Members
Deborah Smith
The Manchester Diocesan Board of Education Member
Director of Education for Manchester Diocese from November 2019. Previously worked as Deputy Director of Education for Carlisle Diocese. Over 30 years’ experience in education and has taught across Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 through to Higher Education. As a Senior Lecturer at Liverpool Hope University, delivered on both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Achieved Master of Science degree in Education and is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching. Also an experienced SIAMS inspector. Passionate about the way education can open opportunities for all children and supports the Church of England vision for education of ‘life in all its’ fullness’ being made available to all.
Michael Caine (Elected)
Chair of The Board of Trustees
A Trust Member and Chair of Members and Directors (governor since Oct 11), previously Vice chair of Governors since Feb 14 and a member of the finance committee and board of Governors since Oct 11. A Senior Manager, working for the Nat West Bank, with a service record of 29 years. Skills include the provision of commercial finance, corporate restructuring solutions, Financial Analysis, Relationship Management, Service Level maintenance and Business Development.
Rev Vincent Whitworth
Parochial Church Council Member
Currently the Vicar of St Bede Church, and has been part of the St Bede family since 2019. A Trust Member as well as serving on the Local Governing Board. Vast experience of governance in education; having served as a governor, trustee and member of other schools and MATs within the Bolton area. Interested in further developing the school vision and the distinctive Christian Ethos of St Bede Academy and the Trust and regularly leads collective worship within St Bede Academy and supports the amazing pupil Ethos group there. Immensely proud of the relationship that St Bede Church has with St Bede Academy and is committed to developing this further in the years to come.
Venerable Rachel Mann
Archdeacon of Bolton
Ministered in the diocese for 18 years, serving her curacy at St Matthew's Church, Stretford before taking on the role of Priest-in-Charge and later Rector at the Church of St Nicholas, Burnage. In June 2021, left St Nicholas Burnage to take on role of Area Dean of Bury and Rossendale.
A prolific writer of poetry, liturgy, theology and fiction and is a regular commentator on BBC radio and television, and can often be heard sharing a Pause For Thought on BBC Radio 2 and Thought for the Day on Radio 4.
Simon Cook
Area Dean of Bolton
Area Dean of Bolton since June 2021 – and prior to that was a parish priest in Bury for 10 years, and a curate in Salford for 3 years. Passionate about education and the difference it makes to young people, families and the wider communities around them – and the role of Church Schools in promoting the common good for people of all faiths and none, based on the teaching and example of Jesus Christ. Served as a Governor and Member of a number of Primary and High Schools and Academy Trusts, and as a Trustee for several charities. Married to a Headteacher and has two sons.