Governors

Thank you for visiting the website of Clifton Primary School.

You will see the wonderful examples of how our children learn and achieve high standards in all they do, as well as general information about all aspects of school life.

Children are at the heart of any community and Clifton Primary School has been serving the Balsall Heath Community since 1878! The school has a wonderful track record of absorbing all the changes which occur and responding to such changes with expertise and enthusiasm. Ambitions have always been high – children respond well to the challenges and opportunities they are given and this was recognised by the School being graded as 'Good' by Ofsted in 2019.

In a recent survey of parents (2019) their views were very positive - 99% of parents agreed with the statement 'my child is taught well at this school', 96% agreed 'my child is happy at this school' and 96% agreed 'my child feels safe at this school'.

We have now concluded our major building programme which gives an excellent environment for learning in the widest possible way. We hope that we will be able to use these buildings to further develop parental and community involvement, supporting our children as they grow and mature into active, healthy and confident young people.

It is both a challenge and a privilege for me as Chair of the Governing Body of the School. The key role of the Governing Body is to ensure that the School achieves the aims and ambitions it has for the children. We do not take part in the management of the school, but work in partnership with the Headteacher to ensure that:

• The school continues to raise standards for all children, whatever their level of ability.
• The curriculum provides for and stretches all the children and that there is also a wide range of other activities for children to enjoy, including dinnertime clubs and after school activities.
• The right staff are employed, who are also encouraged to continue their own professional and personal development.
• The school is managing the funding it receives well, ensuring that good value for money is obtained and that systems are in place to account for the spending of the whole budget.
• The children have a good learning environment - with buildings and equipment that help teachers teach and pupils learn.
• Children are kept safe, including meeting statutory health and safety requirements.
• Parents’ views are listened to and taken into consideration in all decisions and that parents are kept informed of school issues.

In order to do this important role, Governors are expected to:

• Attend a full Governing Body meeting every half term – this is usually in the evening.
• Take an active involvement in the school – either by being a named governor for a topic area, or by working with the Headteacher in specific areas of the school.
• Keep up-to-date with developments in education, including attending training events.

Although the role of a Governor is voluntary and therefore is not a paid role, expenses such as childcare and travel costs can be claimed. Our routine meetings are usually held in the evening, but other activities are within the school day. When there is a vacancy for a parent governor, an election process is undertaken, when all parents of a child at Clifton Primary School may vote for their preferred candidate.

If you are interested in participating in this way please contact me through the School Office.

Mr Habib Rahman
Chair of the Governing Body

Governing Body

Name	Type of Governor
Mr Habib Rahman	Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor
Mrs Rabia Afzal	Co-opted Governor
Ras Ghani	Co-opted Governor
Mrs Nasheima Sheik	Co-opted Governor
Mrs Sylvia Fry	LA Governor
Mr Shahban Ali	Parent Governor
Mrs Naima Mustafa Sharif Mohammed	Parent Governor
Mr Nick Lambert	Headteacher
Mrs Shazia Choudury	Staff Governor
Sadim Garvey	Associate Governor
(vacancy)	Associate Governor

For more information, see:

• Full Governor Committees and Interests
• Governor Attendance Records - 2019/20
• Consolidated Instrument of Governance

If you wish to contact the governors please do so in writing via the school office.

Governor Profiles

Rabia Afzal

I have lived in inner city Birmingham for the best part of my whole life. Having gone to a local primary, secondary, sixth form and university, I feel very strongly about this city and the young people who we have a duty to serve. This pursuit of mine brought me to teaching.

I am very passionate about education and reading in particular. Having worked in an inner city school for the full duration of my career, I am aware of the challenges that our children and their families face. That said, I fully recognise that all those barriers and challenges can be overcome by great schools that provide great provision.

Such provision was at the forefront of my mind when I became the Head of English. During my time in this role, I was successful in raising attainment in a school where 80% of the students were FSM/EAL or in many cases both. By keeping high quality teaching and learning at the centre of all our endeavours we raised standards from 60%, 83%, 83% and 85% in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. Now a senior leader in the same school, I am keen to work with our feeder schools in closing the attainment gap sooner, so that the young people in Birmingham can have better opportunities in life, become great citizens who value this city and in turn give back to their community.

Sylvia Fry

I am proud to be a 'Brummie' and appreciate the education which my husband and I, my sons and grandchildren have all received in local schools. My working life was spent in the NHS - including being a night nurse at the Birmingham and Midlands Women's Hospital in Sparkhill and a Health Visitor in Sparkbrook and Tyseley. For the last 15 years, I held management posts in South Birmingham Community Trust, and retired as the Director of Nursing and Community Care in 2000.

I was aware of the regard Clifton School was held in by the community and was pleased to become a Governor in 2000, and then Chair of Governors from 2001. I was also Chair of Trustees of Chinnbrook Family and Community Project from 2005-2016. I am also the Volunteer Organiser of the Hall Green Carers Group and a volunteer at St Peter's Day Centre for Elders.

I have been a National Leader of Governance since 2012, working with the Governing Bodies of other schools. In this capacity, I chair the Interim Executive Board of Al Furqan Primary School.

In my spare time, I am a volunteer for the charity 'Schools for Gambia'. On my working visits to schools and health clinics funded through the 'Clifton Community' I am constantly impressed with the fundraising activities undertaken by our 'Clifton Community', to support ongoing education and child health. In return, I am able to bring back ideas for community and parental involvement at Clifton Primary School.

Habib Rahman

I have lived in Balsall Heath for the last 45 years. All of my immediate family has a long standing history and connection with the area and the school; I went to Clifton School as a child, as did my four children as well as my 17 nephews and nieces. I started work at 16 as an Engineering apprentice with British Leyland and still work there as a Design Engineer with what is currently known as Jaguar Land Rover.

As a previous Chairperson and Governor of Joseph Chamberlain Sixth College, my involvement with the local Neighbourhood Forum and Seven Streets Residents Association, I feel I understand some of the ups and downs faced by local people. In my role as a Clifton School Governor, I hope to voice the needs and priorities of the local community and challenge the school to meet these. And most importantly, continue to help and support this school remain outstanding in providing the best possible start to our children and to ensure achieving educational excellence remains at the top of the school agenda.

Nasheima Sheikh

I have had a passionate attachment to Birmingham since arriving here in 1980 to undertake a degree at the University of Birmingham. I’ve worked in Birmingham all my life, with jobs in both the voluntary and public sector. At Birmingham City Council, I worked in the Social Service Department, ultimately heading up its Training and Development Unit. For fifteen years, I was Assistant Chief Executive at Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid. This experience has given me insight into the many issues faced by Birmingham citizens and children, as well as the City itself.

I have also led an active voluntary life, being on the Board of the Digbeth Trust, participating in Sparkhill Central Neighbourhood Forum, and through the ‘Save Sparkhill Pool’ group, ensuring that our Leisure Centre was rebuilt. Currently I am Vice Chair of Sampad, a South Asian Arts and Heritage organisation based at MAC in Cannon Hill Park.

I’ve lived in Sparkhill for over 20 years. My son attended Clifton School and I was Parent Governor then. Much has changed since and I have witnessed how well the School has responded to the challenges it has faced. I hope to assist this process as a Governor and ensure our children are given the best education and start in life.