Local Advisory Board

What is a Local Advisory Board (LAB)?

The Orchard and Shepherdswell Local Advisory Board is the local tier of governance of East Midlands Academy Trust, and it acts as a sub-committee to the Trust Board. Members of the Local Advisory Board as known as Governors.

The key roles of the LAB are:

To offer proactive support and constructive challenge to the Headteacher
To advise the board of trustees about local issues they need to consider that affect the academy.
To ensure that EMAT vision, mission and values are evident throughout the Academy
Represent the local community.
Represent the Academy in its community.

These roles translate specifically into the following tasks:

ensure that all children receive the best possible education
ensure safeguarding is effective
support the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team in the development and implementation of the School Development Plan and other relevant plans,
ensure the implementation of Academy policies.
regularly review the Academy’s performance.
oversee and monitor the effectiveness of local strategies
act as a key link between the Academy, parents, and local community.
support the work of the Academy in the community.

The LAB’s role is not to manage the Academy as such. This is done through the Board of Trustees. Therefore, the LAB is not required to take decisions on staff or financial matters affecting the Academy.

Governors at the LAB will gain an understanding of strategic issues that impact on the Academy and will be updated on them regularly by the Headteacher, but they are not required to have direct responsibility for them. Instead the LAB should be in a position to assess the impact of the Academy locally; how it is contributing to the local community, how it is relating to local families and how it understands local issues. This in turn, will enable the LAB to contribute effectively to decisions which may require LAB involvement.

The LAB is drawn from the staff of the school, parents and the wider community that the school serves. The usual term of office for a governor is four years but many members of the LAB stand for re-election and serve more than one term. Members of a LAB need to take a full and active role in fulfilling the role assigned to them by the Board. This will include regular visits to the Academy and attending up to six meetings per year.

To contact any of our governors, please email governance@emat.uk

Here is a list of our current governors

Name	Position
Zoe McIntyre	Executive Headteacher Orchard and Shepherdswell
Deepika Sargur Prasad	Parent goveror Shepherdswell
Zaiba Rehman	Parent Governor Orchard
Kirsty Weatherspoon	Staff Governor Shepherdswell
Chris Akpakwu	Co-opted Governor
Riyike Duru	Co-Opted Governor (Chair)
Bekky Salako	Co-Opted Governor

Meet our governors
Chris Akpakwu

Chris is an experienced business leader and human resources professional with extensive experience in banking, project management and human resources, specialising in business transformation, M&A, employee experience and leadership development. He is a Chartered member of the CIPD and an alumnus of the University of Sunderland Business School. He enjoys supporting young people with access to early careers as a mentor for the Social Mobility Foundation.

Chris is a parent governor with two children at Orchard and is looking forward to bringing insights and experience to support Orchard & Shepherdswell values and maintain high standards

Riyike Duru

Riyike is a strategic and analytical professional with experience within fashion and hospitality industries. Riyike specializes in forecasting, analysing data and developing key business insights to guide decision making and strategy development. Riyike has a BSc from Northampton University and MBA from University of Sunderland.

She is passionate about advocacy for children leading her to be a youth mentor and now a governor within EMAT. Riyike lives within Milton Keynes with her husband and daughter where Orchard and Sheperdswell Academy are located.

Kirsty Weatherspoon

Kirsty is an Early Years specialist teacher and has been working within the sector including KS1 for over a decade. During this time, she has been a both a team leader and manager of an Early Years setting where she enjoys teaching young children and instils valuable hands on learning experiences. This helps the children make sense of the world around them - thus building strong key foundations as they begin their educational journey.

She has an Early Years teacher qualification (EYTS) and is very much looking forward to obtaining her Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) this year.

Having previously run a pre-school which was charity owned and part of the committee she ensured the smooth running of the Early Years setting. She is also a member of a local carnival committee who are dedicated all year round to organise and co-ordinate a fun packed family weekend out every summer.

Kirsty is currently a Reception teacher at Shepherdswell Academy and joined in August 2022. She is also part of the school PTA.

Deepika Sargur Prasad

Deepika is an IT professional with over a decade of experience in the life sciences industry. Her career has been marked by a client-facing role where problem-solving and effective communication are paramount. One of Deepika's greatest natural strengths is her approachability. She believes that being open and accessible is key to fostering a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

Beyond her professional life, Deepika has a deep passion for working with children, a passion that dates back to her university days when she ran summer camps. These camps focused on arts and crafts, providing a creative and engaging environment for children. Driven by a passion for bringing positive change to society, Deepika is committed to contributing to an educational environment that supports and nurtures every student.

Bekky Salako

Bekky's journey is defined by her unwavering commitment to supporting families and young people. After working as a contractor in West Africa from 2011 to 2016, she sought greater fulfilment by transitioning into social work. This move empowered her to support families professionally.

Bekky holds several certifications and degrees, including:
- BSc in Industrial Relations and Trade Unionism
- BSc in Social Studies
- BSc in Social Work
- MSc in Children and Adolescent Mental Health Wellbeing
Current Role: Bekky is a Senior Social Worker with Hertfordshire Children Services, passionately working with vulnerable families and young people. Her role is guided by safeguarding principles and the Children's Act.

Community Involvement: In 2023, Bekky became a school governor with EMAT, a role that has been both child-focused and community-focused. She has gained valuable insights into collaborative efforts aimed at benefiting children and the community. Bekky hopes to advocate for the needs of vulnerable children and promote a holistic approach to education that includes mental health and well-being. This shared learning experience aims to build a cohesive and knowledgeable governing body.

Bekky's dedication to making a positive impact is evident in her commitment to these responsibilities. She is driven by her passion for effecting positive change and making a meaningful impact in her community. Bekky hopes to continue to effectively manage her dual responsibilities, making a meaningful impact in her community and supporting vulnerable families and children.

Zaiba Rehman

A dedicated and insightful School Governor with a BA in Psychology and CIPD Level 3 certification, Zaiba brings a wealth of knowledge in human behaviour and organizational development. Having studied and lived in India before moving to the UK in 2013, she brings a rich, multicultural perspective to her role, enhancing her ability to engage with diverse school communities. Motivated by a strong desire to give back to society, she joined the school’s governing body in 2024 to make a meaningful contribution to education.

Her expertise in psychology equips her with a deep understanding of emotional and social dynamics, which she applies to support student well-being and staff development. Her background in HR through the CIPD qualification allows her to contribute to effective governance in areas such as policy development, staff relations, and strategic planning.

Zaiba has also experience working in sales and customer service for BP Pulse, Capita and Card Factory. With a passion for making a positive impact, she is committed to helping the school thrive by using her skills to foster a nurturing and supportive learning environment for both students and staff.