Advisory Board

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, the Board delegates governance functions to be carried out through committees, locally through each school Advisory Board and through the central executive team.

The Advisory Board has a range of responsibilities:

  1. Supporting good governance of the school.
  2. Safeguarding and promoting the values of the school.
  3. Supporting the Headteacher of the school and being a critical friend.
  4. Monitoring the achievement, quality of teaching and behaviour and safety.
  5. Supporting effective financial governance.
  6. Engagement with the school’s key stakeholders e.g. parents/carers, pupils and staff.

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.

Message from the Chair of the Advisory Board

“Welcome to Woolden Hill Primary School. My name is William James;

Woolden Hill is an exciting school, where I truly believe our children can live up to the Schools motto – “Achieving success, creating futures together”.

I very much look forward to working with the School, Parents and the wider community to ensure that everyone is safe in school and the children’s learning potential is reached.”

School Advisory Board Members: 2023/24

NamePosition Held
Candi NormanHeadteacher
William JamesChair of Advisory Board, appointed Community member
Term of Office 10.5.22 – 9.5.25
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 3/3
 Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 4/4
Business interests declared Target Studios photography 14.9.23
Sujay LavingiaAppointed Community member and Vice chair
Term of Office 19.1.23-18.1.26
Attendance at AB meetings 2023/24: 2/3
Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 3/4
Business interests declared Finance Manager, Marks and Spencer Plc since Oct’22 13.11.23
Elizabeth RocheAppointed Community member
Term of Office 27.3.21 – 26.3.24
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 1/3
Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 2/4
No relevant business interests declared 5.9.23
Lauren AtkinsonAppointed Community member
Term of Office 10.5.22 – 9.5.25
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 3/3
Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 4/4
No relevant business interests declared 7.9.23
Liz CooperElected Staff member
Term of Office 10.12.22-9.12.25
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 2/3
Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 2/4
No business interests declared 13.9.23
Barbara GibsonElected Parent member
Term of Office 10.3.23-9.3.26
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 3/3
Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 4/4
Business interests declared Employee Special Educational Needs team, Leicestershire County
Council since Jan22 9.10.23
Orla MyattElected Parent member
Term of Office 15.3.23-14.3.26
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 3/3
Attendance at AB meetings 2022-23: 1/1
Business interests declared  Employee,
Nottingham Trent University since Feb’22; trustee, The
Sentencing Academy since Feb’22’; the Law Society Nottinghamshire,
non-practising solicitor member since March’23 20.9.23

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@discoverytrust.orgBoard meeting minutes are available on request. Requests should be directed to the Trust Clerk clerk@discoverytrust.orgClick here to visit the DSAT website