Local Committees and Trustees

Becoming a Parent Local Committee Member

As vacancies arise, all parents and carers will be informed via text, email or letter.

If you are a parent or carer of a student registered at Redden Court School, then you are eligible to stand for election and we hope that you may be interested in putting yourself forward.

If you are interested, it may be helpful for you to know what is involved. The commitment to the role would involve you attending meetings and undertaking training. The Local Committees meets 3 times a term. All the meetings take place on a weekday evening.  Training is freely available through the Local Authority and on occasions, whole local committee training takes place on site.

Parent are elected for a four-year term.

Neil Yeomans, Chair of Trustees

Neil has recently retired having spent over 30 years working in audit and accounting for one of the largest global professional services firms and was a partner for the last 20 years.  

He has travelled extensively and worked in Australia for 2 years and Poland for 3 years. Neil is a qualified Chartered Accountant and as well as having skills in financial management and control, he has experience in project management, risk management and governance.  

Neil has a number of other voluntary roles, including being a school and college governor, trustee of a number of charities focussed on providing assistance to the vulnerable and isolated and non executive director of a couple of businesses with a similar focus. He also acts as a mentor to university students and business start-up young entrepreneurs. As well as being a Trustee of SFAET, Neil was previously Chair of the Local Governing body for Sanders Draper School.

Tina Murray, Chair of Governors

Tina Murray is a highly experienced and talented Chair of Governors, bringing years of expertise from both the primary and secondary education sectors. Her involvement with Redden Court School began in 2013 when she was appointed to the Governing Body as a Parent Governor. Since then, she has become an integral part of the local community, driven by a passion for giving back and ensuring every child receives the education they deserve.

Tina’s connection to the school is also personal, her son is a successful ex-student who thrived during his time at the school, achieving a high-quality education and a positive overall experience that has served as a foundation for his current success.

Appointed as Chair of the Local Governing Body in November 2017, Tina has been a driving force behind the school’s strategic development. She played a major role in the school's "journey to outstanding," which culminated in the achievement of an "Outstanding" Ofsted rating in 2022.

The school has benefited significantly from Tina’s professional background in Finance, International Banking, and Dealing. This high-level experience allows her to provide oversight of the school’s resources, ensuring that  decisions are financially sound and strategically focused on student outcomes.

Tina is known for her high standards and her willingness to ask the tough questions necessary to maintain excellence. She is deeply passionate about the achievement of all students and consistently drives the school to support every learner, particularly those who face barriers to learning and require extra support to fulfill their potential.

Under her leadership, the school remains fully committed to the ethos of "success for all," ensuring that Redden Court remains accountable to its students, parents, and the wider community.

Tina is well-supported by a very talented team of governors from diverse backgrounds and skill sets. Working in partnership with staff, parents, and students, Tina and her team ensure:

• Accountability: Maintaining transparency in all decisions made for the student body.

• Inclusive Excellence: Providing a platform where every child can reach their full potential.

• Community Reputation: Upholding the exceptional reputation and standards the school is known for. 

Matthew Hollins, Vice-Chair of Governors

Matthew is a Senior Manager within the telecommunications industry, a role that requires high-level strategic planning, robust leadership, and the ability to manage complex operations. Alongside his corporate career, Matthew brings three years of intensive educational governance experience from his time as a professional governor at Southwood Primary School in Dagenham. During that tenure, he served as the Chair of the Resources Committee, where he oversaw critical facility and safety improvements, financial management, and staff governance. 

As a parent of three boys, two of whom currently attend Redden Court and one who will join in the coming years, his focus is entirely centered on enhancing the day-to-day experiences and environment for all our children. His core passions are fairness, equality, and inclusivity, and is dedicated to ensuring these values sit at the heart of our school's culture.

Having seen firsthand how effective governance can transform lives, Matthew brings the following to his role as Vice-Chair:

• Resource and Financial Management: Applying corporate oversight to ensure budget efficiency and facility optimisation.

• School Improvement and Ofsted Readiness: Drawing on his track record of successfully guiding a school through a positive Ofsted transition.

• Strategic Accountability: Holding the school to high standards to ensure every student leaves as a well-rounded young adult with the best possible start in life. 

Outside of his professional commitments and governance work, Matthew is a dedicated father. Matthew has a massive passion for football, which takes up a lot of his spare time. Whether that be supporting the game at the elite level in the Premiership or getting involved in the community through grassroots football, he loves the teamwork, strategy, and community spirit that the sport fosters. 

Simon Dickson, Co-opted Governor

Simon brings a wealth of professional expertise and a deep personal connection to the Governing Board. As a seasoned Project Manager, Simon possesses an extensive understanding of the business and education sectors, and crucially, the vital link between the two.

A long-serving Governor, Simon has been a key figure in overseeing the school’s continued improvements over many years. His commitment to the school is rooted in his experience as a parent, all three of his children attended Redden Court School and have since gone on to lead healthy, successful lives. Simon takes immense pride in his long-standing affiliation with the school and finds great fulfillment in being part of a talented Governing Body that has remained dedicated to the school throughout its journey.

Simon is particularly motivated by the school’s forward-thinking ethos and its high aspirations for every student. He is committed to ensuring the school continues to serve the local community with excellence while maintaining the high standards of success he has helped foster during his tenure.

Areas of Expertise & Strategic Focus: 

• Safeguarding: Serving as the Safeguarding Link Governor, Simon applies his professional expertise to ensure the highest standards of student welfare and protection.

• Business and Education Integration: Utilising his project management background to bridge the gap between academic goals and operational efficiency.

• Strategic Oversight: Monitoring long-term school improvements and supporting the leadership team in navigating the school's ongoing evolution. 

Outside of his professional life and governor duties, Simon is a dedicated family man. Having seen his own children flourish through their education at Redden Court School, he remains passionate about supporting the next generation of students in achieving their full potential. He enjoys being part of a collaborative team and witnessing the tangible impact of effective governance on the local community. 

Jonathan Coles, Co-opted Governor

Jonathan brings over 37 years of experience in Local Government to the Governing Board. Having begun his career in revenues, he now specialises in Benefits, where a significant portion of his role involves providing vital welfare benefits advice to the community. Jonathan’s professional background has given him a deep understanding of local authority frameworks, financial accountability, and the importance of supporting vulnerable individuals.

Having a lifelong connection to the school, first as a former student and later as a Governor, a role he has held since 1992. Jonathan’s journey into governance began alongside his time as an elected Councillor, serving three terms.

Having been part of the school’s journey for over three decades, Jonathan has had the privilege of watching it grow, both in its physical footprint and its academic achievements. Jonathan has seen the educational opportunities for our students increase year on year, and remains dedicated to ensuring the school continues to manage its resources effectively to provide the best possible environment for our young people.

Areas of Expertise & Strategic Focus:

• Health and Safety: Ensuring the school remains a safe and secure environment for all staff, students, and visitors.

• Leadership: Supporting and challenging the school’s leadership team to maintain high standards of governance and strategic direction.

• Financial Oversight: Drawing on local government experience to ensure the best use of available funds. 

Outside of his professional and governor roles, Jonathan is a passionate sports enthusiast. While cricket is his first love, he is a keen follower of a wide variety of sports including athletics, hockey, badminton, and winter sports.

Patrick Maswaya, Co-opted Governor

Patrick brings a diverse professional background to the Governing Board, currently working within the engineering and transport sector. His expertise lies in performance improvement and project delivery within safety-critical environments. With PMP and APMP accreditations, his career has focused on maintenance strategy, human factors, and data-informed service innovation. In addition to his industrial experience, Patrick has a strong foundation in education as a former Associate Lecturer in Further Education. This role allowed him to mentor learners and implement applied learning approaches, giving him a "people-centered" perspective on how students bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world.

Patrick first joined the Redden Court community as a Parent Governor and has since transitioned to a Co-opted Governor. He is deeply committed to the school’s mission of holistic development — academic, personal, and social. On the Board, his primary areas of interest are:

• Careers Guidance: Helping students build ambition and a clear sense of direction for their future.

• Literacy & English: Supporting the development of strong communication skills, which are essential for confidence in any career path.

• Continuous Improvement: Applying a project-management background to help the school navigate operational challenges and optimise performance. 

Away from work and governance, Patrick is a lifelong learner with a passion for research and project-improvement work. Most importantly, he enjoys spending quality time with his family.  Patrick’s career path has been quite a journey, literally! Having worked in both aircraft maintenance and the railway sector, having had the rare experience of being responsible for the performance of both planes and trains 

Latoya Williams, Co-opted Governor

Latoya has been dedicated to the education sector since 2004, and currently serves as a Deputy Headteacher and member of the Leadership Team at an all-through school. Her professional life is driven by a commitment to strategic improvement, with a core remit covering curriculum oversight, assessment, and raising standards across KS3 and KS4. 

Having navigated various governance roles at Redden Court since 2019, initially as a Parent Governor and now as a Co-opted Governor, Latoya offers a unique perspective that blends her professional educational expertise with a deep, long-standing personal investment in this community. Latoya is passionate about ensuring that every Redden Court student leaves us not only with strong academic qualifications but also with the confidence, character, and sense of possibility required to thrive in their future endeavours. 

On the Committee Board, Latoya leveraged her background in school leadership to support evidence-informed decision-making. Her key areas of focus include:

• Curriculum & Assessment: Strategic design and oversight across KS3 and KS4.

• Teaching & Learning: Championing quality, evidence-informed practice, and staff development.

• Raising Standards: Monitoring intervention effectiveness, data analysis, and attainment tracking.

• Accountability: Supporting Pupil Premium outcomes and maintaining Ofsted readiness.

Outside of the school environment, Latoya is a lifelong dancer. Having grown up training in tap, ballet, and jazz, she has kept this passion at the center of her life. These days, her practice spans contemporary, commercial, and fusion styles and still actively performs, which remains a profound source of joy and balance for her outside of her educational commitments. 

Naomi Agbodan, Parent Governor

Naomi brings over 15 years of experience as a teacher and middle leader within the secondary education sector. Her career has been defined by a deep commitment to pedagogical excellence and a thorough understanding of educational policy and assessment practices. By joining the Governing Body, Naomi aims to utilise this expertise to provide both support and constructive challenge, ensuring the school maintains its trajectory of high-quality provision.

Naomi’s work on the Board is driven by two main pillars: Academic Excellence and Holistic Wellbeing.

• Quality of Education: Naomi is particularly interested in the rigour of the curriculum and the effectiveness of teaching and learning practices. She is passionate about ensuring our curriculum remains diverse, inclusive, and accessible to every student

• Mental Health & Pastoral Care: With a specialised understanding of Psychology and mental health, Naomi is dedicated to ensuring the school provides robust pastoral support. She believes that for students to achieve their best, they must first feel safe, supported, and understood.

As a parent with a son currently attending the school, Naomi has a direct personal investment in its success. She is committed to ensuring our school remains a safe, nurturing environment where every child, including her own, has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.

When not focused on education, Naomi is an avid fan of the theatre and enjoys the suspense of a good true crime podcast. She also loves to stay active by exploring new cities and landmarks on foot, discovering the hidden gems that only walking tours can reveal.

Lauren Pearce, Parent Governor

Lauren joined the Governing Body in May 2024 bringing with her a deeply rooted career history in education. Lauren is currently the Executive Headteacher of a Soft Federation of Primary Schools in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. Throughout her career in school leadership, she has developed a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of the UK education system, the complex inner workings of school operations, and the vital role a school plays within its local community. 

As an Executive Headteacher, Lauren holds a wealth of transferable skills that directly align with the strategic requirements of school governance. Lauren’s focus is to support Redden Court on its continued journey of school improvement, ensuring that we maintain a sharp focus on high-quality outcomes. Lauren is fully aligned with the school’s vision, ethos, and strategic direction. 

Lauren’s specific areas of expertise include:

• School Improvement and Strategy: Navigating whole-school development plans and measuring impact.

• Educational Excellence: Driving high standards of teaching, learning, and curriculum design.

• Inclusion: Passionate about changing lives through learning and firmly believe that every single young person, regardless of their starting point, has the ability to achieve their full potential. 

On a personal level, Lauren is a proud mother of two.  Her daughter currently attends Redden Court School and her son has since left for his Post–16 journey.  Both of them thoroughly enjoy their time at the school and fully immerse themselves in the wide array of extra-curricular and academic opportunities on offer. Seeing their positive experiences firsthand is Lauren’s motivation to give back to the school and the wider community that is doing so much to shape her own children's futures. 

Jennifer Asebi-Antwi, Co-opted Governor

Jennifer is a dedicated HR Consultant specialising in the education sector, with a deep focus on employment law. In her professional life, Jennifer manages a personal remit of over 100 schools, providing strategic advice and ensuring robust HR frameworks. This experience brings a wealth of technical knowledge to the Committee, particularly regarding complex staffing matters and regulatory compliance. 

As a Co-opted Governor, Jennifer’s primary areas of focus are Human Resources and Safeguarding. Jennifer is committed to ensuring that our school remains a safe, supportive, and legally compliant environment for both students and staff. Jennifer believes that a school’s greatest asset is its people, and is passionate about upholding the high standards of excellence that our community expects and deserves.

Having lived in the local area for many years, Jennifer is deeply invested in our community’s success. Jennifer chose to become a Governor because she wanted to give back to the neighbourhood she calls home and ensure our local secondary school continues to thrive as a pillar of the community.

Outside of her work and Committee life, Jennifer is a firm believer in work-life balance! She loves spending quality time with her family and friends, whether that be trying out new restaurants or travelling to new destinations. Jennifer is a huge fan of R&B music and rarely misses a good concert. When she is relaxing at home, you’ll usually find her watching a documentary or a reality TV show. 

Nina Parry, Staff Governor

Nina Parry joined the Governing Body in 2024, motivated by a desire to represent the interests of her colleagues and the students we serve. Nina’s career in education spans 20 years, with the last decade dedicated to the Redden Court community. Currently, Nina serves as the Head of the Arts Faculty and Subject Leader for Drama.

Through these leadership roles, Nina has gained a comprehensive understanding of:

• Curriculum Development: Designing engaging and rigorous learning pathways.

• Teaching & Learning: Implementing strategies that drive academic excellence.

• Staff Wellbeing: Understanding the day-to-day experiences and needs of our workforce.

Nina is a fierce advocate for the Arts and practical subjects and believes that creativity is not just a subject, but a vital tool for inclusion. She is passionate about ensuring that every child, regardless of their starting point, has the opportunity to fulfill their potential. As a Staff Committee Member, she aims to be a supportive and constructive voice, bridging the gap between the classroom and the Committee to help shape a bright future for our school. 

Life outside of Redden Court is anchored by her family and her role as a mother of two. Unsurprisingly, her passion for the Arts extends into her personal time. Nina is an avid visitor of theatres and art galleries. Nina also finds balance through travel and exploring the outdoors, whether that is discovering a new city or walking through local nature trails.