Governors
Ceara, like all special schools, has nine governors. Governors are appointed/elected for a period of four years. Our current board of governors was reconstituted in February 2019. Governors are unpaid and act in a voluntary capacity in accordance with the principles of public appointments.
The Department for Education (DE) appoints three governors, while the Education Authority-Southern Region (EASR) appoints two governors. Two governors are elected from the parents of children attending the school and one teacher governor is elected from within the teaching staff.
Governors meet as a body at least once each term with the appointments sub committee (five governors) meeting as required.
Each year, the principal produces, on behalf of Governors, a Report for the previous school year. The report covers staffing, the school curriculum, school links, school funding, child protection, school policies and pastoral care. Copies of these reports may be had from the Web Site. In addition, copies are kept in the entrance foyer.
The Governor's report supplements the monthly 'School Newsheet' which is published in the 'Newsletters' section of our web site and is full of school information. Hard copies are also available in the General Office.
The school acting principal is the secretary to the Board of Governors. However, as she was neither elected or appointed by DE or the EASR, she has no vote in any discussions or appointments.
All Governors are trained in Child Protection matters. Governors may avail of training in recruitment, health and safety as provided by the EASR.
Two records are kept of all governor meetings; one is kept in school, the other is sent to the EASR.
Our current governors, appointed in February 2019 are:
Mr Joe Nelson (Chair of Governors)
EASR Representative
Mrs Diane McClelland (Vice Chair)
EASR Representative
Mr Dan Corr
EASR Representative
Mrs Ruth Sears
DE Representative
TBC
DE Representative
Ms Eileen McCabe
Parents' Representative
Dr Eimear Thompson
Parents' Representative
Establishment of sub committees
Appointments sub committee
Mr Joe Nelson
Mrs Diane McClelland
Ms Eileen McCabe
Policy sub committee
Mrs Ruth Seers
Mrs Diane McClelland
Mr Joe Nelson
Complaints sub committee
Mr Joe Nelson
Mr Dan Corr
Ms Eileen McCabe
Disciplinary sub committee
Mr Dan Corr
Mrs Ruth Seers
Mrs Eileen McCabe
Appeals sub committee
Mrs Diane McClelland
Mrs Eimear Sheehan
Mrs Ruth Seers
Finance sub committee
Mr Dan Corr
Mr Joe Nelson
Inspection of Building sub committee
All governors
Governor with responsibility for
Child protection
Mrs Eimear Sheehan
Ms Eileen McCabe (deputy)
Staff absence Health and well-being including managing attendance
Mr Joe Nelson
2 PRSD Principal reviewers
Mr Joe Nelson
Ms Eileen McCabe
Employment Termination Committee
Mr Joe Nelson
Mrs Ruth Seers
Mr Dan Corr
Appeals for Employment Termination Committee
As required