School Board

Nicola Collins

Community, Chair of School Board
01/01/2025 – 31/12/2029

I’m a Community Governor and run my own wholesale distribution company. I joined the school board in 2023 and bring expertise in finance, marketing, and strategic planning. I was appointed Chair of the School Board in September 2025 and am also the finance link governor, so I work with the Head and finance team to ensure the school's financial resources are well managed. In addition to my role at Swanshurst, I’m a Member of WMAT with responsibility for the appointment and removal of trustees. I joined the board initially as a parent governor because I wanted to contribute my skills and experience to my community. I enjoy socialising, I’m a keen gardener, and I’m Chair of Trustees of 96th Birmingham Scout Group.

Gem Durham

Community, Vice Chair of School Board
Wellbeing Link
01/01/2025 – 31/12/2029

I am a Community and Vice Chair member of the Board, having joined in September 2023. Outside of school, I run my own Independent Financial Advisory business, and I bring strong financial and analytical skills to my governance role. As Wellbeing Link for both staff and pupils, I work closely with school leaders to champion a supportive and nurturing environment where everyone can thrive. I am passionate about ensuring every child can access and enjoy their education, and that schools are positive places to work and learn. Outside of work, I enjoy travel, the outdoors, reading and spending time with my family.

Mike Evans

Community
Safeguarding Link
01/01/2025 – 31/12/2029

I have served as a governor at Swanshurst since 2009 and I’m currently a community governor and the Safeguarding link Governor and have been working with Miss Place to help support and ensure that strong systems and policies are in place to support student wellbeing.

I have now Retired after working for 47 years in the local Car Manufacturing Industry, the last 34 years as a Manufacturing Engineer with Austin, Rover & BMW. I have also been a volunteer/helper in many youth organisations and clubs over many years, including D of E, Boys Brigade, Church youth groups, Football & Swimming Clubs. As a result, I have a big interest in supporting young people to develop and grow in a safe environment. I also have close links with Swanshurst as both my daughter and my wife have attended Swanshurst in the past and we have lived very close to the school for almost 30 years, so I understand its important role within our local community. I also enjoy spending time with my family, riding my E-bike and following Aston Villa, including recently many trips around Europe.

Christa Haddleton

Community
SEND Link
18/09/2025 – 17/09/2029

I am a Community Governor and am currently Associate Head of School at a local SEND school in Birmingham for pupils aged 3 - 19. I joined the governing board in September 2025 and have expertise in SEND; specifically Positive Behaviour Management, Autism and developing an effective Climate for Learning. As the SEND link governor, I liaise with the senior leadership team to provide advice regarding inclusive provision for pupils with additional needs. I am passionate about personalised provision, advocating for pupils with SEND and collaboration with families to ensure pupils fulfil their potential. Outside of work I enjoy trying out new recipes, reading and swimming.

Cameron Clark

Staff
Health & Safety, and Cyber Security Link
27/02/2025 – 26 /02/2029

I joined the school board in February 2025 and have worked at Swanshurst since July 2022. I also hold a trust-wide role at West Midlands Academy Trust as Marketing and Communications Manager, focusing on stakeholder communication, engagement, and risk awareness to support effective governance. Outside of work, I enjoy photography, hiking and visiting as many new places across the country. As link governor for health and safety, including cyber security, I focus on how systems and digital practices create safe environments and support positive outcomes for all students. I am passionate about ensuring student experiences are clearly heard and communicated to key stakeholders.

Uzma Mahmood

Community
Careers Link
01/01/2025 – 31/12/2029

I joined Swanshurst School's Governing Board three years ago as a Parent Governor and now serve as a Community Governor. Professionally, I am a Senior Director of Engineering at a London-based technology firm, where I lead large teams of software engineers and oversee complex projects. I bring expertise in IT management, people management, HR, and governance auditing - skills I apply to help the board identify gaps and strengthen school-wide structures. I am deeply passionate about student progression, robust safeguarding, and seeing Swanshurst thrive both academically and in its wider school life.

Nikki Rafiq

Community
01/01/2025 – 31/12/2029

I am a community governor at Swanshurst having joined in joined 2020. I have over 15 years’ experience working in school governance and having a strong background in local engagement and strategic planning, I bridge the gap between families, the community and the school and represent their diverse interests at board level.

I am committed to ensuring every child receives not only an exceptional education but the opportunity to be involved in many extra-curricular activities to open up as many life opportunities as possible.

I have 3 children one having just left Swanshurst and having attended Swanshurst myself many years ago I hope to give back to my school and community.

In my spare time I like to swim and spend time with my family.

Zoe Robbins

Staff
18/09/2025 – 17/09/2029

I am a Teacher Governor currently in my third time of governance at Swanshurst School where I am an English teacher although I have in the past, also taught music, I have been on the governing body since 2015 and over the years as a governor, I have attended all meetings for the full governing body as well as sitting on the Quality of Education board and the 'Finance Committee' prior to the school's academization. I served throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and was part of the board who oversaw the creation of the WMAT. I have attended a number of governor training sessions as well as spending a year as the link governor for SEND. My position as a governor is an integral part of working at Swanshurst and it has been a pleasure and an honour to have been re-elected at the beginning of this academic year. I enjoy the role as it gives me a real sense of what the school is about, and not just from a teacher's perspective. I find the meetings interesting and it never fails to amaze me just how much brilliant work goes on in some many different areas and on so many levels. Being in education is both an honour and a privilege and my position as a governor enables me to engage with education in a more integrated way. Outside of work I am a church organist and play golf as often as possible. I am a staunch Wales Rugby and West Bromwich Albion football supporter.

Joe Miles

Community
22/11/2025 – 22/11/2029

I’m a Community Governor, having been a Parent Governor before that. I joined the School Board in 2022, not long after my daughter started at Swanshurst.

I’m the Course Director of the BA (Hons) Photography course at Birmingham City University. Before that, I was a professional photographer for a range of national and international clients. Although I work in higher, rather than secondary education, I am well aware of the pressure points of teaching, as well as the rewards it can bring. I also have over thirty years’ experience of voluntary youth work.

My particular area of responsibility on the board is around learning and teaching, and I believe that my experience in pedagogic practice (my job, my own teaching qualification and being a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy) make me well-suited to this role.

John Everson

Parent
16/04/2026 – 16/04/20 30

I became a Parent Governor on the Swanshurst School Board in March 2026. I work at a local university, training teachers for secondary schools and further education settings, managing a team of teacher educators and with cross-institutional responsibility for quality management. Before moving into higher education, I worked in secondary schools as a teacher of English and RE and in a range of leadership roles. I have also held two previous school board positions in a secondary school, as Staff Governor and Community Governor. Together, this experience means that I am passionate about and immersed in all aspects of secondary education. I am excited to take an active role in the school community, to speak on behalf of parents and families and to use my expertise to help ensure the best education for all our children. In my spare time, I enjoy running, reading, theatre and cinema.

Darifa Bouhaddouz

Parent
16/04/2026 – 16/04/20 30

I am a Parent Governor and joined the governing board in March 2026. I am a software engineer with a professional background in senior IT leadership. I am also a Chief Consultant at the United Nations in Geneva and New York, specialising in Interfaith and harmony between communities. As well as a Computer Science mentor at the University of Birmingham.

I joined the board because I am passionate about supporting the school community and helping to ensure that all children receive a high-quality education in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment. I hope to contribute my professional skills and experience to support effective governance and the continued success of the school.