Aquinas Advisory Council (AAC)

Bishop Ridley is an academy within the Aquinas Church of England Trust (Aquinas).

The responsibility for the oversight and management of all aspects of Aquinas rests with the Board of Trustees. The day-to-day management of the Trust has been delegated by the Trustees to the Chief Executive Officer, Kathy Griffiths. The day-to-day operation of Bishop Ridley Church of England Primary School has been delegated to Stuart Keep, Headteacher.

In order to assist the Headteacher, the Trustees of Aquinas have established Aquinas Advisory Councils (AACs) for each academy, including Bishop Ridley CE Primary School.

The members of Bishop Ridley's AAC are as follows:

Stuart Keep - Headteacher

Debbie Haughton - Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice (Chair)

Kingsley Moore - Wellbeing Lead

Lisa Cooper - Safeguarding

Louisa Colohan - SEND

Kathryn Ellis - Staff Appointment

The purpose of the AAC is to support, advise and be a critical friend to the Headteacher in raising standards of achievement and progress for all learners.

The AAC does have delegated responsibility in relation to aspects of admissions, appointments of staff, complaints, performance management, permanent exclusions, school inspections, staff grievance and disciplinary. The AAC also has the ability to escalate concerns to the Headteacher, CEO or the Trustees.

The AAC members meet at least three times a year and certain members will have specific functions as agreed by the AAC and the Headteacher. Members will also forge links with the school and the wider community. Notes of the AAC meetings are available on request.

AAC members' code of conduct and declaration of business interested support the following principles: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

If you wish to contact the Chair of the AAC or any of its members, please email admin@bishop-ridley.bexley.sch.uk and insert in the subject box, 'For the attention of the clerk to the Aquinas Advisory Council'.

AAC Protocol and Delegation - April 2026