The Council is the corporate body responsible for how the GTCNI operates and delivers its statutory remit and the objectives set out in its annual Business Plan and Corporate Strategy.
The 2018–19 Business Plan has been set by the Council and agreed with the Department of Education.
The Council has endorsed a new Corporate Governance Framework setting out its oversight role, standing orders and Code of Conduct.
Corporate Governance Framework
The Council includes:
- 14 elected teachers;
- 5 teachers appointed by the Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council;
- 10 appointed from key educational stakeholders; and
- 4 Department of Education ministerial appointments including 1 representative of industry and commerce and 3 reflect the wider public interest.
All members of Council serve a four year term and the Chair of Council and Vice Chair are elected by the Council.
Council membership (2019 – 2023)
Elected Members
Nursery School representative
- Sonia McGowan
Special School representative
- Julian Morgan
Primary School Teacher representatives
- Stuart Bill
- Ciara Duffy
- Shaunagh Lambe
- Lisa Magennis
- Catriona Mullan
Secondary School Teacher representatives
- Dr David Baxter
- Siobhan McElhinney
- Brendan Morgan
- Susan Parlour
- Keith Smith
Primary School Principal representative
- Dr Graham Gault
Secondary School Principal representative
- Fiona Kane
Appointed Members
Northern Ireland Teachers’ Council
- Raymond Beggs
- Emma Loughridge
- John Kelly
- TBC
- Gordon White
Education Authority
- Áine Andrews
- John Unsworth
Council for Catholic Maintained Schools
- Shirley McKenna
- Paul O’Doherty
Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta
- Maria Thomasson
Governing Bodies Association
- Mary Lou Winchborne
Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education
- Cliodhna Scott–Wills
Transferor Representatives’ Council
- John Wilkinson
Trustees of Catholic Maintained Schools
- Martin Cromie
Universities Council for the Education of Teachers
- Dr Martin Hagan
Department of Education
- Paul Boyle
- Maria Mullally
- Vacant
- Vacant