Community Council

Welcome and Introduction to our Community Council

The Trust governance model recognises that Community Councils are, whilst a full and formal part of the governance structure in line with the Trust’s Articles of Association, wholly advisory bodies who focus on:

○ The ethos and values of the school

○ The ambition, appropriateness and effectiveness of the school’s curriculum for its children

○ The wellbeing of pupils, families and staff

This year as a school we have a renewed focus on literacy, both reading and writing, and also a focus on well-being for pupils, staff and our families.

Community councillors are a much valued group of volunteers that play a crucial role in our school offering challenging but positive and proactive support to the Principal and Senior Leadership team on behalf of the children and community that the school serves. They know and celebrate the strengths of the community that the school serves alongside holding the highest aspirations and expectations for our pupils. 

Community councillors are appointed from current parents, staff and pupils alongside committed individuals from the wider community. Councillors have an interest in the education and wider opportunities offered by the school to all pupils and have some free time to give to supporting the school in giving our children the very best education and experiences. 

If you are interested in finding out more about The Hyde’s Community Council, please contact Siân Morris, Headteacher or Amita Raval, Chair of Community Council.

We are currently looking to recruit up to two additional community councillors to join our Community Council. Ideally this will be someone from the local community who can work with the school to further develop our provision for pupils. If you are interested in working with us, please contact Siân Morris, Headteacher or Amita Raval, Chair of Community Council.

Community Council Profiles 2024-25

Amita Raval (Community Councillor / Chair)

Amita Raval, is a retired Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist. She worked forthe Health and Educational Services for over 25 years. She is also a Justice ofPeace (JP)/Magistrate and sits on the Adult and Youth Crime Benches. She was appointed to The Hyde as a Foundation Governor in December 2013. Atthat time she was also a Chair of Governors at another local school. She was the Vice Chair of the Hyde Governing Board until 2021/2022, when the Governing Body was changed to a Community Council. She has been the Chair of Community Council since September 2022. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, walking, swimming, yoga and pilates. Shealso loves travelling.

Charmaine Ashpole (Parent Councillor / Vice Chair)

As a Parent Community Councillor, my youngest child attends the Hyde, and is in Year  5, whilst my second, eldest child has “just flown the Hyde nest” to Secondary School.  The Hyde’s nurturing environment has set both  up for their future life adventures. I’m passionate about “Branching Out” (Hyde School theme for 2024-25 , creativity and All of us becoming our best selves through collective collaborative community creativity.  

I describe as “partially-blind” and “partially-deaf,” since sudden illness in 2018, at which time my eldest child was in Reception at the Hyde, and my youngest was not yet a pupil at this wonderful school,but would join Nursery in the next school year.  The Hyde teachers and staff were incredibly  kind and supportive during this difficult t time for my family and I.  Since then we have had our challenges, but have flourished as part of the Hyde community, and I was pleased  to become a councillor in 2021. 

I would ask all children, parents and carers to introduce themselves to me if you see me walking around school with my white cane (remember, you can see me but I can't see you, but would be glad to talk to you!) I volunteer for a number of charitable campaigns, both  digitally and in person, and am learning to read Braille, and I’m even typing this profile on a Braille keyboard!   I’ll be very pleased to meet you! 

Sambrah Sayeeda (Parent councillor)

My name is Sambrah, parent of a year 6 student. I have been in The Hyde Community council since last year and it has always been my greatest interest to be its member as a Parent councillor. Besides the full time job I do, I have taken this opportunity to learn more about the school and to work with the school’s vision by promoting the school’s values. I have always enjoyed and learned from the discussions we had in the Council meetings. All members of the council are friendly and phenomenal and we exchange a great deal of ideas about the community.

Anna Charalambous (Staff Councillor)

I am a class teacher and Lead practitioner at The Hyde. This year at The Hyde School I am teaching in Year 5 and I also lead The Saturday Project which is a provision we offer to our children and Parkfield School. It is externally funded and the learning is child-led.

Currently, I am in my 20th year of teaching and have taught across all of Key Stage 2. 

I am passionate about the education, welfare and the mental wellbeing of children.  I strive to ensure that they are given every opportunity to succeed and grow into well-rounded individuals who flourish and reach their full potential.

Community Council Annual Summary