Trust Board
The trustees of our board are a group of volunteers who have collective accountability and responsibility for the trust, on behalf of members.
The board of trustees delegate the majority of operations to the Executive Team/employees but they meet regularly to oversee vision, strategy and policies and maintain overall control of the legal entity of the trust.
Our trustees ensure that our academies, provisions and services perform well, in line with the trust vision to achieve the outstanding education and high quality care of children and young people with complex needs.
The Astrum Trust Board currently has a number of sub-committees;
- Finance, Audit and Risk
- People and Services
- Pay
- Quality of Education
Each of the committees has ‘terms of reference’ (set/approved by the full trust board), an elected chair and alongside link visits, they meet at least termly. Each chair feeds back to the board of trustees during full trust board meetings.
The Quality of Education Committee specifically links to our local advisory board(s) of governors, the Schools’ Committee’, and the chair of the schools’ committee is a member of the Quality of Education committee of trustees. These committees have a particular focus on governing safeguarding, pupil wellbeing and pupil progress/outcomes.
All of our trustees undergo enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS), identify and other relevant checks prior to appointment. They undertake annual safeguarding and prevent training, alongside other induction and professional development courses. Trustee training and development is facilitated through our clerk/governance professional.
Our Trustees
Davide Cason - Trustee (Chair) - Trusts & Business
Membership - 22.05.2019 - 10.10.2026
After 15 years working as Operations Manager and Director in various companies in the Rep. Of Ireland and the UK, Davide became an entrepreneur in the Hospitality, Foodtech, QRS (quick restaurant service) and Coffee industries to businesses seeking to expand into the franchise market. Davide was an MBA Students Mentor from 2015 to 2022 at Bayes Business School in London and holds a Bachelor in Political Science and a Master in Business Administration (MBA). Davide joined ASTRUM in May 2019 and is currently Chair of the Trust Board.
Davide joined Astrum because he was inspired by a John Fitzgerald Kennedy quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
Lara Parr – Trustee – CEO
Lara Parr is an experienced special school leader with significant SEND expertise. She has worked for over 20 years within a number of special schools across East London, beginning as a Learning Support Assistant and working her way up through the roles of teacher, school leader, Headteacher and now Chief Executive Officer of Astrum. Experience has ranged from pupils aged 2 to post-19 but always working to support pupils with complex learning difficulties and disabilities. Lara has a variety of post-graduate qualifications, including most recently the National Professional Qualification in Executive Leadership (NPQEL) through the Institute of Education, UCL. She is currently a member of a number of professional networks who represent CEOs and special school leaders and also attends local partnerships, panels and board meetings, alongside professionals from organisations such as Health, Social Care and parent advocacy networks from a desire to work collaboratively to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people with additional needs within the local area.
Ann Garrard - Trustee & Member - Trusts and Education
Membership - 27.09.2017 - 01.09.2025
My background is within education. I trained as a primary school teacher and worked full time until my son was born. His disabilities took me way from the classroom, though I continued to teach part time, and this led to my involvement with school since 1985. This has evolved from being a member of the PFA, a parent governor, a co-opted governor and finally a Member and Trustee of Astrum MAT. At various times I have been Chair of the PFA, Chair of Newbridge Governing Body and Chair of the Astrum MAT Board.
Back then, after my son became an Ethel Davis student, it soon became obvious that many decisions affecting our students were made arbitrarily and I became involved with the voluntary sector and working in partnership with the London Borough of Redbridge. Currently I am a Trustee of Disability Redbridge, involved with Ilford Shopmobility, a Trustee of Redbridge Council for Voluntary Service, with a particular involvement and interest in issues affecting children and young people. My involvement as a voluntary sector representative includes working with the Children’s Centres, being a member of the Redbridge Local Safeguarding Partnership’s Learning and Improvement sub group and the independent member for children and young people of the Redbridge Health and Wellbeing Board. Most recently I am now pat of the HAF steering group.
I continue to work for the neighbouring London Borough of Barking and Dagenham within the alternative education service. As a Home Tutor I work with students who are unable to attend school for extended periods due to health issues. I specialize working with SEND students and an important aspect of my role is supporting parents and carers.
I am very fortunate in having a strong support network from both my immediate family and our extended church family. For relaxation I read a lot and enjoy as much gardening as time permits.
Mylène Curtis – Trustee – Education & SEND
Membership 11.10.2024-10.10.2027
Mylène has over 20 years’ experience as an executive director in specialist education provision. She was the Managing Director and Founder of Fleet Education Services Ltd a leading British education service provider which provides tuition services for schools and local authorities with a focus on SEN. After selling the company to the Supporting Education group in 2918, she joined the SLT team there and continued to lead Fleet for a further six years. She also previously served as a non-executive director and founder of the Tutors Association, Britain's professional and not-for-profit body representing the tuition industry. Mylene’s passion is for the difference that specialist education makes in the lives of children and young people with SEN. She has joined the Astrum board in order to support the MAT's commitment to delivering personalised, high quality SEN education and expansion in this crucial area.
Emilio Chiquito – Trusts & Legal
Membership – 16.09.2020-15.09.2024
I am a Senior Derivatives Negotiator, SME and Project Manager with extensive experience gained in several Tier-1 Global Investment Banks.
I carry a unique combination of legal skills, project management experience and technological capability all of which were gained on demanding and complex engagements.
I have worked on numerous regulatory remediation projects on behalf of a leading Tier 1 US Investment Bank, including UMR (VM&IM), MiFID II, and Brexit programmes.
Well versed in dealing with a wide range of clients from analyst to senior level, I quickly develop good relationships with stakeholders in order to achieve regulatory compliance.
Sarah Mighall (FCIPD) - Trustee - HR
Membership - 09.05.2021 - 08.12.2024
Sarah brings over 15 years HR management and leadership to the Trust Board, gained across multiple sectors. Sarah is passionate about attracting, developing and engaging talent to drive performance.
Natalie Morrison - Trustee - Housing & Young People
Membership - 09.12.2020 - 08.12.2024
As a Criminologist and Prison Officer, Natalie is passionate about prioritising mental health in schools. Astrum Multi Academy Trust's vision and commitment to empowering children and providing opportunities for effective learning and social interaction is inspiring. The trust's dedication to supporting pupils with complex special educational needs and disabilities in Redbridge and beyond is commendable. Education goes beyond the classroom, and the trust's commitment to improving educational standards and achievement gives pupils the best possible start in life.
Tarek Elalfi – Trustee – IT & Procurement
Membership – 11.10.2024-10.10.2027
As a dedicated volunteer and trustee, I believe in the transformative power of education. My background in IT and Co ntract Management equips me to contribute effectively to the trust’s success. Passionate about fostering positive change, I am committed to ensuring every student thrives within the educational ecosystem.
My Daughter was a pupil here at Newbridge School many years ago before moving to Heaven, she was very happy here as were we with the school and the teaching. I am hoping to give something back to the school and the students at the academy.
I have been a school governor since 2015 at Mayespark primary school becoming Vice Chair of Governors at my 2nd meeting in 2016 and then co-chair before leaving in 2023 to become a trustee at Astrum MAT.
I envision a trust that empowers students, nurtures talent, and promotes inclusivity.