Governance

Catherine has worked extensively with vulnerable children including those with SEND and EAL. She has managed and led on inclusion and safeguarding in numerous educational settings. Catherine currently volunteers at Samaritans and is undertaking a PhD in education.

Ghufran has worked in education for over 23 years and is currently Assistant Headteacher at a local secondary school. He has previously worked as a Governor for over seven years at a neighboring primary school, having held roles such as SEN Link Governor, Chair of the Finance and Vice Chair of Governors. As a resident within the local area (and a parent of a child at Ark Victoria) Ghufran understands the determination of every parent to see their child fulfil and exceed their potential. He hopes to play an important role in further strengthening the link between the school and its local community, including local places of worship.

Touria finished her academy learning in Morocco, once here in the UK she got a Level 3 in Community Interpreting, GCSE English and passed her Level 4 Certificate in Higher Education Business Skills in the Workplace with a merit. Touria is a member in the PTA at Ark Tindal Primary Academy and is delighted whenever she is part of any activity at school where her two daughters are studying.

Muna is an experienced Foster Carer with years of expertise in nurturing children. Muna has a strong commitment to education and has been actively involved in various community programmes and initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of education. Muna has a deep personal connection and understanding of the academy and is motivated to serve as a governor to contribute to the continued success and development of the school, ensuring that all students receive the best possible education and support.

Rebecca has been a teacher at Ark Tindal Primary Academy for 7 years. She is the English Lead and is passionate about supporting children in their literacy journey. Rebecca is keen to take part in governance and see school from a different perspective and help to make decisions.

I qualified as a teacher in 1988 and came to work at St. Paul’s Community Development Trust in Balsall Heath, I was initially employed to develop educational activities on our lovely city farm for all the schools in the local community. I soon got involved with all the amazing community events and holiday playschemes for the local children and families. I have had experience of deputising for the children’s centre manager which has enabled me to learn all about supporting families with children under 5, I have managed the volunteer scheme, helping many adults into work as a result and thoroughly enjoyed raising money to ensure children’s play remains in the heart of what we do in Balsall Heath.

I am now a senior manager for the out of school services and for the well-being services for adults in the community, as well as being the lead for safeguarding across the Trust and delivering training creating new DSLs and making sure all the teams are fully aware of current changes in child protection. I am passionate about children having fun, learning to the best of their abilities, having choices in life and growing up to have great self-esteem, to recognise their individual talents and to have equal opportunities; they can achieve all this when they feel safe and are supported by us all.

Mohan brings a blend of senior educational leadership and national public service experience. Having held strategic roles in secondary schools as a Senior Assistant Headteacher, he has led improvement, accountability and student outcomes at whole-school level. He now works in the UK Department for Transport as a Policy Manager, strengthening governance, risk management and stakeholder relationships. As a parent with strong links to local education, Mohan is deeply invested in the success of young people. He is motivated to serve as a governor to provide thoughtful challenge, strategic insight and a strong bridge between education, families and the wider community.

Dr David Officer was born and raised in Birmingham and currently teaches A Level Psychology and Sociology at Ark St Albans, Highgate. He has a PhD from the Politics Department at Queens University, Belfast and a PGCE from Bristol University in Citizenship Education. David has taught Sociology at a wide range of universities in the UK and abroad including Metropolitan University, City University (London), Hertfordshire University and the University of Nicosia in Cyprus. He has also worked in community and citizenship education in Northern Ireland, adult education in London and coordinated a wide variety of EU funded projects focused on Education, inter-ethnic conflict and the politics of memory.

Sue has been a teacher in inner city Birmingham schools for the whole of her career and so is aware of the issues that face families in Birmingham with regards to education. Before Sue retired, she was vice principal at Ark St Alban's Academy and for the two terms before becoming an academy, acting headteacher. Sue has also worked with Teach First helping to improve the teaching of those young people joining the profession. Retirement has allowed Sue to be a governor at Ark St Alban’s where she was the link governor for Safeguarding and, later as SEND link governor. Recently, Sue has moved to Ark Victoria where she is the link Governor for secondary teaching and learning.  She has also taken on the link Governor role at Ark Tindal monitoring personal development.  Sue is an active member of the LGB ensuring she visits the academy regularly to have a clear picture of what is happening, particularly in her areas of responsibility.  Sue has an interest in all kinds of sports as a participator (netball and basketball), spectator (football, cricket, rugby, and speedway) and administrator (netball and basketball). Sue feels proud to state that she manages all the basketball finals organised by the Basketball Superleague.  The highlight of her sporting interest was working at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 where she interviewed prospective volunteers, auditioned candidates for the drama and dance sections of the opening and closing ceremonies, managed a commonwealth team at these ceremonies and then worked at one of the sporting sites for the remainder of the event.  This experience has led Sue to volunteer at many major sporting and community events.