Advisory Board

School Advisory Board

At Discovery 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 of Trustees has delegated certain governance functions to be carried out locally through each school’s Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board has a range of responsibilities:

  • Supporting good governance of the school.
  • Safeguarding and promoting the values of the school.
  • Supporting and providing challenge to the Headteacher by acting as a critical friend.
  • Monitoring achievement, quality of teaching, attendance, behaviour and safety.
  • Supporting effective financial governance.
  • Engaging with the school’s key stakeholders, such as parents/carers, pupils, and staff.

Composition of the Advisory Board

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 based on the skills required to contribute to its work. Parent and staff members are elected to the Advisory Board by the parent and staff bodies, respectively.

Current local governance arrangements 2025-26

The Chair of the AB is Alexander Cross, and he can be contacted at [email protected]

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 Local Governance Manager, [email protected]

Being an Advisory Board member does require a time commitment. Board meetings are usually held four times a year, and members need to commit approximately 10 hours per term to attend meetings and perform background reading. Additionally, there are regular opportunities to visit the school. The Trust and the school also provide training and development activities to help board members meet the ongoing needs of their role.

Further information about the Trust, Scheme of Delegation and Governance Strategy can be found on the Discovery Trust website.

Headteacher (ex-officio)
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2024/25: 4/4
No interests declared 2.9.25

Parent member & AB Chair
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 4/4
Dovelands Primary School; Primary School; EYFS Phase Leader; August 2017; Child attends Wellington Place Primary School declared 7.9.25

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 4/4
Business interests declared 20.11.25: Employee KGH, Hospital NHS, 2008.

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 3/4
NNC/Pen Green, Centre for Children and Families, Jan 2016 declared 7.9.25

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 4/4
Business interests declared 22.1.25: Digital Director, Executive Board Member, Universal Textiles UK Ltd (dba Pertemba) since Jan’25.

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 4/4
Employed within the Central Team, Discovery Schools Trust declared 2.9.25

Elected staff member
Term of Office: 3.9.24-2.9.27
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 0/1
Attendance at meetings 2024.25: 3/4
No interests declared 3.9.25

Parent member
Term of Office: 30.9.24-29.9.27
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 3/3
Enstar EU Limited; Wellington Place PTA – Joint Treasurer declared 25.11.25