Revd Dr Pete Gaskell
Chair of Governors
Governors
If you wish to contact any of the governors then please email the Bursar, who is also Clerk to the Governors, on nmcdonald@stdavidscollege.co.uk
St David's College Trust Charitable Aims
The Aim of the Trust is the development of the whole person through a general education in the best and wisest sense, with a wide choice of interest and activity and an appreciation of moral and spiritual values. The presentation of the Evangelical* Christian faith showing the love of Christ both by example and teaching is to be an essential part of the life of any School carried on by the Trust’ (*this often misunderstood word is simply a summary word for the beliefs set out in the religious principles below.)
Trust Documents
The following is taken from the college’s Trust Documents:
‘Notwithstanding the school is open to people of all faiths and none, the Religious Principles at any school carried on by the Trust shall be in accordance with the basic tenets of the Christian faith as set forth below:
Religious Principles
- The divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures as originally given which are therefore fully trustworthy and supreme authoritative in all matters of faith and conduct.
- The unity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.
- God’s condemnation of mankind because of mankind’s universal sinfulness and guilt.
- Redemption from the condemnation and power of sin only through the sacrificial death (as our representative and substitute) of the Lord Jesus Christ the incarnate Son of God.
- The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
- The work of God’s Holy Spirit granting the sinner repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit in the believer.
- The expectation of the personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Functions and Roles of the Governing Body
The role of Governors is strategic, not operational and can be summarised as follows:
- Ensuring the school operates according to its constitution;
- Setting the school's vision and aims
- Establishing and maintaining the school’s ethos
- Setting the school’s plans and policies
- Monitoring and evaluating school performance
- Promoting self-evaluation to sustain school improvement
- Appointing the Head, Chaplain, and Bursar
The Governing Body does not control or manage the day-to-day running of the school. That is the role of the Headmaster and his Senior Leadership Team. For example, decisions such as whether to admit pupils to be educated at St David’s, discipline, and the appointment of staff are vested exclusively in the Headmaster, not the Governing Body. The Governing Body supports the Headmaster, monitor his performance, and ensures that the Headmaster is implementing agreed policies and strategies.
Governing Body Meetings
The Main Board meetings happen once a term. In addition to this there are also three Sub-Committees that also meet termly, normally 2-3 weeks before the Main Board:
- Education (including pastoral, safeguarding, and chaplaincy)
- Financial
- Estates
Other meetings or conference calls are arranged as required.
The Constitution of the Governing Body
St David’s College is a registered charity and the members of the Board of Governors are all Trustees. They have a legal duty to act in accordance with well-defined rules and principles that reflect their status as Trustees. They are also Members and Directors of St David’s College Trust (Llandudno) Limited (a registered company) however, in both roles, they are still commonly referred to as Governors.
View our legal constitution here
All Governors are volunteers who receive no remuneration for serving on the Board and its committees.
Selection of Governors
The Governing Body seeks to ensure that at all times there is an appropriate spread of skills and expertise represented on the Board in order to properly discharge its duties. All governors are DBS checked, and once appointed undertake a formal induction and training programme to ensure they are equipped so St David’s benefits from their contribution
