Meet our Directors and CEO

Helen Mills

Foundation Director and Chair of the Trust Board

Helen found the role as a Governor a rewarding experience working with a strong dedicated school staff to support the all-round education for children in the school community, she was a member of the St Robert's Church children's liturgy group for 14 years where she was able to get to know many children and their families.

Helen is also a Director and manager of an Early Year's Preschool setting in North Yorkshire where she is also the Safeguarding Lead and Senco.

John Barnes

Foundation Director

John is originally from Middleton, Lancashire, where he attended Cardinal Langley Grammar School, before moving to Horsforth to become a student at Trinity and All Saints College. John’s family have grown up in Horsforth, and both his children attended St Mary’s Horsforth and St. Mary’s Menston. His wife taught at St Mary’s Horsforth for 20 years.

John was a governor at St Mary’s Horsforth from 1999 to 2008, then a governor at St Mary’s Menston from 2008 to 2019 and he is now a governor at Notre Dame 6th Form College.

John has worked for HMRC before moving into accountancy as a specialist tax consultant. Although retired from accountancy, John now has a consultancy business which continues to assist former clients with their tax advice.

John is an active member of the church of St Mary’s Horsforth, where he is a Eucharistic Minister and also a member of the Finance Committee of the Parish of Our Lady of Kirkstall. He is also a Trustee of the Peter Trust, which provides financial support to schools and hospitals in East Timor. John is also Treasurer of Horsforth Churches Together.

John is the Chair of the Resources Committee.

Eddie Diamond

Foundation Director

Eddie has been a foundation governor of St Joseph's Otley for the last 7 years and a foundation Director of the Trust for 6 years, being the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. Eddie’s background and experience is in finance, audit and governance. Eddie has three children at schools within the trust.

Eddie is the Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee.

Sarah Dumont

Foundation Director

Sarah has worked in education for over 20 years both in the UK and internationally and is currently Deputy Principal at Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College.

She lives in Otley, where both her children attended St. Joseph's Primary School and then St. Mary's Menston High School.

She is passionate about education being a method to raise aspirations for young people. She enjoys reading and spending time with her dog.

Sarah is the Lead Director for Safeguarding.

Paul Jackson

Foundation Director and Vice-Chair of the Trust Board

Paul was born in east London and educated at St Bonaventure’s Comprehensive School in West Ham, before going on to study Natural Sciences at Pembroke College, Cambridge. Paul then took a PGCE at the North East London Polytechnic leading to a 37 year teaching career in five different Catholic comprehensive schools with a wide range of contexts in east London, Hertfordshire and North Yorkshire. He was a headteacher for over twenty years in his last two schools, ending his career as head at St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate from 2001 until his retirement in 2014.

Paul has been a member of St Mary's parish since moving to Knaresborough from London in 2001 and has been a Eucharistic Minister since 2003. He was appointed to the Academy Council of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in September 2015 and elected to the role of chair in September 2016. He was appointed as Trust Director in September 2022 and is also a member of the Trust Audit and Risk Committee.

Paul is married to Marie with two grown up children and three grandchildren, all of whom are or will be attending their local Catholic schools. He has a lifelong commitment to Catholic education, which he is happy to sustain in his role as Director.

Kerry Kurczij

Foundation Director

Kerry Kurczij grew up in York, attended Newcastle University where she graduated with a first class honours degree in Linguistics and then returned to York to complete her PGCE in English.

She has taught at the Grammar School at Leeds for twenty years where she has held various positions of responsibility including Head of Debating and Public Speaking, Head of Department, T&L lead and now Director of Faculty (English and Humanities). She leads staff training and development, speaks at local and national teaching conferences, and is co-authoring her first academic publication. Her heart will always remain, however, in the classroom with the young people she is inspired by and learns from daily.

Kerry lives in Harrogate with her husband, Gary, also an educator, with their two children who both attend local Catholic schools, St Robert’s and SJF.

Bob Lavery

Foundation Director

Bob was born in a small mining village in the East Durham coalfield, and worked in the Chemical industry for 26 years before taking up is current role as Procurement Manager at the University of Leeds. His professional skillsets are in Procurement and Finance, with experiences including Buildings, and Health & Safety,

All of his children attended St Joseph’s Pudsey and where he became a parent Governor, serving for a total of six years in office at St Joseph’s with special responsibilities for Buildings, Health & Safety.

Bob then became a Governor at St Mary’s Menston when his children were all going through the School and a vacancy arose in 1998, starting as a parent governor, then becoming a foundation governor. In the course of these 20 years, Bob has held office within the Governing Body as Chair of the Buildings subcommittee, and vice-Chair of Governors before becoming Chair of Governors for 12 years from 2005 until 2017.

In his role as Chair at St Mary’s Menston, Bob played a part in setting up the Bishop Wheeler Catholic Multi-Academy Trust being a Trust Director from the outset. Bob is also a member of the Trust Resources Committee.

Duncan Martin

Foundation Director

Duncan Martin is an experienced education professional with over 30 years of expertise in teacher training. Since 1993, he has worked extensively in teacher education at Liverpool John Moores University and Leeds Trinity University, specializing in primary and secondary education across various subjects including Physics, Environmental Education, Geography, and Outdoor Education.

At Leeds Trinity University, Duncan held several significant leadership roles. From March 2017 to February 2019, he was responsible for Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement across the suite of Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes in the Institute of Childhood and Education, including Initial Teacher Training, overseeing primary and secondary provisions. He managed inspections, curriculum developments, and staffing reviews, and coordinated postgraduate training for mental health and special educational needs.

In February 2019, Duncan became Head of Teacher Education, leading curriculum development to meet evolving educational frameworks like the CCF and Early Career Framework. Since June 2022, he has served as permanent Deputy Dean of the Institute for Childhood and Education, providing strategic oversight of Initial Teacher Training.

A key highlight of his career came in May 2023 when he led a successful ITT inspection, resulting in a "Good" rating with evidence of exceptional practice. Duncan continues to support national and regional teacher supply, working closely with Multi-Academy Trusts and educational partnerships to develop high-quality teacher training programs.

He has recently led the development and approval of programmes for Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies such as the Institute of Biomedical Science, Social Work England and the British Psychological Society and is a practising Ofsted Inspector.

Sarah Martin

Foundation Director

Sarah Martin has lived in Yorkshire for the past 30 years originally moving to Yorkshire for University. Sarah has worked in Law for almost 20 years, specialising in Personal Injury Litigation, but is currently taking a career break.

Sarah has also just applied for a Market Licence with the Local Authority, as she is organising and running a monthly farmers market in her community.

Sarah has been a Governor and Chair of St Walburga's Catholic Primary School for the past 8 years.

In her spare time Sarah volunteers at a charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers, as well as enjoying being out in the fresh air walking the dog!

Joe McDonnell

Foundation Director

Mgr Andrew Summersgill

Foundation Director

Parish Priest : Wetherby

Andrew was born in Bradford and attended Catholic schools: St Clare’s, St George and Cardinal Hinsley VI Form. He studied for the priesthood at the English College in Rome and was ordained priest in St Clare’s, Bradford in 1986. After returning to Rome to complete studies in Canon Law he was appointed in 1988 as one of the assistant priests in St Theresa’s Crossgates, Leeds. In September 1990 he became secretary to Bishop David Konstant. During his period as Bishop’s Secretary he also served for a time as Judicial Vicar and Chancellor of the Diocese. In March 2001 he became General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and as such was a member of the Management Committee of the Catholic Education Service and a Trustee of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. From 2008 to 2015 he was a member of the Nominations Committee of the Bible Society. In November 2009 he was appointed as the National Organiser for the Visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the UK, which took place in September 2010.

In January 2011, Bishop Arthur Roche appointed Andrew as Parish Priest of St Stephen’s Skipton. The Parish was modified to include parts of the parish of Broughton in 2012. In 2013 he became a Director of the Diocese of Leeds Trustee and sits on the Finance Committee of the Diocesan Trustee. When Bishop Marcus Stock re-constituted the Diocesan Council of Priests in October 2015, Andrew was elected as Chair.

Andrew is also a member of the Trust Audit and Risk Committee.

Shaun Vickers

Foundation Director

Meet Our CEO

Darren Beardsley

Chief Executive Officer and Accounting Officer

Darren is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust and has worked in Catholic Schools for twenty-five years, as a teacher, subject leader, Deputy Headteacher and Headteacher. During his ten years as a Headteacher, Darren was accredited as a National Leader of Education, providing support to a wide range of schools, both within and beyond the Diocese. This experience has enabled him to work with and learn from a broad spectrum of professionals and to understand how effective collaboration between staff can improve the quality of education for all pupils and have a transformational impact on their future success and fulfilment.

Darren became Interim CEO of BWCAT in March 2019, alongside his role as Headteacher of St Mary’s Menston. He commenced the full-time CEO role in September 2021, leading the Trust, during the next stage of our development.

Darren is married to a Catholic Headteacher and they have two children.

How Directors are Appointed

The Trust Board is currently made up of:

A minimum of 10 foundation directors

All directors serve for a term of four years.

Darren Beardsley, CEO of the Trust is ‘in attendance’.

Foundation Director Vacancy

A vacancy exists for a Foundation Director for The Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust

Trust & Academy Vacancies (Work With Us menu tab)

Director Attendance 2023–24

director attendance 2023 24.pdf

Details of all the Directors

John Barnes

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director
End of Term of office: 16/04/2027
Link Director: Holy Name Cookridge and Sacred Heart Ilkley
Business Interests: Financial consultancy business
Governance Interests:
- Son is a Governor at St Mary’s Horsforth.
- A Governor at Notre Dame 6th Form College.
- A Trustee of the Peter Trust
- Treasurer of Horsforth Churches Together.
- Member of the Finance Committee of the Parish of Our Lady of Kirsktall
Relationship to members of Trust staff: None

Eddie Diamond

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director, Chair of Audit and Risk committee
End of Term of office: 28/02/2025
Link Director: St Joseph’s Otley
Business Interests: None
Governance Interests: None
Relationship to members of Trust staff: None

Sarah Dumont

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director and Lead Safeguarding Director
End of Term of office: 25/09/2026
Link Director: Ss Peter and Paul Yeadon and St. Mary’s Horsforth
Business Interests: None
Governance Interests: None
Relationship to members of Trust staff: None

Paul Jackson

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director and Vice-Chair of the Trust Board
End of Term of office: 31/08/2026
Link Director: St Mary’s Knaresborough
Business Interests: None
Governance Interests: None
Relationship to members of Trust staff: None

Kerry Kurczij

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director
End of Term of office: 31/08/2027
Link Director: St Joseph’s Harrogate
Business Interests: None
Governance Interests:
Relationship to members of Trust staff: None
Personal or close family relationship: Her two children attend St John Fisher Catholic High School

Bab Lavery

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director
End of Term of office: 24/03/2025
Link Director: St Joseph’s Tadcaster
Business Interests: University of Leeds, Purchasing Manager
Governance Interests: Foundation Governor at St Aelred's Catholic Primary School in York
Relationship to members of Trust staff: None

Duncan Martin

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director
End of Term of Office: 14/11/2028
Business Interests: - Employee of Leeds Trinity University (Teacher Education Programmes)

- Ofsted Inspector

Governance Interests:

- Trustee of Aireborough Learning Partnership Trust

- Trustee and University Representative of Formatio

- Director of Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust

Relationship to members of Trust staff: None

Sarah Martin

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director
End of Term of Office: 14/11/2028
Business Interests: Founder and Director of Saltaire Farmers Market
Governance Interests: Director of the Trust Board of Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust (since 01/09/22)
Relationship to members of Trust staff: None

Joe McDonnell

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director
End of Term of Office: 05/12/2028
Business Interests:
Governance Interests:
Relationship to members of Trust staff:

Helen Mills

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director, Chair of Trust Board
End of Term of office: 07/01/2025
Link Director: St Robert’s Harrogate and St John Fisher Harrogate
Business Interests:

- Huby and Weeton Preschool, 1st Oct 2010

- Oak Beck Consulting (Personal/close family), 10th Jun 2021
Governance Interests: None
Relationship to members of Trust staff: None

Andrew Summersgill

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director
End of Term of office: 03/01/2025
Link Director:
Business Interests:

- Parish Priest Wetherby

- Hinsley Properties No 2 Ltd

- Hinsley Properties Ltd

- Hatchend Shire Oak Road Management Company Ltd

- Diocese of Leeds Ltd
Governance Interests:

- Governor at St Joseph's Primary School, Wetherby
- Leeds Diocesan Trust Director

- Camillus Trust Trustee

- Yorkshire Brethren Society Trustee

- Peter Middleton Trust Trustee

Relationship to members of Trust staff: None

Shaun Vickers

Position on the Trust Board: Foundation Director
End of Term of Office: 14/11/2028
Business Interests: None
Governance Interests:

- Governor at Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School (since 01/08/2018)

- Director on the Trust Board of St Gregory The Great Catholic Academy Trust (since 01/08/2022)

Relationship to members of Trust staff: None

Directors who served on the Trust Board in the past 12 months

Diane Gaskin

Position on Trust Board: Foundation Director, Chair of Trust Board
End of term of office: 31/10/24
Link Director: St Mary's Menston and St Stephen's Skipton
Business Interests: Otley Welcomes Community Interest Company, Goodison Ings Associate
Governance Interests: None
Relationship to members of Trusts staff: None