Foundation Governors form the majority on a Catholic school's governing body. They have the responsibility of assisting the bishop by sustaining and developing the Catholic ethos and distinctive Catholic nature of the school in which they serve.

 

To this end, Foundation Governors have a specific commission that takes the form of an undertaking to ensure that the school, of which the Foundation Governor is a member of that school’s Governing Body, is at all times conducted in accord with the provisions of the Diocese of Shrewsbury Trust Deed,such determinations made by the Bishop and his Trustees and follows the following principles:

 

•To give clear witness, as individuals and as a team, to the teaching of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and assume responsibility for governing the School according to Canon Law, the Catechism, and the teachings of the Catholic Church in general and Diocesan norms in particular.

 

•To comply with the guidance on admissions, staffing, building maintenance and curriculum as published by the Bishop or his delegate through the Diocesan Schools Commission and convey this to the other members of the governing body.

 

•To seek to appoint Catholic teachers who combine personal conviction and practice of the Faith with the qualities and experience required by particular posts.

 

•To represent the Bishop or his delegate on the Governing Body with particular reference to the Catholic ethos of the school by ensuring that the whole curriculum of the school is rooted in an understanding of life in conformity with the teaching of the Gospel and the Catholic Church.

 

•To achieve this, they must ensure that the general religious and liturgical life of the school conforms to Diocesan guidelines. To take particular care that, with the help and advice of the Diocesan Department of Religious Education, Religious Education has first place in the curriculum, and embraces and enlivens every subject; and that the school follows a truly Catholic programme of religious and moral education approved by the Diocese.

 

•To consider not only the interests of the school in which they serve as Foundation Governor, along with its pupils, staff and parents, but to comply with Diocesan policy and the interests of other Catholic schools and the interests of Catholic education throughout the Diocese.

 

•To be eligible for appointment, enquirers must be practising and committed Catholics. Since holding the office of Foundation Governor is a form of service or ministry in the Church, enquirers have to confirm that they are eligible and willing to serve in accordance with the commission from the Bishop.

 

The appointment of Foundation Governors is entirely at the discretion of the Bishop of Shrewsbury, or his delegate (Director of Schools), for schools within his jurisdiction.