Welcome to our Trustee’s section

All academies in England have a Board of Trustees which is responsible for overseeing many of the strategic decisions of the school. A key role is to act as a 'critical friend': to support, to challenge, to ask questions, and ultimately, to represent the school community.

The Board of Trustees works in close partnership with the Executive Headteacher, staff and the local authority. Whilst the Executive Headteacher is, of course, responsible for the day to day running of the school, the trustees are involved with such things as staffing, curriculum, school buildings and finance. It ensures the school functions well and maintains the proper range of academic and social objectives. 

Who are we?

The Board of Trustees now consists of:

• The Executive Headteacher
• One elected staff trustee
• Five foundation trustees
• One parent trustee

The standard term of office for a trustee is four years. The chair and vice-chair are elected annually at the first meeting of the academic year.

The Chair of Trustees is Mr P McCay, who can be contacted via the school office or directly via email at admin@holyfamilyschool.co.uk

The Board of Trustees meets at least three times each year, along with committee meetings during the year.

Committees include:

• Finance, Risk & Audit Committee - Chair, Mr J O'Connor
• All other aspects of school life which require governance are arranged through the chair. 

The Board of Trustees for academic year 2025/2026 consist of:

Miss Annette Dews: Foundation Trustee

• Term of office: 04/12/2021 to 05/12/2025
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for: 
• Register of interests: Governor at 2 other establishments

Mr  Joseph O'Connor: Foundation Trustee- Vice Chair

• Term of office: 04/05/2022 to 03/05/2026
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for: Pupil Premium, SEND, RSHE
• Register of interests: Employed at a school in Lincolnshire

Mrs Elizabeth Cotterill: Foundation Trustee

• Term of office: 09/12/2024 to 08/12/2026
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for: Safeguarding, Premises, H&S, Attendance
• Register of interests: Governor at 2 other establishments, Works for the LA within the Adults & Community department

Mrs Clair McFadden: Staff Trustee

• Term of office: 01/09/2025 to 31/08/2029
• Elected member
• Sits on all committees
• Register of interests: none

Mrs Bernadette Nesbit: Executive Headteacher & Accounting Officer

• Since 01/01/2011, a member of the Board of Trustees by virtue of position in school
• Sits on all committees
• Register of interests: Sits on the board of 2 other Governing Bodies, Co-opted Member for Doncaster Council Chambers

Mr Paul McCay: Foundation Trustee - Chair

• Term of office: 12/07/2023 to 11/07/2027
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for: Section 48 - RE, Finance, HR, SCR
• Register of interests: Sits on the board of 2 other Governing Bodies

Ms Jemma Neal: Foundation Trustee

• Term of office: 29/01/2025 to 28/01/2029
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for: SEND, Mental Health
• Register of interests: None

Mr Alexander Dawson: Foundation Trustee

• Term of office: 03/12/2025 to 02/12/2029
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for: 
• Register of interests: None

Miss Lisa Aiken: Parent Trustee

• Term of office: 01/12/2025 to 30/11/2029
• Elected Member
• Has responsibility for: 
• Register of interests: None

Meeting Attendance 2025-2026

General Meetings

Date	BN	CM	AD	PM	JO	EC	JN	AD	LA	CoOp
15/10/2025	A	A	A	A	A	A	A
11/03/2026
08/07/2026

Finance, Risk & Audit Meetings

Date	BN	CM	AD	PM	JO	EC	JN	AD	LA	CoOp
22/10/2025	A	A	X	A	A	A
03/12/2025	A	A	A	A	A	A
28/01/2026
18/03/2026
13/05/2026
01/07/2026

The Body of Trustees for academic year 2024/2025 consist of:

Miss Annette Dews: Foundation Trustee - Chair

• Term of office: 04/12/2021 to 05/12/2025
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for: Section 48 - RE, Finance, SCR & HR, Performance Management, Attendance
• Register of interests: Governor at 2 other establishments

Mr  Joseph O'Connor: Foundation Trustee - Vice Chair

• Term of office: 04/05/2022 - 03/05/2026
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for: Pupil Premium, SEND, Mental Health
• Register of interests: Employed at a school in Lincolnshire

Mrs Elizabeth Cotterill: Foundation Trustee

• Term of office: 09/12/2024 - 08/12/2028
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for: Safeguarding, Premises
• Register of interests: Governor at 2 other establishments, Works for the LA within the Adults & Community department

Mrs Clair McFadden: Staff Trustee

• Term of office: 01/09/2025 to 31/08/2029
• Elected member
• Sits on all committees
• Register of interests: none

Mrs Bernadette Nesbit: Executive Headteacher & Accounting Officer

• Since 01/01/2011, a member of the governing body by virtue of position in school
• Sits on all committees
• Register of interests: Sits on the board of 2 other Governing Bodies, Co-opted Member for Doncaster Council Chambers

Ms Rebecca Channing: Parent Trustee

• Term of office: 20/01/2022 to 10/07/2024
• Appointed by the parents
• Has responsibility for: SEND
• Register of interests: none

Mr Paul McCay: Foundation Trustee

• Term of office: 12/07/2023 - 11/07/2027
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for: 
• Register of interests: Sits on the board of 2 other Governing Bodies

Ms Jemma Neal: Foundation Trustee

• Term of office: 29/01/2025 - 28/01/2029
• Appointed by the Bishop of Hallam
• Has responsibility for:
• Register of interests: 

Meeting Attendance

 

The Annual Accounts for the previous two years are available on request: email admin@holyfamilyschool.co.uk