Governors
The key role of the Governing Body is to ensure that the School achieves the aims and ambitions it has for the children. Governors 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.
Governing Body Members
| Name | Type of Governor |
|---|---|
| Mr Ras Ghani | Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor |
| Mr Habib Rahman | Vice-Chair of Governors, Co-opted Governor |
| Mr Usman Khan | Co-opted Governor |
| Mrs Anita Moore | Co-opted Governor |
| Mr Shahban Ali | Parent Governor |
| Mrs Naima Mustafa Sharif Mohammed | Parent Governor |
| Mrs Sylvia Fry | LA Governor |
| Dr Sarah Allen | Co-Headteacher |
| Mrs Nikki Hemming | Co-Headteacher |
| Mrs Shazia Choudury | Staff Governor |
Also see:
- Governor Committees and Interests – 2023/24
- Governor Meeting Attendance – 2023/24
- Consolidated Instrument of Governance
If you wish to contact the governors, please do so in writing via the school office.
Governor Profiles
Mrs Sylvia Fry
LA Governor
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.
Mrs Anita Moore
Co-opted Governor
I am delighted to have joined the school governing board.
I work for St. Paul’s Community Development Trust, based in the Venture, delivering play services for children and well-being activities for adults in the community. I love working for the wonderful children and families in Balsall Heath and have done so since 1988. The Trust has a long history of working in partnership with Clifton school and I am really pleased to be able to continue this as the role of a school governor.
Mr Habib Rahman
Co-opted Governor
I have lived in Balsall Heath for my entire life. 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 most of my nephews and nieces. I started work at 16 as an Engineering apprentice with British Leyland and its many guises since, now known as Jaguar Land Rover, working there as an engineer in various capacities for almost 40 years.
As a previous Chairperson and Governor of Joseph Chamberlain Sixth Form College, my involvement with the local Neighbourhood Forum and Seven Streets Residents Association, I feel I understand some of the challenges 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 support the school to meet these. And most importantly, continue to help and support the school in giving the best possible start to our children and to ensure achieving educational excellence remains at the top of the school agenda.