Meet the Governance

With extensive knowledge and experience of governance and a driving ambition to ensure children’s needs can be met, Marie Ashley is committed to providing the best possible education for all stakeholders.  With children of school age, Marie is passionate about teaching and learning and ensuring each child can be well supported throughout their educational journey.  Her background in environmental health and human resources provides for solid leadership and management.
[No pecuniary interests declared]

Since joining the Science team in 2006, Karina Porter has worked in a number key posts at the campus, including Coordinator, Associate and Director of Teaching and Learning roles.  Having gained Advanced Skills Teacher status, she continued to champion her subject vigorously.  With a wealth of experience, she became Vice Principal at Parkside in 2016, before becoming Associate Principal.  She is well placed to lead and manage the Studio College, with the necessary drive and ambition to secure student outcomes.
[No pecuniary interests declared]

Sarah Driscoll has vast experience in educational leadership in both the primary and secondary phase, as well as Studio Colleges and UTCs.  Starting her career as an English teacher, Sarah has worked in various leadership positions as Principal, School Adviser and School Inspector. She is passionate about maximising opportunities within the Trust for cross-collaborative working and ensuring all children are supported to reach their potential from the moment they arrive in Nursery through to Post 16.  Indeed, as Chief Officer – Standards, she is committed to ensuring that all stakeholders are well placed to maximise their potential.
[No pecuniary interests declared]

Heidi Faure is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of success. As a former Mathematics Teacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Management, Heidi moved into the role of Vice Principal, before becoming Principal in January 2013; and Executive Principal in February 2018 with responsibility for the secondary phase.  As Chief Officer – Operations, she continues to be an advocate of clear targets and monitoring of progress.  She continually strives to secure fantastic outcomes for all learners. As a former governor of a local primary school, she has an absolute understanding of the needs of the community and is resolute that all children should fulfil their potential.
[No pecuniary interests declared]

Debra Smith has been associated with the Trust in various capacities since September 2008. Her experience together with an MA in Integrated Provision for Children and Families, makes her well placed to discharge her role as Director of Early Years and Family Services.  With day nursery management experience and strategic lead at a local primary school where she set up stand-alone, self-financing pre-school provision, Debbie has been active in the local community, championing the cause of families bringing up children in challenging circumstances.  As governor, she continues to be a great advocate for high quality Early Years provision.

Little Marvels Nursery Services Limited (Early Years) - Professional interest only, Pecuniary interest declared 15th November 2016. Rowensbrook Training and Development, Professional interest only, first declared March 2017

Mario Flanagan has worked within the Hyatt Hotels Corporation for more than 12 years, and has a wealth of operational and management experience.  His career began in South Africa, where he held leading operational positions and undertook various special projects before moving to London in 2010 to take up post as Hotel Manager at Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill.  As General Manager at Hyatt Regency Birmingham, he led the refurbishment and repositioning of the hotel in an increasingly competitive market, before becoming the General Manager of Andaz London Liverpool Street.  Andaz celebrates local culture and the unique spirit of the neighbourhood in which it is based, allowing guests to live like a local in the four walls of the hotel. Mario shares this strong sense of community and diversity, and aims to impart a customer focused mind-set to life whilst implementing strategy that continues to build on ethos and core values. 
[No pecuniary interests declared]