Angelyn Solanki - BCPS LGB

I joined Balsall Common LGB in May 2023 as a co-opted school governor. I am a lawyer for an energy company and have two decades of legal experience which I hope will provide a useful skill set to the governing body.

I have three children all currently in BCPS and therefore I am fully invested in the outcomes of the school and ensuring a nurturing and stimulating educational environment is provided now and in the future.

Beyond my professional and parental duties, I am an amateur ceramicist and love to cook, read and travel with my family. 

Holly Oag - BCPS LGB

I joined the LGB in December 2022. My Governor role will focus on leadership and management and a link for wellbeing. I previously held the position of secretary for BCPS PTA from 2016 until 2022.

I have 25 years’ experience in Human Resources. My current role is Head of People for a ceramics distributor in the Midlands. Prior to this I have worked in HR Management positions within automotive manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and furniture manufacturing. I have varied and generalist background in HR.

I have consulted Board of Directors on re-structuring, training and development, policy implementation and employee relations. I have navigated through turbulent COVID times, including furlough and redundancies. Thankfully, now I am concentrating on positive and pro-active projects such as recruitment and brand development through our Investors in People accreditation.

I have lived in Balsall Common for 13 years with my Husband and two children, both educated at BCPS. Outside of work I am part of the coaching team for the Kenilworth Junior Triathlon Group and a volunteer for junior park runs. At a weekend you can often find me at a local park run in a high vis. I also have a keen interest in reading and musical theatre.

Andrea Chapman - BCPS LGB

I joined Balsall Common Governors as a parent governor in December 2020.   I have lived in the village for almost ten years and both of my children have attended Balsall Common Primary with my youngest about to enter Y6.   

I am a SENCO at a neighbouring Solihull school and have worked as a teacher/in school leadership for over twenty years.  

I am passionate about supporting the families of pupils with SEND and ensuring pupils with SEND receive the support they are entitled to reach their full potential.     As part of my job, I have achieved a post-graduate qualification in special needs provision and I am also a qualified Mental Health First Aider.    

In my downtime, I enjoy swimming and country walks with friends, usually with a nice pub lunch at the end!

Alison Bennett - BCPS LGB

I am married with three grown up children. I have a keen interest in music and the performing arts and enjoy a variety of live entertainment. I love to spend time with my immediate and extended family.

I became a member of Balsall Common Primary's Local Governing Body in March 2022 after being co-opted. I made the decision to volunteer due to my interest in the school and a desire to share my skills and experience of working in education.

I am a qualified teacher with many years experience working in both mainstream and specialist educational settings. I currently work for the Local Authority in an advisory role which involves assessment of children, advising schools on best practice to aid inclusion, and looking at ways to differentiate the curriculum to ensure children achieve their full potential. In order to ensure my skills are up to date I continue to study and embark upon a variety of relevant training.

In a previous role as an Assistant Head Teacher I was responsible for the leadership and management of teachers and teaching/learning assistants which included their performance management and continuing professional development. I have been responsible for the training and development of NVQ and PGCE students, and have mentored newly qualified teachers. I know that my experiences both in management, and answerable to management help me to see situations from many sides.

Ben Adams - BCPS LGB                                                            

I have been a member of the Balsall Common LGB since September 2021 as co-opted link governor for Health & Safety. I became vice-chair of the Committee in September 2022, and have been the Chair of Governors since September 2023

I have spent the majority of my 25-year career working in construction within the utility sector at Severn Trent Water, National Grid and Cadent Gas.

While I have mainly specialised in Procurement and Commercial Management, I have also led several strategic change projects, including the design and implementation of Governance, risk and assurance frameworks. The skills and knowledge I have developed working within the regulatory environment translate naturally to my role as governor, and my construction experience lends itself to my safety link role.

I live in Balsall Common with my wife, Lucy and our 2 children (both of whom attended BCPS). In my spare time I can be found walking the dog while listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks; I enjoy going to gigs and festivals whenever possible, and have recently discovered the joys of paddleboarding.

Emily Coles - BCPS LGB

I volunteered to become a parent governor in January 2021 after working at BCPS for 4 years as a Nursery teacher and still feeling very much invested in the school. I have been an Early Years Teacher for many years and previously served as a staff governor in a previous school, which gave me the experience of sitting on a budgeting board and curriculum board. Both of my children attended BCPS. I took on joint responsibility for link governor for SEND and Pupil Premium, as well as Curriculum and Assessment.

I have spent my entire career working with children and education. As an experienced Class Teacher, I have led and managed new initiatives and subjects, such as Forest School and outdoor learning. I have worked closely with the local Authority and other council organisations. I currently work in a fully outdoor setting that focuses on the wellbeing of children and have experience of working with SEND children and the complexity of ensuring their needs are met. I understand school life and their needs and the pressures that can come with working in education and the need to be flexible in a changing world.

I have lived in Balsall Common for over 15 years and love this community. I can often be seen at St Peters Church, running around the village or performing in our local am drama performances.

Katie Hellewell - BCPS LGB

 Katie joined the BCPS LGB in 2021.Katie is a chartered accountant and is employed as a financial advisor at KPMG, based in Birmingham. At work, Katie advises investors on their merger and acquisition (M&A) strategies, including working on the disposals and acquisitions of businesses. Katie has advised on more than 20 transactions in her 10+ year career. This has enabled Katie to develop expertise in critical assessment of information and how to maximise use of financial investment – skills that are helpful for supporting the objectives of the LGB.

Katie lives in Berkswell. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her two young girls, exploring walks and restaurants in the local area with her husband, travelling and cooking.