Parent/Carer Trustee Election - March 2026

Dear Parent/Carer,

Isleworth & Syon School – Parent/Carer Trustee Election (March 2026)

Recently, we requested nominations for the vacant Parent/Carer Trustee position. The number of nominations received exceeds the number of available vacancies, which means that an election will now take place.

You are receiving this email as you are entitled to vote in this election. This is because you are listed as a contact with parental responsibility at Isleworth & Syon School.

The voting process and timeline are detailed below. You will also find a copy of personal statements from the four nominees as well as a link to a ballot paper if you do not wish to vote electronically.

How To Vote 

• There are two vacancies.
• Each parent may only cast one vote, irrespective of how many children on roll.
• You may vote for one candidate only. 

When casting your vote, you will be asked for your unique voting code - sent via email - to ensure that each parent/carer has only one vote.

You can vote by electronic ballot or by paper ballot.

Voting by Electronic Ballot

You can cast your vote via the secure electronic voting paper, sent via email. 

Voting by Paper Ballot

You can cast your vote by either: 

• Printing the paper ballot yourself via this link.
• Telephoning the school to request a paper ballot.
• Emailing the school to request a paper ballot.
• Sending a message with your child for them to collect the paper ballot. 

The paper ballot will be blank; you will need to write your unique voting code on to the sheet for your vote to count. The ballot should be returned to the main reception.

Deadline

 The deadline for all electronic votes or returned ballot papers is by 5.00pm on Thursday 19 March.

 Ballot Count 

• The vote count will take place on Friday 20 March 2026.
• The school will record the number of votes issued and returned but at no stage will anyone record or attempt to discover how individuals have voted.
• The Co-Headteachers are the returning officers, and an independent member of staff will also be present to witness the process.
• The election will be decided by a simple majority of votes cast. The two individuals with the highest counts will be elected.
• Should there be a tie, there will be a recount and if this still results in a tie then a name will be drawn out of a hat.
• The number of votes cast for each candidate will be recorded and all records kept on file for six months.

 Election Results

The outcome will be communicated to all concerned by the end of Monday 23 March 2026. Should you have any questions in the meantime, please contact the school.

Yours faithfully,

Simon Fisher and Jo Higginbottom
Co-Headteachers 

***

The Role of a Trustee

 Trustees play a strategic role in the governance of the school. Their key roles and responsibilities include: 

• Defining the vision, fostering the trust’s culture and setting the strategy
• Overseeing policies to achieve those aims
• Providing robust and effective oversight of trust operations and performance
• Providing support and constructive challenge to the Co-Headteachers in their role as a ‘critical friend’. 

Personal Statements 

Alison Benjamin

As the parent of a Year 7 student, I have really enjoyed becoming part of the Isleworth & Syon community since September and getting to know the school. Working with and for young people for over 25 years has shown me how energising and inspiring their curiosity can be. Supporting them to develop the resilience, ambition and creativity they need to reach their potential has always motivated my work. This commitment aligns strongly with the school’s values, and I would welcome the opportunity to support its ongoing success as a Parent/Carer Trustee.

Professionally, I bring extensive experience from the youth and charity sector, including my current role as Director of Fundraising & External Relations at a national youth charity. I also serve as a Trustee of two youth charities and of an international welfare charity supporting families in need.

Through my Trustee roles I have helped organisations navigate financial and cultural change, strengthen safeguarding and oversight, and maintain a clear focus on high-quality services for young people. I have also served on governance committees including finance, audit, and programme delivery, working closely with CEOs and senior teams to enhance outcomes, impact and long-term resilience.

As part of the Senior Leadership Team in my current youth charity, I contribute to shaping strategy, scrutinising performance and supporting good governance across a national network that supports over 60,000 young people each year. This includes improving long-term planning, strengthening data-informed decision-making and building organisational effectiveness, all important elements of effective school governance.

As both a parent and a trustee, I would bring curiosity, rigour and high expectations, together with the perspective of someone who wants every boy to leave our school confident, independent and ready for the future. As a Trustee, I would support the school’s ambitions while ensuring the parent voice remains part of the conversation. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute and help ensure every boy is able to thrive.

Belinda Larby

As a parent of three boys who have attended, or are currently attending, Isleworth & Syon School, I feel a strong personal connection to the school and its continued success. I am keen to contribute meaningfully to its future direction while ensuring the parent voice is represented at board level.

In my role as School Business Officer at Marllborough Primary School, I lead on administration, communications, marketing and policy processes. This gives me practical insight into school operations, compliance, and governance structures. I work closely with senior leaders and governors, which has given me insight into how the board supports school leadership and makes strategic decisions for the benefit of pupils.

I am currently completing a Diploma in School Business Management, further developing my knowledge of finance, procurement, marketing and operational leadership. Prior to this role, I served as Chair of the Parent Association for eighteen months, which deepened my appreciation of community engagement and the value of partnership between families and school leaders.

Although I have not previously served as a trustee, I am fully committed to undertaking any training required to be effective in the role. I would bring both a parent’s perspective and professional insight, and I am motivated to contribute positively to the Academy Trust Board so that the school continues to provide high standards, strong outcomes, and a supportive environment for all pupils and families.

Hawwa Mbombo

With over 21 years of experience in education — I am deeply committed to supporting high‑quality provision for children and young people across our community here in the Borough of Hounslow.

I bring extensive governance experience, having served as a Governor at Eden Girls’ High School, Slough (an Outstanding academy), and at Date Palm Primary School (an Outstanding Independent school), where I contributed to the school achieving its first Outstanding Ofsted rating. In December 2025, I was appointed to the London Borough of Hounslow’s Board of Education to represent independent schools, further strengthening my understanding of local educational priorities and strategic oversight.

I hold the NPQH (2023) and am nearing completion of my Senior Leadership Level 7 apprenticeship (a precursor to my MBA apprenticeship), and I am fully committed to ongoing training to ensure I remain an effective and informed governor.

I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to Isleworth & Syon’s governing board by bringing strategic insight, strong accountability skills, and a deep commitment to ensuring that all pupils—regardless of their background—receive an education that enables them to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Lavinia Helen Pashley-Wilkins

As a qualified primary teacher, I have predominately spent my working life around preschool/primary aged children and have taught at schools within the London Borough of Hounslow. By way of taking a more proactive interest in secondary education when my son joined the school, I have been an exam invigilator at Isleworth & Syon since 2024.

As a parent, I have seen first hand how the robust curriculum, clear directives and opportunities that are offered to my son by being part of this school community are shaping him for the future. I have served as a staff governor during my career and have held a seat on The Blue School, Isleworth, board since 2013, chairing the committee in that time. It’s a voluntary role I am passionate about which is why I wish to be considered for the vacancy at Isleworth & Syon.

As a proprietor of a preschool in Richmond, I am aware of the challenges faced by the education sector currently, especially the nationally low numbers and the ongoing threat of closure for schools. I would be proud to offer my time as a trustee, should I be successful, in support of the co-headteachers, SLT, current and future families. I am committed to taking on further training and relish the opportunity to expand my knowledge regard secondary schooling as deemed necessary by the board.