Summary of governance arrangements
The GDST Academy Trust has overall responsibility for the academy which is exercised through the Academy Trust Board (“ATB”) whose members are the Governors of the academy.
The ATB sets the vision and strategic direction, approves budgets, annual accounts and key policies and reviews academic performance. The Girls' Day School Trust (as principal sponsors) appoints the majority of the trustees of the ATB, which is chaired by a Girls Day School Trust Council Member. Other trustees include a representative of the HSBC Education Programme (our co-sponsors of The Belvedere Academy) and the two Chairmen of the GDST Academy Trust local governing bodies (from Birkenhead High School Academy and The Belvedere Academy).
The academy also has a Local Governing Body (“LGB”) which is accountable to the ATB. The role of the LGB includes monitoring the academy’s financial and academic performance, approving policies which relate solely to the academy, and promoting the academy and fostering links with the local community.
The Principal is appointed by the ATB and is accountable to the ATB.
The Principal has overall executive responsibility for the academy, including specifically for the following activities which have been formally delegated to the Principal by the ATB:
- the development of the academy’s strategic Development Plan and its implementation;
- the internal organisation, management and control of the academy;
- the implementation of all policies approved by the ATB and LGB;
- the direction of the teaching and curriculum.
GDST Academy Trust Board
Enquiries:
Chairman of ATB - C/O Girls Day School Trust, 10 Bressenden Place, Westminster, London, SW1E 5DH
Chairman:
Dr H. A. Ewing
Members:
- Mrs C. Giovannoni (Chief Executive Officer Girls Day School Trust)
- Mr J. Davis (Chief Financial Officer Girls Day School Trust)
- Professor J. Simons
- Mr G. Stewart (External Member)
- Mr K. O'Sullivan (Chair of Belvedere Academy LGB)
- Ms K. Anstey (Chair of Birkenhead High School Academy LGB)
- Mrs R. Radway (External Member)
Clerk:
Ms L. Colegate (Governance Manager Girls Day School Trust)
Local Governing Body
Enquiries:
Chair of LGB - C/O The Belvedere Academy, 17 Belvidere Road, Liverpool, L8 3TF
Chairman:
Mr K. O'Sullivan
Appointed by: Appointed by Governing Body/board
From: 01/02/2018
First term
Members:
- Mrs S. Adams, Vice Chair (Parent)
Appointed by: Elected by Parents
From: 01/04/2019
First term - Mrs J. Ryan (Support Staff)
Appointed by: Elected by school staff
From: 26/09/2022
First term - Mrs Catherine Hughson (Teaching Staff)
Appointed by: Elected by school staff
From: 14/11/2022
First term
- Mr J. Murphy (External Member)
Appointed by: Appointed by GB/board
From: 01/01/2015
Second term - Mr Z Chaudhry (External Member)
Appointed by: Appointed by GB/board
From: 06/02/2020
First term - Ms H Farrell (External Member)
Appointed by: Appointed by GB/board
From: 06/02/2020
First term - Mrs J. Taylor (Principal)
Appointed by: Any additional members appointed by the members of the academy trust
From: 01/09/2019
First term - Dr A Fairclough (External Member)
Appointed by: Appointed by GB/board
From: 03/09/2021
First term - Ms J Galvin (External Member)
Appointed by: Appointed by GB/board
From: 03/09/2021
First term - Miss K Bevan (External Member)
Appointed by: Appointed by GB/board
From: 03/09/2021
First term - Mrs D Silcock (External Member)
Appointed by: Appointed by GB/board
From: 23/09/2021
First term - Mrs G Fennell (Parent Governor)
Appointed by: Parents
From: 06/01/2022
First term
Clerk:
Mrs N. Smith (Principal's PA, The Belvedere Academy)