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: 2023-24
Andrew Hayes
Lauren Charlton
Sanjay Thakrar
Nick Hughes
Niki McMillan
Rita Samji
Louise Barber
Anna Harrington
Taruna Masani
Joel Murray
Andrew Hayes
Andrew Hayes
Acting Headteacher (ex-officio)
No business interests declared 7.9.23.
Lauren Charlton
Lauren Charlton
- AB chair & Community member
- Term of office: 14.9.23-13.9.26
- Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 2/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: n/a
- Business interest declared 6.9.23: Staff Education Specialist, Fresh Start In Education since July 2017; vice-chair of trustees at Symphony Learning Trust since Sept 2016.
Sanjay Thakrar
Sanjay Thakrar
- Community member
- Term of Office: 8.6.20 – 1.12.23
- Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 2/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 4/4
- Business interests declared 14.9.23: 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 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
Nick Hughes
Nick Hughes
- Parent member
- Term of Office: 12.10.23-11.10.26
- Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 1/1
- Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: n/a
- Business interests declared 13.10.2: Reception lead, South Wigston HC GP Practice since
Oct22; member of the AB work colleague/line manager.
Niki McMillan
Niki McMillan
- Parent member
- Term of Office: 23.5.2021 – 22.5.24
- Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 2/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 4/4
- No business interests declared 14.9.23
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.
Rita Samji
- Staff member
- Term of Office: 7.4.22-6.4.25
- Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 1/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 4/4
- No business interests declared 7.9.23
My name is Rita Samji. I am the Office Manager at Parkland Primary school and have been doing this role for 5 years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Parkland and in my role, I have the pleasure of working with all staff at Parkland. This strong working relationship gives me an insight to support others on the Advisory Board. I am looking forward to being part of the Advisory Board and am committed to making a difference for our children and the wider community.
Louise Barber
- Community member
- Term of Office: 26.5.22-25.5.25
- Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 1/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 3/4
- No business interests declared 18.9.23
My name is Louise Barber, and I am Director of Operations for Discovery Trust working as part of the Central Services Team that supports schools
belonging to the wider Discovery organisation.
I have worked in education for 22 years and have been employed by the Trust as its Director of Operations since 2012. I work closely with school senior leaders and have a broad background and understanding of educational policy, HR, and all matters of an operational nature.
I am looking forward to joining the Advisory Board at Parkland Primary school and learning more about the school at a local level. I am passionate about making a difference for our children and working with colleagues to ensure we provide the best opportunities possible to the children that attend the school and as part of the wider school community.
Anna Harrington
- Community member & Vice-Chair
- Term of Office: 14.9.23-13.9.26
- Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 2/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: n/a
- Business interests declared 17.9.23: University of Leicester Research Associate
Taruna Masani
- Community member
- Term of Office: 14.9.23-13.9.26
- Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 1/2
- Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: n/a
- No business interests declared
Joel Murray
- Parent member
- Term of Office: 12.10.23-11.10.26
- Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 1/1
- Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: n/a
- No business interests declared 27.10.23
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 Trust Central team c/o clerk@discoveryschoolstrust.org.uk
You can contact our Chair of the Advisory Board, Lauren Charlton, lcharlton@dsatbraunstone.org
Board meeting minutes are available on request. Requests should be directed to the Trust Clerk clerk@discoveryschoolstrust.org.uk