancelled | N/A | Attended | N/A | Apologies |
| Mr Jonathon Emerson | Apologies | Cancelled | Attended | Attended | Attended | N/A |
| Mrs Liz Johns | N/A | Cancelled | N/A | Attended | N/A | N/A |
| Mrs Angela Johnson | Attended | Cancelled | Attended | Attended | Attended | N/A |
Register of Business Interests
Register of Business Interests 2020-2021
Register of Business Interests 2019-2020
Shadow Leadership Team
At the beginning of each Academy Council meeting members of our Pupil Voice Shadow Leadership Team give a presentation to the Full Governing Body on varying topics affecting our school. To view their presentations please visit the Pupil Voice Shadow Leadership Team page.
How to become an Academy Councillor
If you are interested in joining our Academy Council then please contact the clerk to the DNDLT who will give you further information on how to do this. The contact the clerk by emailing: david.walker@durhamdmat.co.uk
Statutory Guidance for the Academy Council
As a member of Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust (DNDLT), Stanhope Barrington C of E Primary School has due regard to the guidance issued by DNDLT in relation to the operation of the Academy Council. The school also has due regard to the statutory guidance from the Department for Education in relation to the publication of information about governance on the school website.
For further information, please view or download the Scheme of Delegation for the school which is the primary governance document for the school’s Academy Council.
