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 2026-27

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 2026-27: n/a
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 3/3
Child is a pupil at the school declared 24.8.26.

Parent member & AB Chair
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2026-27: n/a
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 3/3
EYFS Phase Leader – Dovelands Primary School since August 2017 declared 25.8.26

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2026-27: n/a
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 2/3
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 2026-27: n/a
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 3/3
NNC/Pen Green, Senior Education Tutor/Researcher, January 2016; Hewitt Insight Consulting, IT consultancy, Director, 2025; child is pupil at the school declared 4.9.26

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2026-27: n/a
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 2/3
No interests declared 24.8.26.

Community member
Term of Office: 18.12.23-17.12.26
Attendance at meetings 2026-27: n/a
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 3/3
Employed within the Central Team, Discovery Schools Trust declared 7.9.26.

Elected staff member
Term of Office: 3.9.24-2.9.27
Attendance at meetings 2026-27: n/a
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 2/3
No interests declared 4.9.26

Parent member
Term of Office: 30.9.24-29.9.27
Attendance at meetings 2026-27: n/a
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 3/3
Enstar EU Limited; Wellington Place Primary School PTA – Joint Treasurer declared 21.9.26.

Community member
Term of Office: 14.5.26-13.5.29
Attendance at meetings 2026-27: n/a
Attendance at meetings 2025-26: 1/1
Interests declared 28.8.26: Employee, ENABLING ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY, Educational support services, Strategy and Automation Associate since May 2026.