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 monitors 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 GDST 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.

Girls' Day School Trust Academy Trust Board

Enquiries:

Chairman of ATB

C/O GDST, 10 Bressenden Place, Westminster, London, SW1E 5DH 

Chair & GDST Trustee:

Mrs A. Ewing

Members:

• Mrs C. Giovannoni (Chief Executive Officer and Accounting Officer GDST)

• Mr J King (Sponsor Trustee GDST)

• Ms S Weisemann (External Member)

• Ms G Paton (External Member)

• Ms V Walshaw (External Member)

• Ms S Nardone (External Member)

• Mr G. Stewart (External Member)

• M R Radway (External Member)

• Ms J Galvin (Chair of Belvedere Academy LGB)

• Ms K. Anstey (Chair of Birkenhead High School Academy LGB)

Clerk:

Ms L Miles (Governance Manager GDST)

Ms L Colegate (Head of Governance GDST)

Local Governing Body

Enquiries:

Chair of LGB

C/O Birkenhead High School Academy, 86 Devonshire Place, Prenton, CH43 1TY

Chairman:

Mrs K Anstey

Appointed by: ATB

From: 09/11/2017

 

Members:

• Mr P Barlow (External)

          Responsibility: Vice Chair and Legal Governor

          Appointed by: LGB

          From: 05/09/2017

 

• Mrs D Johnson (External)

          Responsibility:  Higher Education Link & SEND Governor (1 of 2)

          Appointed by: LGB

          From: 01/05/2017

 

• Mrs L Kelly (Support Staff)

          Responsibility: Support Staff Governor / Careers Governor / SEND Governor (1 of 2)

          Appointed by: LGB

          From: 05/09/2017

 

• Mrs D Lynch (External)

          Responsibility: Parent Governor

          Appointed by: LGB

          From: 07/06/2022

 

• Mr M O'Gorman (Teaching Staff)

          Responsibility: Staff Governor

          Appointed by: LGB

          From: 1/10/2023

 

• Ms M O'Neill

          Responsibility: External Governor

          Appointed by: ATB

          From: 11/06/2024

 

• Ms K Greaves

          Responsibility: External Governor

          Appointed by: ATB

          From: 11/06/2024

Clerk:

Miss J Campion (Principal's PA, Birkenhead High School Academy)

Further information about the roles and responsibilities of those with governance responsibilities can be found in the scheme of delegation which can be downloaded on the link below.

Updated: 11/11/2024