School Advisory Board
Welcome to the Advisory Board of Parkland Primary School
At Discovery School Academy Trust the Board of Trustees (sometimes known as the board of directors or governing body) is ultimately responsible for governance of the schools in the trust and is accountable for their performance. To support effective governance and oversight, the Board has delegated governance function to be carried out through committees, locally through each school Advisory Board and through the central executive team.
The School Advisory Board has a key role in influencing the direction of the school by offering their experience and expertise to strengthen the decision-making process to support the strategic development of the school and ensure it is meeting the needs of the children. The functions of the Advisory Board are set out in the Trust Scheme of Delegation which sets out the requirements of the Trust and details where the Trustees delegate governance functions locally.
The Advisory Board consists of parents, staff and community representatives; the Headteacher is a member of the Advisory Board by virtue of their office. Community Members are appointed by the Advisory Board and are people, who in the opinion of the Advisory Board, have the skills required to contribute to the work of the board; Parent and staff members are elected to the board by the parent and staff body respectively.
School Advisory Board Members: 2021 - 22
Jo Andrews
Celia Varley
Sanjay Thakrar
Fiona Ellis
Samantha Creed
Niki McMillan
Suresh Sudera
Jo Andrews
Jo Andrews
Headteacher
Celia Varley
Celia Varley
- Chair of Advisory Board and Community member
- Term of Office: 15.1.2021 – 14.1.2024
- Attendance at AB meetings 2021-22 2/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2020-21 4/4
- Business interests declared 1.9.21: Education consultant, CFV Ltd since April 2011; Discovery Trust Member & Advisory Board Member at Parkland Primary School.
My name is Celia Varley and it has been a real privilege to be a Parkland Primary School Governor and Advisory Board member for over 10 years.
I have lived in Wigston for most of my life and value the opportunity to continue to work in partnership with Jo Andrews, all the staff and yourselves as parents and carers, to provide the best possible provision and education for your children who attend this school.
I have worked in Primary Schools for over 37 years. Initially as a teacher, then a Consultant for the Local Authority and for the last 10 years working for myself, providing School Improvement support for leadership teams so have a depth of understanding about the Education system.
I am currently Chair of the Advisory Board and I remain committed to supporting positive outcomes for your children.
If you see me on the playground please come and say hello.
Celia Varley
Sanjay Thakrar
Sanjay Thakrar
- Vice-Chair and Community member
- Term of Office: 8.6.20 – 7.6.23
- Attendance at AB meetings 2021-22 2/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2020-21 4/4
- Business interests declared 10.9.21: Employed at Santander Banking; Parent governor at Alderman Richard Hallam Primary School since 2016; member of ACCA since 2000 and ACT since 2004.
I am vice-chair of the Parklands Advisory Board and have been a member since 2016. I work in the Risk department for Santander at their Head Office. I take an active interest in the work the leadership team undertake to embed the values of Parklands into every day culture and developing all rounded children for the future.
Fiona Ellis
Fiona Ellis
- Staff member
- Term of Office: 28.9.20-27.9.23
- Attendance at AB meetings 2021-22 2/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2020-21 4/4
- No relevant business interests declared 13.9.21.
I have been a member of the Parkland Advisory Board for just over 4 years now and really enjoy working in partnership with each member. As a member of staff working in the school, I can add information to help others with their understanding of our school and the way in which it works.
As subject leader for PE, I am passionate about raising the profile of PE and sport through the use of the PE and Sport Premium Funding and by making lessons and clubs fun and inclusive for all pupils to enjoy! I also have a real interest in pastoral care and special educational needs and feel that being a part of the Advisory Board has given me further knowledge in these areas.
I have taught in both the secondary and primary education sectors for just over 15 years now and understand the power of education and the positive impact schools like Parkland have on young people’s lives.
I look forward to continuing in my role as an Advisory Board staff member and remain committed to helping all our pupils get the best education possible 2021 at Parkland.
Samantha Creed
Samantha Creed
- Parent Term of Office: 16.10.20-15.10.23
- Attendance at AB meetings 2021-22 2/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2020-21 3/3
- No business interests declared 26.8.21
My name is Samantha Creed and I have been a parent at parklands primary school for the past 7 years and an advisory board parent representative for 1 year.
I grew up in Wigston and attended Parkland Primary myself so feel a strong connection to the school. After qualifying as a nursery nurse, I worked as a TA in an infant school in the city. After my 2 children came along, I had developed a passion for children’s welfare and opportunities so we decided to become foster carers. I have been a foster carer for 6 years and have experience with children with SEN and additional needs.
I look forward to continuing to work with the Advisory board to support positive outcomes for all children.
Niki McMillan
Niki McMillan
- Parent Term of Office: 23.5.2021 – 22.5.2024
- Attendance at AB meetings 2021-22 2/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2020-21 2/4
Business interests declared 13.9.21 Midday Supervisor and Cleaner at Parkland Primary School
I live locally and have 2 children that have both attended Parkland Primary. I have been a parent member of the advisory board since 2017.
Suresh Sudera
Suresh Sudera
- Community Member
- Term of Office: 13.5.21 – 12.5.24
- Attendance at AB meetings 2021-22 2/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2020-21 1/1
- No business interests declared 29.8.21
My name is Suresh Sudera, and I am a community member on the advisory board for Parkland Primary School.
Born and bred in Leicester, I currently work as a Director of Strategic Partnerships for a global applications technology company based in Palo Alto, CA and am also a diversity, equity and inclusion ambassador for a London based organisation helping individuals and organisations champion such efforts.
With a global corporate career spanning 15+ years, including leading global commercial product units at Samsung and Vodafone, I have extensive international, inclusive leadership experience managing local and remote diverse teams and partners in matrix organisations.
I believe deeply in local community support and enhancements in primary school education to improve prospects for all pupils.
Get in Touch
If you have a passion for improving outcomes for children and would like to use your skills and expertise to contribute to the governance of our schools please get in touch by contacting the Head of Governance, Helen Stockill at hstockill@discoveryschoolstrust.org.uk
You can contact our Chair of the Advisory Board, Celia Varley, via the Trust Clerk clerk@discoveryschoolstrust.org.uk
Board meeting minutes are available on request. Requests should be directed to the Trust Clerk clerk@discoveryschoolstrust.org.uk