Local Governing Body

Ricky Byrnes, Vice Chair, Local Parent Governor

I am pleased to be able to have the opportunity to become a Governor at BHA as I believe our children’s growth and development within a secondary school setting is essential to the rest of their lives and key to them becoming happy and well-rounded adults, with the very best opportunities in life being made available to them. And I believe my skills and experience can help to support this further. I am an ex pupil of the school and live within the local community, I’m passionate about how BHS links to its community and continues to be integral to the growth and development of the local and wider community. I have worked within Sandwell for over 25 years within several different health improvement settings. This has included positions within the PCT, NHS, Commissioned Services and on to my current role within Public Health (SMBC). I have worked within several areas including weight management, physical activity, health improvement, health training, rehabilitation, sexual health and community development.  I am currently the Physical Activity Project Manager for Sandwell which requires me to directly fund and project manage a range of physical activity interventions across the borough and across the age range. I also manage the Public Health Development Officer Team, who are responsible for linking and developing Public Health and Public Health England projects and priorities within Sandwell and within all areas such as schools, communities, workplaces and primary care.

My aim as Governor will be to support the school, its staff and our pupils in any way I can, and to help the school to continue to strive to be the best it can, and for the young people attending the school to also strive to be the very best they can be.

Miranda Alison, Local Parent Governor

I’m very pleased to be a Parent Governor at BHA, as I respect the leadership’s ambitious goals for the school’s students and teachers. It’s essential to me that the school provides an environment to support the best possible outcomes for all our children, with their varied needs. To help with this, from my experience as a policymaker I bring skills that are essential to the role of a Governor: evaluating data, monitoring outcomes, asking challenging questions, listening to varied views and holding leaders to account. All organisations perform at their best when leaders are both supported and challenged. I look forward to being the Careers Link Governor for BHA, as improving career options for children in Sandwell is really important to me. In my former career, I taught at a university. For BHA students who have the desire to go on to university, I’d love to see them aim high. For those who choose a different path, it’s important there are as many great career options on the table as possible, with quality apprenticeships available. Currently, working on renewable electricity in the civil service for central government, I want to see the civil service improve its recruitment and promotion of people from a much more diverse cross-section of society, so as many different experiences and voices as possible – including those of our children – are involved in the decision-making that affects all of our lives. I look forward to working with the BHA careers team to support the great work they’re doing

Reece Bhatoe, Staff Governor

I have been a member of staff at Bristnall Hall Academy for five years and currently hold the post of Area Leader of Geography. I am, of course, passionate about education and improving the life chances of young people. I also have a keen interest in school governance and using every available opportunity to foster closer and more effective partnerships between staff in school and our stakeholders. I hope to use my role as staff governor to further improve and enhance the opportunities available to the young people in our care.

Cassie Pearson, Local Staff Governor

I have been a member of staff at Pool Hayes Academy for the last 14 years, and I am currently Subject Disciplinary Literacy Coordinator as well as a History Teacher.  Another role I have at Pool Hayes is the Academy Development Group Lead where we look at feedback on whole school issues and develop new ideas for progress.  Being a staff governor allows me to further promote the link between staff voice and stakeholders.

Education has always been my passion, and to get the opportunity to not only work with young and inspiring individuals, but to be able to shape their paths into the future is extremely rewarding. I hope that my role as staff governor will build on this foundation, and allow students to strive further in a progressive and improving environment.

Shnez Begum, Local Community Governor

I believe that every child has a right to a good education, regardless of their ability, the wealth of their parents or guardians, or even to where they reside. This is why I wanted to become a School Governor. I believe, every young adult has the ability to reach their full potential and go on to
be a good human being who is able to contribute to society.

Unfortunately, in today’s fast paced environment, not all young adults achieve their full potential. This is where I can make a difference. I absolutely enjoy advising, guiding and helping applicants on their student journey in the university where I work. It is wonderful to see so many young adults at the start of their journey each academic year. Many are extremely shy and lack confidence.  However, fast forward to 3 years, most change, they flourish to become confident young adults when graduating, ready to join the working environment and conquer the world around them. It is a complete privilege and honour to attend across Faculty graduation ceremonies at the end of each academic year of those students I originally supported to successfully gain a
place on their chosen course.

With my experience and ability to communicate with young adults, combined with my passion for making a difference to their lives makes me an excellent choice for the role of school governor.

Neil Barnett, Local Governor

I’m a senior NHS leader with over 25 years of experience, all of it spent working in or leading services that support children and young people. For the past five years, I’ve been Director of Operations for 0–25-year-old mental health services in Birmingham. In that time, I’ve worked closely with schools and other partners to improve outcomes for children and young people, including leading teams who have set up over 15 Mental Health Support Teams across the city.

I’m passionate about making a difference and ensuring young people have the right support around them to thrive — not just in healthcare, but in education and the wider community too. I have a strong track record of leading teams, managing large public sector budgets, and improving governance and accountability across services. I also know how important it is to build strong relationships with local partners — something I see as just as important in a school setting.

As a parent to a son in primary school and a stepson in Year 10, I’m keen to give something back. I care deeply about helping young people succeed and know that lasting change takes time, commitment, and trust. I’ll be proud to bring my experience and energy to Pool Hayes Academy.