Meet the Governors

Frances Millett Chair of Governors.

My name is Frances Millett. I have over 25 years experience of being a school governor. I was a Primary School Headteacher for 17 years in two schools and a part-time OFSTED Inspector for nearly 8 years.

The professional skills I bring to the Full Governing Board are based in a wide and detailed knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning as well as school leadership and management.

I have been Chair of Governors at West Heath Primary School for just over 12 years. I have loved fulfilling this role and being part of the implementation of whole school improvement strategies which mean the children receive an excellent education in the broadest sense. Working alongside the senior leadership team in school has been a pleasure and a privilege.

Apart from being a West Heath Primary School Governor I have undertaken other governance duties, at the request of BCC Officers, in other BCC schools across the city. I pride myself on my thorough approach to all these tasks.

My family live locally In Worcestershire and my two lively grandsons keep me busy. I enjoy walking, swimming, singing, theatre trips, Book Club and attending the local Historical Society monthly meetings.

Michelle Hooper Headteacher

My name is Michelle Hooper. I graduated as a teacher, with a first-class honours degree, in 2000. I gained a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership in 2019.
Following completion of the National Primary Qualification for Head teachers, in 2005, I became a Head teacher. West Heath Primary School is my second headship; first school gained ‘Outstanding’ status.

I am an advocate for a physical activity, strong moral values and a creative curriculum. I am fully committed to ensuring that the children of West Heath Primary School receive an inspiring education. Enabling children to become successful adults is my priority and this means that our curriculum ensures that we encourage all of our children to ‘Be a Star, Shine Bright!’. Values Education, PE and English are my passion!

Lucinda Foster Deputy Head Teacher

My name is Lucinda Foster and I am the Deputy Head Teacher at West Heath Primary. I have been teaching for the past 10 years and have worked in two other schools where I primarily taught in Upper Key Stage Two.

I joined West Heath in 2013 as the Assistant Head Teacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO). In 2014 I became the Deputy Head Teacher and am now responsible for maths and communication in school. I am also currently in the process of completing, along with others in school, my master’s degree where I am specialising in educational leadership.

I am passionate about education and work hard to ensure that all children achieve their best when at school.

Barry Hunt

My name is Barry Hunt. I have over 50 years of experience working in the construction industry in supervisory and management positions. For the last 20 years I have been employed within Birmingham City Council’s building services initially within the councils Building Control Division and more recently as a manager within Acivico Facilities Management. I am a family man with broad experience of children’s issues gained from interaction with my own children and grandchildren over 4 decades. I became a school governor of West Heath Primary in May 2016 to support the school through the school new build project. I bring a wealth of professional and life skills to the role of governor which I have found to be a highly rewarding, if challenging, experience.

Tracey Lawton

I have over 25 years of experience in education, with a particular passion and specialism in early years. I have been proud to serve on the governing body for more than 10 years, bringing my knowledge and commitment to help support the school's continued development. As a long-standing member of the local community, I have a strong connection to the school-not only professionally, but personally too, as three of my younger children attended the school. I remain dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for all pupils and to helping the school thrive at the heart of our community.

Sarah Robbins

My professional background is in social work with children and families. After eleven years as a local authority social worker I moved to the voluntary sector. My current role is as Chief Executive Officer of a community organisation in Sparkhill providing services to children and families. I have extensive knowledge and experience of safeguarding and child protection, looked after children, family support and early help. I am the safeguarding governor.

My children attended West Heath Primary School and remember their time fondly. They are now young adults and I am pleased to have been associated with the school for fifteen years.

Grace Wight
Hello, my name is Grace and I work at the Environment Agency as a Senior Team Leader within flood and coastal risk management.

I’m motivated to make a difference and get the best out of others. In my career, I’ve held management and leadership positions - I’ve created high performing teams and led teams through change. I have also held project and programme management roles where I managed multi-million pound flood risk management schemes and delivered community engagement programmes across Hampshire, Essex, and the West Midlands.

I find being a governor at West Heath incredibly rewarding. I love the opportunities to make a valuable contribution to our children, young people, teachers, and school support staff. I’m on the Finance, Facilities, and Personnel committee, and the Safeguard committee.

I’m enjoying utilising and growing my skill set in another sector, and gaining the foundations and insight required to pursue a career in the education sector in the future.

Outside of work and governance, I’m a keen runner and traveller.

Dr Amanda French
Over the last 35 years I have taught in higher, further, adult education and the voluntary sector in the West Midlands. I started my career in 1986 as an English and Literacy teacher in further education and over 16 years in FE I worked in partnerships across a wide range of settings and agencies including schools, community centres voluntary and community groups, as well as colleges and universities. I have taught students and trained teachers, tutors and support workers from a variety of organisations, including probation, employment services and the voluntary/ community sector and taught English, Basic Literacy, Education and Early Years. I have also worked in the third sector as a Regional co-ordinator in Skills for Life for national education charities, The Workers Education Association (WEA) and the National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education (NIACE). I have had a long interest in Family learning and was involved in a number of parent –partnership initiatives across the city during my time in FE and the WEA.

In my current role at Birmingham City College as Head of Department I have developed and managed a suite of Masters in Teaching and Learning and Educational Leadership programmes, which is delivered to NQT’s in schools across the West Midlands. I also manage an International and Taught Masters in Education. The majority of students on the latter route are in-service teachers and managers. I therefore have a good working knowledge of teaching in schools and the challenges faced by many teachers in terms of their practice and professional development .

On a day to day basis I manage a wide range of staff and work closely with them directly to develop their teaching and professional development and have delivered on BCU policies with regard to staff performance, performance review, reward and recognition that have ensured my team deliver high quality teaching and supportive learning.

As a Reader in Teaching and Learning, research and scholarship are fundamental to my integrated approach to teaching and learning. Indeed, access to a dynamic, research informed curriculum, is I believe, a basic student/ pupil entitlement as such I am firmly committed to teaching and learning experiences that encourage and facilitate knowledge making rather than knowledge reproduction. I have a particular research interest in child-centred research and have, over the years, carried out a number of projects with teacher and pupils.

On a more personal note I was a parent governor for several years when my children attended over 20 years ago at Colmore Primary School. I very much enjoyed the experience and have been looking for an opportunity to get involved again in this capacity. My work with the West Heath management team a few years ago convinced me that it is a school reflects with my own interest in equality, diversity and inclusion, social justice and maximising educational possibilities for all children.

Elizabeth Chan

My name is Elizabeth Chan. I am a self-employed Life Coach and Virtual PA. I have previously worked at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital as a PA/Medical Secretary for over 10 years and have worked in London in a more supervisory capacity. I have an interest in project management and have passed PRINCE2 Foundation. I live in the local area and have a child that attends West Heath Primary School.

In my personal life, I love trying new experiences and activities, especially things that are bit outside my comfort zone in order to grow and develop to being the best that I can be. I enjoy singing and used to sing in the Church Choir as well as the staff choir at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. I like doing arts and crafts, as well as visiting the theatre. I enjoy walking, ice skating and swimming.

I have a keen interest in education for all children to enable them to grow and develop to achieve their highest potential. I believe wellbeing, both physically and mentally, is very important in both children and adults. In my role as Governor, I am part of the Safeguarding Working Party, as well as the SEND Link Governor.

Tom Brett Parent Governor

Hello! My name is Thomas Brett and I serve as the Parent Governor at West Heath. As a dedicated parent and active member of our school community, I am committed to supporting the educational and developmental needs of all our students. I have 16 years of experience in education and currently work as a senior leader in a secondary school with responsibility for Behaviour, attitudes and school ethos. Therefore bring a wealth of knowledge and an alternative perspective to the West Heath governing board.

Throughout my career, I have led within curriculum, teaching and learning , student conduct, attendance along with being a designated safeguarding lead. As a Physical Education teacher, I am passionate about the subject and its immense value to all students. I believe that PE promotes not only physical health but also essential life skills such as collaboration, resilience, and personal development.

I am enthusiastic about fostering strong partnerships between parents, teachers, and the school staff to create supportive and collaborative relationships.

My goal as an educator and governor is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and personally. I look forward to working with everyone to make West Heath the best it can be.

Rhian Thompson

My name is Rhian Thompson and I am a Co-opted Governor. My 40-year professional background is across many sectors which includes the Civil Service, charity world and finally in education. In my varied career I have led teams, managed budgets and motivated both staff and volunteers.

I take a personal interest in my granddaughter’s education and welfare in this ever-changing world and value the importance of the best education children can have.

I have previously worked with West Heath on a professional level as a Governance Professional and fully appreciate the level of commitment and dedication the whole team dedicates to the education and wellbeing of all its pupils and staff.

As a governor I am not afraid to challenge and contribute to what may be difficult decisions governors have to make in order for the school to drive school improvement and oversee the school’s financial position to ensure funds are well spent. My governor responsibilities are to monitor Attendance and Pupil Premium spend. Both are extremely important in ensuring pupils succeed both academically and overcome challenges to learning.

On a personal level I continue to support my husband in his 40-year career as a Chartered Surveyor, volunteer in the local community village shop, look after my granddaughter and travel when possible.

Vijay Muralidharan

Vijay is working with Deloitte in their Finance Transformation practice and brings close to twenty years of relevant experience and specialization around finance, enterprise risk management, project management domains. He has deep experience in leading large complex engagements across multiple sectors in identifying possible process improvements, automation solutions within the processes and building robust control framework across functions. Much of that experience involves having discussions and presentations to key management personnel including Audit Committee and Board. He enjoys steering the entire delivery end-to-end and the technology fan in him enables to speak the same language as the business. This helps formulate business cases and capture the right requirements that make a difference.