Governance
BackThe Blue School is a state maintained, fully inclusive Church of England School under the Academies Act 2010 (but where Church representatives do not form the majority of Trustees).
Under the provisions of this act The Blue School is a private company limited by guarantee (Companies House Registration: 07706776). Also under the terms of this Act, The Blue School is defined as an exempt charity.
The Blue School is a single academy trust but works with other schools in the Somerset Partnership to share good practice and develop school improvement for all.
Members
In technical terms, the members are the "owners" of The Blue School, the academy, and review its performance on an annual basis. The members have the power to dismiss the Board of Governors, but in reality, as a state maintained academy, any such intervention would not take place without the knowledge and approval of the Government's Department for Education.
- Mr Jonathan Brown as Chair of Trustees
- The Ven Anne Gell as the Archdeacon of Wells
- Mr Peter Hoddinott
- Dr Elizabeth Walker
- Mrs Jennifer Warnock
The Governing Body (Board of Trustees)
The Governing Body oversees The Blue School, providing the school's strategic direction and oversight of its provision:
- Dr Katrina Bradley (Vice Chair)
- Mr Jonathan Brown (Chair)
- Mrs Jacqueline Croft
- Revd Samuel Denyer
- Mr Dave Hiscox
- Mrs Lesley Houlton
- Mr Paul James
- Mr Thomas Ruddle
- Mrs Marisa Taylor
- Mr Mark Woodlock (Headteacher)
Headteacher and Leadership Team
The Governing Body retains responsibility for the strategic direction and performance of the school, accountable to the members. However, the Governing Body delegates the day to day running of the school to the Headteacher who is also expected to lead on the strategic direction of the school. In turn, the Headteacher designates areas of responsibility to members of the Leadership Team.
The Governing Body will directly oversee any appointment to the post of Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher. The Governing Body will participate in the appointment of other members of the Leadership Team as facilitated by the Headteacher.
Wells Blue School
Independent to The Blue School Academy Trust, there is an associated historical charitable trust Wells Blue School (Charity No: 310266), sometimes referred to as the Foundation Trust. This trust originates from the 300 years of the school's history, when government provision for education was limited, and instead local people donated funds and land (often as part of their legacies) to support a "Church of England education" for the children of the parish of the City of Wells.
The Trustees of Wells Blue School are the current Governors of The Blue School at a given time, with an additional "independent" trustee respecting the separation of the two charitable trusts. Legally, The Blue School Ltd and Wells Blue School are two separate legal entities. Wells Blue School has no legal oversight over The Blue School Ltd other than the role of landowner to the campus.
Physical Ownership of the Campus
The freehold of The Blue School's estate resides with the Official Custodian of Charities on behalf of Wells Blue School. Wells Blue School is effectively the landowner and has granted a 125 year lease to The Blue School Ltd, the academy.
Wells Blue School Grant Scheme
The Trustees of Wells Blue School have a limited amount of funds at their disposal every year which can be applied for in the form of bursaries for current and former students. For further information and an application form, please click on the documents below.
Wells Blue School Grant Scheme - InformationWells Blue School Grant Scheme - Application FormWells Blue School - Scheme of Foundation