Academy Council & BKCAT Governance

The Chair of the Academy Council is Mr Tony Deighton. If you would like to contact Mr Deighton, please do so via email at office@sjb.bkcat.uk or by post to St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, Beckbridge Lane, Normanton, West Yorkshire, WF6 2HZ.

We are fortunate to have a highly effective, skilled and supportive Academy Council. They ensure that leaders in the school provide high academic standards through an effective broad and balanced Catholic education. 

Our governors are active in the life of the school. They undertake regular visits, monitor the impact of the school developments and help drive the strategic direction of St John's. 

 Please see our pen portraits below to find out a bit more about each one of us. 

Pen Portraits

Mr Tony Deighton: Chair of Governors

A proud father of two, I moved with my family from Leeds to Normanton in 2022 and quickly found a home at St John’s. 

The school’s warmth, ethos and commitment to learning made a lasting impression.
I became a Foundation Governor in 2023 and now serve as Chair, continuing to support the school that has given so much to my children. 

Orla has now moved on to St Wilfrid’s, Sam is thriving in Year 2, and my wife Jess is an active member of the PA.
With a career in senior roles across Retail Banking, I bring leadership, commercial insight and regulatory expertise to help guide and support our school’s continued growth, rooted in our Catholic values.

Mr Gordon Dick: Vice Chair of Governors 

I have been Married for over 45 years!  I have 2 children, 5 grandchildren and 2 of my grandchildren go/went to St John’s.

I Joined St John’s  Academy Council 3 years ago and in 2025 I became Vice Chair a role which I am truly honoured to have. 

I have been retired from the age of 50 and I wanted to put my business experience to good use.

I worked as a Senior Executive at a major music /entertainment business which I was part of it's journey growing to the biggest in UK/Europe.

I am so happy with what this Academy has achieved over the last 3 years and look forward to working with a fantastic teaching team in our plans for the coming years .

Mr Dean Simon: Foundation Governor 

Pen portrait will be added.

Mrs Patricia Grainger: Staff Governor

Pen portrait will be added. 

Mr Paul Hogan: Foundation Governor 

 A married father of 39 years with 3 adult children all of which benefited from a great education at St John's and St Wilfrid's. We now have two grandchildren enjoying their educational journey at St John's and one who too had a great education at St John's and is now at St Wilfrid's.

I have served on St John's Academy Council for over 7 years, the last 5 as Chair, and this coming year as Foundation Governor in my final year of transition.

I consider myself an enthusiastic, versatile, committed, influential and passionate business leader with a postgraduate diploma in Business and Management and over 30 years of Financial Services experience working with one of the UK's largest banks.

Now retired I want to utilise my skills and breadth of experience to benefit those who have played their part in the development and nurturing of my own family in whatever small way I can.

Mr James Wray: Foundation Governor   

I am now retired from my role in manufacturing. I spend much of my time at my allotment and also enjoy cycling. My work background concerned quality assurance and auditing; ensuring quality and creating action plans to aid improvements. This has given me experiences of being both audited and conducting audits - which I hope will be beneficial as my role as a governor. 

My Catholic education gives me a strong interest and understanding of Catholic values and I am also a member of the St John's Parish. I am now very passionate about giving back to the community. 

Mrs Elaine Wharton: Parent Governor 

I have been a parent governor now since July 2021 and my son is currently enjoying his educational journey at St John's in KS1. I have a strong financial background as a chartered management accountant and am currently working in the area of performance management. 

I am a keen gardener in my spare time and enjoy growing vegetables.

In my role as a governor, I am enjoying giving back to the school community and currently lead the finance committee. 

 Mr Richard Markey: Parent Governor 

 As a new parent governor, I am enjoying my role at St John's. My own education was within nearby Catholic educational settings and my degree qualification is in social housing. Through these and my ongoing career, I have gained experiences and skills in welfare reform, safeguarding and vulnerabilities within communities. I hope these aforementioned attributes will bring a new range of skills to the Academy Council. 

My son is currently in KS1 and we both enjoy watching and playing many sports, including Rugby League, Football and golf. I am looking forward to giving back to the community and hope I can help St John's develop further. 

Register of Interests & Attendance

BKCAT Governance

Governance-related documentation, Governor & Director recruitment details and Trust financial information can be found in the Governance section of the Trust website:

Articles of Association, Scheme of Delegation & Code of Conduct