Trustees

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 2026/2027 consist of:

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: Headteacher & Accounting Officer

Term of office: 01/09/2026 a member of the Board of Trustees by virtue of position in school
Sits on all committees
Register of interests: none

Mr J Ascroft: Staff Trustee

Term of office: 01/09/2026 to 31/08/2030
Appointed by the staff
Has responsibility for:
Register of interests: None

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 Annette Dews: Community Trustee - Acting Vice-Chair

Term of office: 23/03/2026 to 22/03/2030
Appointed by the Board of Trustees
Has responsibility for:
Register of interests: Governor at 2 other establishments

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	CM	PM	EC	ED	AD	JN	LA	JA	CoOp
30/09/2026
03/03/2027
14/07/2027

Finance, Risk & Audit Meetings

Date	CM	PM	EC	ED	AD	JN	LA	JA	CoOp
30/09/2026
20/01/2027
17/03/2027
30/06/2027

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