Governor Profiles

Michael Hand

Chair of Governors

I am Professor of Philosophy of Education and Director of Postgraduate Research at the University of Birmingham. I chair the Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain and edit the IMPACT pamphlet series and the Bloomsbury Philosophy of Education book series. I’m a qualified primary teacher and taught at two Birmingham primary schools in the 1990s.

My youngest son currently attends Kings Heath Primary and my two older sons are ex-pupils at the school.

My expertise in educational theory and my experience in educational leadership enables me to make a distinctive contribution to the work of the Governing Body.

Term of Office: 19 June 2019 — 18 June 2023

Committee Membership: Finance, Staffing and Premises; Teaching, Learning and Curriculum

Beth Bishop

Co-Opted Governor

I was elected as a parent governor in December 2014. I have two young children at KHPS. Our family really like this happy, vibrant and inclusive school. I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to its ongoing provision of an excellent school experience.

I currently work part-time as a Research Manager for an organisation that conducts research and evaluation for the public sector. I have also worked for the National Audit Office, assessing the effectiveness of government spending. Before that, I did a PhD looking at schooling in a remote area of Tanzania.

Term of Office: 17 July 2019 — 16 July 2023

Committee Membership: Finance, Staffing and Premises

Claire Spencer

Local Authority Governor

I am one of the three councillors for Moseley & Kings Heath ward, and work part time managing communications for the West Midlands hub of the Climate-KIC project, a cross-Europe effort to support innovations that tackle climate change. I also Chair Community Energy Birmingham, a society for community benefit which enables people to invest into renewables in their neighbourhoods. In the past I worked for Future First, a charity which works with schools to build alumni networks. Using communication tools to engage people in what is happening around them and empowering them to shape their world is a key theme in my working life, as is working to ensure that the city works as a partner to tackle its social, environmental and economic issues.

I have been a governor at Kings Heath Primary for two years, and work as part of the Safeguarding committee to ensure that the young citizens of Kings Heath Primary are safe and happy, and can go on to lead the lives that they dream of. The students recently worked extensively with Sustrans to suggest changes to the streets around the school to make them safer and more child-friendly, and I am working with the Council and Sustrans to ensure that the changes are made.

Term of Office: 17 December 2018 — 16 December 2022

Committee Membership: Safeguarding and Inclusion (Chair)

Michelle Naven

Staff Governor (Co-Opted)

I am currently a class teacher at Kings Heath Primary School; I have had successful experience in teaching across foundation stage, Key stage 1 and Key stage 2 in my 8 years at the school. Prior to this had 11 years’ experience as a Special Schools assistant, Teaching Assistant and Learning Mentor. I have always been passionate about education. I share a love of learning with the children in my care. I enjoy inspiring children to reach their potential, knowing that I have played my part.

I am aware that each school is set itself in a wider community. It is essential as a teacher to have an understanding of the community which the school serves. Being educated and employed within Birmingham, I experience delight in extending my understanding of diverse ways of life. I actively seek opportunities to demonstrate respect for the wider community by being an active member of the school governing body, regularly meeting parents and supporting extra-curricular clubs. I believe that a school’s place in the wider community should be reflected in the school ethos and curriculum. Education is about giving children the life skills which prepare them for the wider world.

Term of Office: 1 September 2019 — 31 August 2023

Committee Membership: Teaching, Learning and Curriculum

Liz Holmes

Governor

I was elected as a parent governor in early 2018 whilst my eldest daughter was in Reception. My younger daughter will also join the school in 2019. I was excited to get elected as it meant I could support the excellent teaching staff at the school in their endeavour to delivery high quality education to all pupils.

My background is many years working directly with, and academic study of children and adults with autism, and I currently run behavioural programmes for a company specialising in applied behaviour analysis. I have a keen interest in ensuring staff are supported in their work with pupils with special educational needs.

Term of Office: 19 March 2018 — 18 March 2022

Committee Membership: Teaching, Learning and Curriculum (Chair); Safeguarding and Inclusion

Additional Resposibilities: Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Link Governor

Penny Colbourne

Co-Opted Governor

I am a parent of two children who have flourished at Kings Heath Primary School; the youngest continued on to a local community secondary school, whilst the eldest achieved her A-Levels at a local sixth form.

I have been a Governor of the school for over 12 years, and during that time, I have worked hard to support Senior Leaders through changes and developments in education, both locally and nationally. I am proud to have been Chair of the Governing Body for the majority of that time and have worked on committees focusing on the curriculum, standards of achievement and school finances and staffing. I have also served as a Governor at Swanshurst School and fully support the local partnership of primary and secondary schools working together to improve outcomes for all children in the Kings Heath/Moseley Community.

Term of Office: 1 September 2019 — 31 August 2023

Committee Membership: Teaching, Learning and Curriculum; Finance, Staffing and Premises

Becky Way

Staff Governor

Committee Membership: Safeguarding and Inclusion