Emmanuel Schools Foundation (“the Trust”) is legally accountable for every school in the Trust. The CEO is accountable to the Trust for the performance and delivery of the whole organisation. The CEO is advised by the Executive Team who are responsible for finances and resources, and the learning and academic progress of all students.
A School Improvement Board (SIB) has been constituted as determined by Emmanuel Schools Foundation. The SIB will act as committee of the Foundation. The purpose of the SIB is to provide support and challenge to the school on behalf of the Foundation. It will achieve this through providing strategic direction at a local level, promoting high standards and educational achievement. The SIB will work in partnership with the Principal, the Senior Leadership Team, and executive team from the Foundation. The SIB’s terms of reference can be located here.
The processes of decision-making and lines of delegated accountability are set out in the Scheme of Delegation which can be found here.
Any enquiries, issues or concerns relating to Grace College should be raised with the Principal or her staff in the first instance; however parents are free to write to the Chair of the SIB, if they so wish. If parents would like to contact any of the Governors, please telephone Reception or email the Academy or write to Miss C Taylor, Company Secretary, Trinity House, Sixth Avenue, Blyth, NE24 2SY.
Governance functions are delegated to the SIB by the Foundation Board. The details of the delegation are contained within a scheme of delegation which can be found in the Governance section of the Foundation website.
Governors’ attendance at SIB meetings can be located here.
The Annual Stakeholder Report of the Local Governing Board 2024 – 25 can be found here.
The Annual Stakeholder Report of the Local Governing Board 2025 – 26 can be found here.
A list of the SIB governors is show below:-
| NAME OF GOVERNOR | DATE OF APPOINTMENT | RESPONSIBILITY |
| Dr Thomas Smyth | 22/06/2023 | Chair – Behaviour & Attitudes including attendance |
| Natasha Tyrwhitt-Drake | 16/07/2021 | SEND, LAC and PP, Quality of Education & Curriculum |
| Dr Jessica Cooper | 22/06/2023 | SEND, LAC and Pupil Premium |
| Mrs Aileen Conlon | 01/04/2019 | Safeguarding and CP, Leadership and Management |
| Declarations of Interests can be found here. |
| Name | Role |
| Mrs Rachael Hooker | Principal |
| Professor Mark Pike | CEO |
| Mr Darren Warburton | Finance Director |
| Miss Christine Taylor | Company Secretary Data Protection Officer |
Emmanuel Schools Foundation
The structure of Emmanuel Schools Foundation can be found in the Governance section of the ESF website and the memorandum and articles of association of ESF can be found here.
The Board of Directors can be found on the ESF website.
The ESF Funding Agreement can be found here.
Grace College (formally Joseph Swans Academy’s) novated Funding Agreement can be found here.
The current members of Emmanuel Schools Foundation can be found here.
On our Trust Website, you can find comprehensive information about our ESF members and trustees, including their profiles and roles within the organisation. This page also features a detailed register of business and financial interests, ensuring transparency and accountability in all our operations. Explore the ESF site to learn more about the people behind our governance and their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and stewardship.
Join us
If you are interested in becoming a governor, please complete the form below and send it back to us.