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 2024/25

Cressida Knox

Headteacher (ex-officio)
Attendance at meetings 2024/25: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2023-24: 3/3
No business interests declared

Alexander Cross

Parent member & AB Chair
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2023-24: 4/4
Business interests declared 8.9.24: EYFS Phase Leader, Dovelands Primary School since Aug’17

Emma Cramp

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2023-24: 4/4
Business interests declared 3.9.24: NHS employee since 2008.

Emma Hewitt

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2023-24: 4/4
Business interests declared 10.9.24: Senior Education tutor/researcher at Pen Green Centre for Children and Families since 2016.

Michael Joules

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2023-24: 3/4
Business interests declared 9.9.24: Head of Marketplaces, Pertemba since May’23.

Racheal Chapman

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2024.25: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2023-24: 3/4
No business interests declared 9.9.24

Louise Barber

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2024-25: 1/1
Attendance at meetings 2023-24: 3/4
No business interests declared 7.9.24

Parent AB member

Vacancy

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.