School Advisory Board

If you are interested in joining the Advisory Board, please contact the school office.

Welcome to Merrydale Junior School's 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, the Board delegates governance functions 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: 2024-25

Tony Corbett - Headteacher (ex-officio)

Attendance at AB meeting 2024-25: 1/1
Attendance at AB meeting 2023-24: 4/4
Family member employed at Merrydale Junior School declared 10.9.24

Mariam Essof - Community Member

I joined the Board in the first quarter of 2020 as I strongly believe in the importance of giving back to the community and joined the Board with that intention.

Currently I am a Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University where I teach Financial Accounting and Audit and Assurance within the Department of Accounting and Finance. I am a Chartered Accountant by profession and have completed my PGC in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. I am also a Fellow with Advanced HE.

I have lived in several different countries, receiving my education in Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia. This exposure has given me a broader world view, an enriched perspective and stronger appreciation of life.

I am married with 2 children, love travelling, being with nature and running to keep fit. My mantra is to always maintain a grateful heart and positive mind set.

Community member
Term of Office: 25.2.23-24.2.26
Attendance at AB meeting 2024-25: 0/1
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 2/4
No business interests declared 23.9.24

Karen Ludden - Community Member - Chair

Appointed Community member

Appointed Chair Sept 2024
Term of Office: 7.4.22-6.4.25
Attendance at AB meetings 2024-25: 1/1
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 4/4
No business interests declared 28.8.24

Rawinder Kaur - Community Member

Appointed Community member
Term of Office: 7.4.22-6.4.25
Attendance at AB meetings 2024-25: 0/1
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 2/4
Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University since Sept 2018; member of ACCA since January 2020 declared 28.9.23

Vacancy - Elected Parent Member

Fahima Ali Elected Parent Member

Elected Parent member
Term of Office: 9.11.22-8.11.25
Attendance at AB meetings 2024-25: 1/1
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 4/4
Employed as a Customer Services Specialist declared 7.11.23

Kate Hodgkinson Elected Staff member

Elected Staff member

Term of Office: 19.5.23-18.5.26

Attendance at AB meetings 2024-25: 1/1

Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 4/4

No interests declared 6.11.24

Marie Bannatyne - Community Member - Vice Chair

Appointed Community member Stepped down as Chair and elected as Vice Chair Sept 2024

Term of Office: 1.9.23-31.8.26
Attendance at AB meetings 2024-25: 1/1
Attendance at AB meetings 2023-24: 4/4
Interests declared 29.8.24: Head of Governance at Discovery Trust since Oct’22; Advisory Board member at Keyham Lodge School.

Scheme of Delegation

Governance Strategy

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.org You can contact our Chair of the Advisory Board, Marie Bannatyne, directly at mbannatyne@discoverytrust.org or via the Trust Clerk Board meeting minutes are available on request. Requests should be directed to the Trust Clerk clerk@discoverytrust.org