Governance at Kilgraston

Good governance is a critical ingredient in the long term well-being of Kilgraston, and its provision of a really first class experience for all the girls, parents and staff who make up our wider family.

 

The Trust

Kilgraston became an independent Trust in December 1999. While financially and legally independent, the Trust retains close ties to the Society of the Sacred Heart. The Trustees have two primary functions; firstly, to ensure the financial well-being and sustainability of the school; secondly, to ensure that the goals of the Sacred Heart, and Catholic traditions and ethos, remain firmly at the heart of daily life in the school. Each year, the school plan adopts the use of the five goals as a core theme for girls and staff alike. Our school chaplain represents Catholic teaching, while providing a bridge between the school and the local diocese. The Sacred Heart goals and heritage provide a welcoming environment for girls of all faiths.

Our current Trustees are as follows:

Professor James MacLeod (Chairman)
Dom. Edward Courbould O.S.B.
Professor Philip Esler
Mr Thomas Gilbey
Mr Tim Hall
Viscountess Stormont
Mr Thomas Steuart Fothringham
Countess Dundonald

 

The Board of Governors

The oversight day-to-day management of the school has been delegated to a Board of Governors. As well as ensuring the school operates effectively, the governors implement and maintain the educational philosophy of the Society through the development of faith, character, intellect, community and social concerns. The Board works closely with the school management team to ensure that the educational, cultural, sporting and pastoral well-being of the school is well planned and executed. It is with this group that strategic planning will sit and major capital projects initiated. There is also a Finance Committee, whose members include governors, with relevant financial experience and senior members of the school management staff and external appointees. The Chairman, also a Governing Board member, reports back to the Board with recommendations. All Governors have related responsibilities, such as Boarding, Health, Education, Sport etc, where they will work

closely with members of the staff to provide support or reflect back to the Board points for debate and action.

The Board of Governors meets regularly, has direct interaction with all key staff members, and has a rotating agenda of special interest in sessions covering all aspects of school life, and associated staff.

The make up of the Board of Governors reflects broad experience. This ensures every aspect of the school has a reference point in skills represented by the Governors.

The current Governors are as follows:

Mr Tim Hall (Chairman)
Dom. Edward Courbould O.S.B.
Mr Michael Longstaffe
Mrs Lesley Stein
Mr Richard Taylor
Mrs Jane Thomson
Mrs Kirsty Pilcher
Mrs Emma Weir
Miss Lorna Ogilvie
Mr Alexander Garden
Mr Nigel Rickard
Mr John Reynolds
Mr Anthony Cross
Dr Judy Hickson

Current members of the Finance Committee are:

Mr Richard Taylor (Chairman)
Mr Colin Hood
Mr Jamie Skinner
Mr Peter Young
Mr Frank Thompson
Mr Barry Farrell
Mrs Carol Ann Lund
Miss Anne Marie Losty

A dedicated session on Governance and its implications for the Board, staff and school occurs annually. A group of Governors, with the Chairman of the Board, share this session, reporting back to both Governors and Trustees.

Current members of the Governance Committee are:

Mr Alexander Garden (Chairman)
Mr Tim Hall
Miss Lorna Ogilvie
Mr Frank Thompson (Principal)
Mr Barry Farrell (Bursar)