Reddal Hill Primary School Governing Body

Welcome to the governors area of the school website.  Here you can find out more about who we are and the work we do.

School governors are people who want to make a positive contribution to children’s education.  Each individual governor is a member of the governing body.  The governing body is collectively responsible for ensuring the school delivers a high quality education.

Our School Governors

Mr. Chris Harris (Chair)

Local Authority Governor

Special Responsibilities:

- Safeguarding/ Child Protection Governor (including Filtering and Monitoring and Cybersecurity)

- Safer Recruitment Trained Governor

- Pupil Premium

- SIP Priority 4: To diminish the gap between the attainment of girls and boys in maths

I applied to be a Governor at Reddal Hill whilst my child was at the school and was appointed in March 2019. I was appointed as Chair in September 2020.

I have been working in the Engineering/Manufacturing sector within the West Midlands for the past 12 years. During this time I have been involved in many business functions such as business management, continuous improvement, engineering, production, procurement, project management and quality and bring this experience in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to my role as a governor at Reddal Hill Primary School.

 

Mrs. Ann Bashir-Pugh

Headteacher

Since joining Reddal Hill Primary School in September 2018, I have been committed to supporting our children, families and staff in every aspect of school life. Before taking on my current role, I served as a Deputy Headteacher at a school in Dudley, gaining valuable leadership experience that continues to shape my practice today.

I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Bachelor of Education (Hons) and went on to achieve the Postgraduate Certificate: National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination. These qualifications have strengthened my passion for inclusive education and my belief that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Working at Reddal Hill Primary School is a genuine privilege. I take great pride in bringing the curriculum to life, supporting our families, and, most importantly, encouraging our children to be the very best they can be academically, socially and emotionally. 

 

Mrs. Massarat Ali

Co-opted Governor

Special Responsibilities

- Health and Safety Link Governor

- Attendance

- Priority 2: To improve the attendance and punctuality of all pupils, in particular, pupils in KS2    

I joined the governing body as a parent 20 years ago.  My children are no longer at Reddal Hill, so I am now a co-opted governor. I am chair of the Premises Health and Safety committee and responsible for phonics this year.  I visit the school as often as possible and have worked with three previous headteachers and will continue to support our present headteacher.

 

Mr. Phil Wears

Co-opted Governor

Special Responsibilities

- Staffing and Finance Chair

- Sustainability Governor

I have been on the governing body of Reddal Hill primary school for many, many years, initially as an LEA governor but more recently as a co-opted Governor. I have been its Chair in the past but am currently Chair of the governing body's staffing and finance committee, and the governor responsible for maths.

My background is a degree in environmental sciences, followed by a professional qualification in town and country planning, and working in that for many years in several local authorities. I have experience of applying law and policies to problems, decision-making procedures, working with other stakeholders, and public consultations.

 

Mrs. Stella Gardner
Co-opted Governor

Special Responsibilities

- SEND

I became a school governor in September 2025 after retiring. I have worked as a (self-employed) children’s therapeutic counsellor since qualifying in 2012. My work has taken me into many different schools in the West Midlands and also in the North East. I am passionate about helping children to express themselves through the use of art, creativity and play. Reddal Hill was the final school that I worked in. I see this is a nice way of keeping in touch with the team here and helping to support their work.

Prior to qualifying as a counsellor, I had a 30-year career as a Housing Manager working in Manchester and in the North East. I was a team leader with responsibility for housing service provision and staff management. This included budget management and service planning. I also worked as an independent person for some Local Authorities, dealing with assessing complaints about Local Authority councillors. I hope that this varied experience will help to support the school.

 

Mr. Syed Muhammad Abdullah

Co-opted Governor

Special Responsibilities:

- Member, Finance & Staffing Committee

I joined the Governing Body of Reddal Hill Primary School as a co-opted governor in December 2025. I am a Chartered Accountant (ACA, FCCA) with over 12 years’ experience working across finance, audit, and governance roles within professional practice and public-interest organisations.

In my professional career, I have extensive experience in budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, and risk management, and I am keen to use this expertise to support the school’s financial sustainability and value-for-money decisions. As a member of the Finance and Staffing Committee, I work with fellow governors and school leaders to help ensure strong financial governance, effective use of resources, and sound decision-making that ultimately supports pupils’ learning and wellbeing. I am passionate about education and committed to contributing positively to the school and wider community.

 

Mrs. Lisa Mason

Co-opted Governor

Special Responsibilities: NA

I went into secondary teaching in 2003, having previously taught in Further and Higher Education. The move to secondary education has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made as it has given me the opportunity to have a greater impact on the lives of young people.

I have worked at Ormiston Forge Academy since its inception in 2012 and became Principal in 2019. Prior to this, I worked in the predecessor school, The Heathfield Foundation Technology College, as Assistant Head with responsibility for the Sixth Form and Key Stage 4 outcomes, and as a Teacher of mathematics.

I am the Designated Safeguarding Lead at Ormiston Forge Academy and I sit on a number of Sandwell Children’s Safeguarding Partnership groups: Education Interface Group, Safeguarding Priority Group, Harm Outside the Home and the Child Sexual Exploitation Priority Group.

 

Ms. Awa Saine 
Parent Governor

Special Responsibilities

- To increase the achievements of pupils in writing

- Data Protection Governor

 

Mrs. Samina Kosar
Parent Governor

Special Responsibilities

- Priority 1: To increase the number of pupils working at the expected level in Phonics in EYFS and KS1

 

Miss. Jocelyn Mensah
Parent Governor

Special Responsibilities: NA

 

Mrs. Emma Phipps (HLTA)

Staff Governor

Special Responsibilities

- Wellbeing Governor

I have worked at Reddal Hill Primary School since September 2007 and I currently work in the schools SEND provision 'The NEST', which is a Structured Learning Environment for pupils with neuro-developmental needs, and is based within the EYFS department. 

I have worked in all key stages during my time at Reddal Hill. I have planned and delivered intervention groups as well as whole class lessons. I have trained and supported children with speech and language needs and I also complete Wellcomm assessments and implement interventions for this when needed. 

I have recently successfully completed a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) qualification and am currently looking into completing a course to further my knowledge and understanding of pupils with SEND. In the future I plan to complete my foundation degree and eventually achieve my end goal in becoming a class teacher.

I am always willing to learn and take part in training to further develop my knowledge and continue to help the children of Reddal Hill.

 

Mr. John Stokes (Assistant Headteacher)

Co-opted Governor

Special Responsibilities

- Training and Skills Governor

- OPAL Programme Governor

I have worked at Reddal Hill Primary School since April 2005. I am an Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for maths and assessment, and I am also one of the Year 6 teachers.

Prior to working at Reddal Hill, I worked at another Sandwell school, having been born, brought up and educated in Sandwell. I enjoy working with the pupils at Reddal Hill as I was inspired to succeed by the education I received in this authority and I hope that the children I teach will be inspired, by me, to reach their full potential.

 

Mrs. Hayley Rogers (Assistant Headteacher)
Associate Governor

I joined Reddal Hill Primary School in January 2019, as an Assistant Headteacher. My responsibilities across the school are writing and behaviour, including attendance, and leading high-quality teaching, learning and pedagogy in KS1.  Prior to joining Reddal Hill, I was a Key Stage Leader in a school in Dudley.  

I have always been truly passionate about working with children and feel that they all have the right to a good education. I hope that at Reddal Hill I can instil a love of learning for all children and encourage them to feel happy and safe. 

 

Mrs. Tracy Whitehurst (Assistant Headteacher)
Associate Governor 

I joined Reddal Hill Primary School in April 2020, as an Assistant Headteacher.  Prior to this role, I was a Key Stage Leader at a school in Dudley.  My responsibilities are: reading lead, coordinating the teaching and learning in Years 3 and 4, Pupil Premium Champion and Pastoral Lead, providing appropriate support across the school. 

I am passionate about teaching and learning, relating proven pedagogy to support pupils' learning journeys.  Watching them progress and noticing the 'spark of understanding' is the most rewarding aspect of my job.   

I hope that at Reddal Hill, I can inspire all pupils to reach for the stars, achieve their personal and academic goals, develop socially and emotionally, and be ready for the next stage of their learning journey through to adult life.

 

Mrs. Kerry Beard (Assistant Headteacher)
Associate Governor 

I have worked at Reddal Hill Primary School since September 2008 when I joined as a Newly Qualified Teacher.  I am now an Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for EYFS and Inclusion.   

I graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Bachelor of Education (Hons) and went on to achieve the Postgraduate Certificate: National Award for Special Educational Needs Coordination. The programme has strengthened my understanding of statutory responsibilities, inclusive practice, and the graduated approach, enabling me to lead SEND provision with greater confidence, clarity, and consistency across the school.

As an Early Years Leader, I am passionate about providing high-quality first teaching in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, ensuring every child receives the best possible start in life and a strong foundation for lifelong learning, where all children are supported to achieve their full potential.

 

Who can become a school governor?

Anyone aged 18 or over and living in the UK can become a school governor.  The most important qualities for being a governor are enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in education.  Training is available for all governors who wish to develop their skills with the aim of raising school standards.

Categories of Governors

There are four different categories of governors at Reddal Hill:

1.    Parent governors (parents of children at the school)

2.    Staff governors (members of the school staff)

3.    Local authority governor (nominated by the local authority and appointed by the governing body)

4.    Co-opted governors (people appointed by the governing body on the basis of their skills and experience)

Governors are appointed for a term of four years, this term is renewable.   

What do governors do?

The headteacher of the school is responsible for the day to day management of the school.  The role of the governing body is to provide strategic management, and to act as a critical friend, supporting the work of the head teacher and other staff.

All school governing bodies have three core strategic functions:

1.    Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

2.    Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils

3.    Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent

The full governing body meet at least once every term.  At the start of the school year committees, which have specific areas of focus, are established.  Governors are then assigned to the different committees.  Our main committees which meet at least once a term are:

·         Curriculum and standards committee

·         Finance and staffing committee

·         Premises, health and safety committee

·         Headteachers appraisal committee

In addition to this some governors have special responsibilities, for example, a Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) governor. 

For further information on our school governors, including declarations financial and business interests, please click here.

Financial Information

Please note that we do not have any employees with a gross annual salary of more than £100,000.

To view our school's financial data, please click the following link: Reddal Hill Primary School - Schools Financial Benchmarking - GOV.UK (schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk)