Families in Partnership
Fun • Creativity • Achievement
Governance
Families in Partnership – Our local Governance
Purpose:
The primary focus of the Families in Partnership model is to ensure the Trust communicates and engages with our school communities, becoming ‘anchor institutions’ in their local area.
We want parents, carers, and members of the local community to be at the heart of our Trust.
Membership:
Each school has its own Families in Partnership group made up of Trustees, the school Principal, elected parents and members of the school community. The meetings are also open to all members of the school community to join.
All elected and nominated representatives will adhere to the Nolan Principles of Public Office and safeguarding requirements.
The role of the elected parents is to provide feedback on school priorities, ethos and direction, ‘championing’ school achievements, developing local links for learning and employment, and providing a link to the school community.
Our elected members provide feedback from the community; raising concerns and helping to shape the work of the school and Trust. We also ask our elected parents to attend, where possible, key school events, such as Sports Days and Parents’ Evenings.
How it works:
At each meeting, the group receives updates on developments at the Trust and priorities of the school whilst having the opportunity to provide feedback and ask any questions.
There is also a section to discuss any local matters affecting the school or the school community. Items can be added to the agenda by elected parents or raised at the meeting by members of the community.
All elected and nominated members will be able to access the Trust Governance Professional as required about any matter relating to the group.
An overview of each meeting will be on each school Families in Partnership web page and will be included in the Principals Newsletter. All elected and nominated parents will have a pen portrait on the school Families in Partnership webpage. Members will be expected to be a voice of our parents and community but not the voice of the parents or community. Moreover, the group is not a place for parents or individuals to discuss their child or an individual child. The group will focus on the school as a whole.
Our next meeting will be Thursday 28th September at 7pm
Our Families in Partnership members:
Carmilla Cassidy – Principal
Carmilla was appointed Principal of Parklands Primary School in June 2020. She has more than 10 years experience of working in primary schools across Northamptonshire and Staffordshire where she has worked within different leadership teams with a focus on school improvement.
Carmilla is passionate about giving children the very best start in their education career and ensuring their school is a very special place, that provides them with incredible experiences.
Emma Bell – Nominated
Emma was previously a governor at the school. Having worked in HR for over 15 years, she recently left a Senior HR role at the Open University, to start an role at a global technology company as Director of People Operations. Emma is keen to be able to continue to support the school moving forward, to ensure that the children are well nurtured and well-rounded individuals.
Prof. Michael Opoku Agyeman PhD, MSc, MA (Edu), EMBA, BSc (Hons), PGDIP (CMI), PGCert (PGR Supv.), PGCert (Digi. Ldrshp), PGCAP, FHEA, MACM, CMgr, MCMI, CEng, MIET, SMIEEE – Elected
Michael is a father of 3 kids at Parklands Primary and a Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Northampton (UoN). Michael is the founder and Director of the Centre for Advanced and Smart Technologies (CAST) at UoN. He is also the Co-founder and Director of Centre for Race Equality (CARE) at UoN and Programme Leader of Electronics and Computer Engineering, a Chartered Engineer (CEng) of the IET, Chartered Manager (CMgr) of CMI, Senior Member of the IEEE (SMIEEE) and a Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Michael has held several academics committee and leadership positions including representing the research community in the University Senate, Chairing the research supervisory forum, and sitting on Faculty research degree boards.
Michael is the author of over 80 peer-reviews publications: five books, two book chapters, over 16 journals and 32 conference papers. Besides his curriculum activities, he is an Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) educator who has implemented/delivered several innovative and training around creating and inclusive environment for both academics and students towards student retention, closing the grade and award gap as well as enhancing the overall learning experience. In 2022 his team received the Education Changemaker of the year award in recognition of the Cultural Integration workshops. In 2019, he won the Diamond Early Career Research Award at the University of Northampton. He is also a winner of the University of Northampton’s 2018 International Changemaker of the year award. Michael’s research interest span across three main strands and disciplines: 1. Electronics and Computer Engineering (Computer architecture, robotics, embedded systems, sensor design); 2. Business and Management (Neuromarketing, advertising and marketing research) and 3. Pedagogy (Education Research). Michael has a PhD in Electrical/Electronics/Computer Engineering and MSc in Embedded and Distributed Systems. He also holds a BSc. (Hons) in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and four teaching qualifications.
Jo Byrne – Elected
Jo Byrne currently has two children at Parklands. Jo works for a local family photographic business. Alongside this, Jo also provides respite care for a young adult with additional needs, this role has also given her experience in working with safeguarding procedures and parental links.
Register of Interests 22/23: