Trustees (ID 1052)

• Marilyn Hodges
  Chair of Trustees
  Marilyn Hodges

  I began my involvement with our Trust when it was first established in 2007, bringing together 3 former Maidstone schools. At that time I was a Director for Kent County Council (KCC), responsible for Strategy, Policy and Performance of Kent’s 650 schools and children’s social care. Part of this role was establishing the Kent Academies programme and I became a Trustee for FST, which I continued after semi-retirement. I am currently Chair of the Board of Trustees (sometimes called Directors) and lead on safeguarding. I am very proud of the progress our schools have made in recent years, achieving some of the best outcomes in Kent. I regularly meet groups of students and never fail to be impressed by them. I passionately believe that for children to achieve academically we have a moral duty to care for all of their needs and wellbeing as best we can, whether that be helping them to develop resilience for growing up in a changing world and the challenges of social media, being healthy including mental health or providing support for those that live in difficult circumstances. I also believe education can be the key to change lives for the better and our teachers do an amazing job.

  After retirement from KCC I worked part time supporting developments in children’s services across the UK, including as a Chair of a Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. I am also a Trustee for a local charity, Young Lives Foundation, which supports vulnerable young people. I have had the privilege to work, albeit for short periods, in different communities and countries and learn from those experiences. I have taken groups of teachers to work in townships in South Africa and volunteered in a rural school and orphanage in India. For the past five years I have worked reviewing safeguarding in schools, both in the UK and abroad mainly for the independent sector, and recently worked in Vietnam, Thailand, Chile and Brazil

  When I am not working I love to spend time with my family and five grandchildren. I am a keen gardener, enjoy long walks with the dog, and am an avid reader. I endeavor to practise yoga regularly, although my good intent isn’t always matched by action. I taught yoga when I was young and know it is a real benefit if you can be disciplined to practise.

• Judy Rider
  Vice-Chair of Trustees
  Judy Rider

  I am delighted to be a Trustee at Future Schools Trust, having worked in different roles in education for over 38 years. I am a passionate and experienced educator with a vast body of knowledge of schools.

  I grew up in a very working-class family and was the first in my family ever to take A levels, and to go on to university. I firmly believe that education and learning can transform lives and hold the key to successful futures for all our young people…and older ones too!

  In my time I have been privileged enough to be a Headteacher of several secondary schools, an Executive Principal of a very challenging secondary school, and a CEO of a small Multi Academy Trust with a Higher Education sponsor. I have also worked for the Local Authority in an education role.

  As a parent of a child with significant Special Educational Needs, and another child currently in secondary education, I understand only too well the immense challenges and pressures that our young people often face in school and in the wider society particularly with social media at the forefront of their minds. As a Trustee I believe my role is to ensure our schools at FST provide the best opportunities for our young people to be inspired and positively encouraged to be the best they can possibly be all within a caring, safe, and nurturing environment.

  It is great to be working alongside other committed and talented Trustees and Governors – all working in a voluntary capacity – to provide support, challenge, and guidance to our talented team of senior leaders led by our passionate CEO.

  I am continually inspired by the many young people, academy leaders and staff, that every day embrace the opportunities put before them to create our wonderful learning communities at FST.

• Simon Cook
  Trustee
  Simon Cook

  Simon is an experienced senior leader and is the Principal & Chief Executive of MidKent College.

  His passion for what education and training can do to change lives, communities and economies started in 2000 when he first trained as a teacher. Prior to this he had a successful career as a chef, travelling around the world working in luxury hotels and Michelin star restaurants.

  Simon is an advocate for the communities of Maidstone and Medway through various trustee roles that he undertakes.

• Sam Haspell
  Trustee
  Sam Haspell

  Sam is an experienced Senior Leader within the Criminal Justice arena as well as a Chief Executive for a local Charity. She has over 20 years safeguarding experience and is passionate about the safeguarding of children and young people. Sam also delivers training and works with organisations as a consultant reviewing policies and processes, identifying good practice and areas for development.

  Sam has 4 children and has been a parent within the trust for over 17 years.

• Mike O'Brien
  Trustee
  Mike O'Brien

  Mike has spent 17 years as a Civil Servant, beginning his career as a forensic scientist before moving onto more policy focussed positions on Whitehall.

  He have worked on a broad range of HM Government priorities and gained experience of policy formulation, strategic oversight, operational delivery and international diplomacy. Although Mike doesn’t come from an educational background, he hopes to be able to offer an alternative perspective on the Board, drawing on lessons from his professional experience to support and challenge the Trust.

• Jane Thomas
  Trustee
  Jane Thomas

  I am honoured to be a Trustee for Future Schools Trust. I am passionate about children being able to access an education that meets their needs, in a nurturing and inspiring environment. I have worked in the charity sector for 14 years and am currently Director of Services for a Kent based charity that works with over 30,000 adults and children a year in Kent ranging from information and advice services to fun activities for children and older adults. Although not from an education background I hope my experience of charity governance, policy development, bid writing, management and leadership, safeguarding, health inequalities and my knowledge of local community resources will be of benefit to the trust. I am Mum to 3 grown up daughters who I love spending time with. I enjoy keeping fit by attending Pilates and other fitness classes at a local leisure centre and walking my dog whatever the weather.

• Prudence Ejakhegbe
  Trustee
  Prudence Ejakhegbe

  Prudence is an early childhood practitioner with over a decade of dedicated experience in early childhood education. She has been a pivotal figure in shaping the nurturing and educational environments that support the foundational years of children's lives.

  She has worked in various educational settings, including nurseries, preschools, and childcare centres, with a specialisation in child development, early childhood education, curriculum planning and implementation, inclusive education, and parent and community engagement. She has relevant training and qualifications in early childhood education and leadership and management in education.

  Her roles have spanned from classroom educator to lead practitioner, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the needs and challenges faced by both children and educators in the early childhood sector.

  Prudence strongly believes that all children, regardless of their background or abilities, have access to high-quality early learning experiences. Her efforts in parent and community engagement have strengthened the bonds between educational institutions and the families they serve, fostering a holistic approach to early childhood development.

  Prudence is honoured to be a trustee for Future Schools Trust and aims to leverage her extensive experience to support and guide the vision, ethos, and strategic directions that reflect best practices and promote the highest standards of care and education for children and young people.

  Prudence is a mum of two boys and loves spending time with family.

• Jane Saffell
  Trustee
  Jane Saffell