Governors

Chair of Finances 

About Me:

I am a Trust Governor. I have the responsibility for Finance Committee in school. I have been a governor here since September 2016.

Work:

I am currently a Finance Manager at Inspired Thinking Group, a Marketing agency based locally. I have working in various finance positions throughout my career and have a varied experience and skillset across many sectors.

Governance Experience:

Aside from my time at The Pines, I have also had experience of dealing with thorough Financial Audits throughout my career which looks to scrutinize and question leadership and management. I try to bring this to every meeting I attend.

Why did you become a governor?

Other than looking to broaden my own skillset and abilities through new sectors, I also feel it is my duty as a parent to uphold the standards of all educational institutions and ensure every child receives the best education possible. It would be my hope that the same standards The Pines upholds are present at my child’s school.

Hobbies and Interests:

I love spending time with my family and spend as much time as possible building Duplo towers with my little boy.

Resources Committee and Outcomes Committee

About Me:

I am The Headteacher at The Pines. I have the responsibility for liaising with the governors at all points ensuring that they are aware of the successes and areas for development within school. As such I am a member of the Resources Committee (Finance) and the outcomes committee. I have been a governor here since September 2016.

Work:

All of my working career has been in Special Education. My background is in Special Education. I successfully began my teaching career in 1998 at an MLD school in Sutton Coldfield, and then moved to a broad spectrum school in Coventry as Assistant Head, progressing to Deputy. Before joining The Pines, I was a Head Teacher in an independent SEMH school in Warwickshire. I am firmly committed to providing high quality provision for pupils in Birmingham with a diagnosis of Autism and the challenge of growing the school into the new building and becoming an all age provision as being an exciting one for The Pines.

Governance Experience:

As well as being a governor at The Pines, I have recently become a governor at a mainstream school, as I feel that joint working is an exciting venture and one in which Special provision and Mainstreams can benefit from. I am also looking to further develop my own skill set as I have not worked in a mainstream since completing my training…. many moons ago.

Why did you become a governor?

I think The Pines School is an amazing school and I am proud to be part of the staff and Governance team here. My role on the Governing Board is to largely be the link between school and the Governors.

Hobbies and Interests:

I enjoy having the opportunity to read a good book and have love going to the theatre. My family are also really important to me as is spending time with them and doing things together.

Outcomes Committee and Health and Safety Governor

About Me:

I am the Deputy Head teacher of The Pines School and was Co-opted onto the board of governors in September 2019. I have the responsibility for health and safety and am a member of the outcomes committee.

Work:

All of my working career I have been in education. I first worked at The Pines School as a teaching assistant before going to university to train as a teacher. I then went on to teach in a four form entry mainstream school progressing to Assistant Head with responsibility for inclusion before re-joining The Pines School.

Governance Experience:

I have been an observer on the board of governors since I started my role as Deputy Head teacher and felt that now was the right time to become more involved in the decision making process. Why did you become a governor? Working at The Pines School is both challenging and rewarding, no two days are the same! Being a member of the board of governors means I can extend my role further and work alongside the staff and governors to continue to provide the best education possible for our pupils.  

Hobbies and Interests:

As much as I can I love to go travelling with my family, the hotter the better. I enjoy reading and watching football, especially my team Everton. My extended family are very important and I travel to Liverpool as much as I can to visit them.

Resources Committee, Outcomes Committee and Headteacher's Performance Management

Resources Committee, SEND and Secondary Link Governor

About Me:

I am part of the Resource Committee and also occupy the SEN Link Governor role and the Secondary Education Link Governor Role. Both my link roles involve me working alongside & supporting staff in these areas. I have been a governor here since October 2017.

Work:

My professional background is in nursing, l am proud and passionate to have worked (and continue to work) as an  NHS nurse for the past 20 years. I am also the  Special Needs Link Nurse for the ward l work on.

Governance Experience:

I have no previous governors experience but had a valuable insight to the governors role as my husband had previously been a parent governor at The Pines School.  This gave me a greater understanding of what the role entailed & the commitment required be an effective governor. I completed  the Governor Induction Programme which further developed my knowledge & understanding  of being an effective  governor.

Why did you want to become a governor?

I firmly believe strong governance is a key component to a successful school , as a parent governor I bring a parental perspective to the governing board applying a proactive, influential,  decisive approach  aiming to achieve the very best opportunities and  outcomes  possible for every child at The Pines School.

Hobbies and Interest:

I love a good book, good coffee and challenging myself ! I'm actively involved as a volunteer with Special Olympics and am the Welfare Officer for the Special Olympics Ski West Midlands Group. Completing the Dublin marathon to raise funds for Special Olympics City of Birmingham has been one of my greatest achievements. My newest challenge is learning to ski.

Resources Committee and Secondary Link Governor