Toni has an honours degree in Physical Education with Qualified Teacher Status with a specialism in Dance. She also has a Masters degree in Subject Leadership in Education. Following a period of teaching both in Luton and Hertfordshire, Toni joined Luton Borough Council in 2002 as the Active Schools Manager where she provided support to schools in relation to Physical Education and oversaw the two School Sports Partnerships that operated in Luton. In her role as Director of Learning & Skills at Active Luton, Toni manages the schools team, the training team and the Luton library service. She is also commissioned by the Local authority to provide support and advice to schools with regard to Physical Education and Educational visits. Toni was involved in the opening River Bank Primary school. She is a member of AfPE (the Association for Physical Education) and the OEAP (Outdoor Education Advisors Panel) and is the Chair of Governor of a Luton High School.

I've worked in Finance and Procurement over the last 9 years for various private and listed companies. The majority of my career has been spent in Procurement and more recently focused on Technology categories. I’ve spent my career maximising costs and getting the best value, assessing commercial risks, performance management and building strong collaborative relationships, all skills I’d like to bring to support to River Bank Primary. 

 Outside of work I enjoy travelling the world, often backpacking to explore and learn about new cultures and sights. I’m a keen motoring enthusiast and spend my free time going to car shows and watching Formula 1 and enjoy running and cycling to keep fit. 

Having been an educator for over forty years Marie firmly believes that a great education is the right of every child. Her passion is ensuring that the most challenged children in terms of life chances get the best education possible so that they have the world of work opened up to them and they can succeed against all the odds. Her track history as a teacher is that of ensuring the disadvantaged children she taught succeeded in their Key Stage 2 SATs so that they could flourish in the next stage of their education. As a Literacy Consultant she worked with those school with the lowest results to raise their standards in English. That work was successful. She led on a four year project called ‘Spotlight on Standards’ which resulted in the overall standards at Key Stage 2, in Luton, rise year on year. On gaining the School Improvement Partner qualification she extended her range of work to whole school improvement. She has helped to guide schools from Ofsted Special Measures judgements to Ofsted Good judgements and has helped them sustain that standard over time. More recently she chaired an Interim Executive Board for a Secondary school while it transferred into a Multi-Academy Trust. Currently, Marie is a Director of Oideachas Limited a company that provides school improvement support for schools.

Hena has a background in Human Resources and is a Senior HR Business Partner for a school improvement provider.  With years of dedicated service in education, including roles within a multi-academy trust, Hena’s journey is rooted in a profound commitment to enhancing educational outcomes.

She is extremely passionate about making a difference and that every child deserves the right to the highest quality education, ensuring they have access to the best opportunities available.  

Outside of work Hena enjoys spending quality time with her family whether it’s exploring the great outdoors on walks or unwinding with movie nights. 

Lawrence has an honours degree in Leisure Management and has amassed almost 30 years leadership and management experience in the leisure, sports, fitness and wellbeing sector.  Lawrence is now the CEO of Active Luton, a community wellbeing, not for profit charity. 

Lawrence is passionate about supporting people to improve their wellbeing with a particular focus on children’s health.

Lawrence brings a wealth of board room experience from a range of voluntary positions with community minded organisations and is excited about supporting Active Education Academy Trust/ River Bank Primary School.

Arfeen brings nearly 25 years of experience working in schools to her role as Parent Trustee. Her previous roles include working as a Nursery Nurse, Outreach Family Worker, High-Level Teaching Assistant, Adult Tutor, and currently, a Family Worker, which have provided her with a deep understanding of the educational landscape. 

Her current role involves organising clubs, adult courses, parent workshops, family trips and safeguarding.  

As a trustee, Arfeen aims to engage parents, improve the lives of children and young people, and make a meaningful difference in our community. She believes that by building professional skills and networks, we can create an environment that fosters collaboration and growth.