Bellfield Junior School

My name is Helen Harper - I am a parent governor and Chair of Governors since Jan 2023.

 I have two children currently in Year 6 and Year 4.

I have worked as an Environmental Health Officer for 16 years carrying out Food hygiene inspections, investigating food complaints, Health and Safety accident investigations and statutory nuisance investigations alongside many other different complaints that the Environmental Health department deals with.

Three years ago I volunteered to help one day a week at the school and this lead to me undertaking the Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning qualification. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the children (who are amazing) and the staff, who were incredibly supportive.

As a parent governor, I hope to use all the skills gained in both my professional and voluntary roles.

When not at work, I enjoy swimming, yoga and reading, and looking after the family rabbits- Biscuit and Snowy.

My name is Mike Watson. I’m the City Council representative on Bellfield’s Governing Body and also joint Vice Chair of Governors (since Sept 2018) for the school.

Having been born and raised in Sussex, educated in West London, and worked most of my life in Hertfordshire, I moved to Birmingham in 2000.

I worked for Birmingham City Council for 15 years as a Community Development Manger as well as establishing an outdoor learning company providing services for local primary and junior schools.

It has been a privilege to work with Nigel and the staff at Bellfield. Like all school governors, I hope my small contribution helps the school continue to thrive and provide an excellent and enlightening education for all the young people it serves.

In my spare time I enjoy walking and gardening with my wife Margo and share in her passion for Shakespeare and the history of Stratford Upon Avon, where we now reside.

My name is Mike Earl.

I am a co-opted governor (since September 2017) and also joint Vice Chair of Governors (since September 2018) for the school.

I grew up in the West Midlands and Warwickshire, and also lived in Leicestershire when I was a student, studying Agriculture.

As soon as I walked into Bellfield Juniors, I could feel that there is a great atmosphere here, and that feeling has never changed in the time I have been a governor at the school – it is a very special place and I feel privileged to be involved!

I live in Warwick and work as an energy consultant for businesses, looking at supply contracts and also energy efficiency measures, such as solar panels and LED lighting, to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

In my spare time, I enjoy travelling (and have been lucky enough to visit some fascinating places including the Malaysian jungle and Finnish Lapland) and walking in the countryside with my dogs, Charlie and Merlot.

My name is Owen O'Brien - I became a Parent Governor in March 2022.

I have lived in Northfield for the past 14 years and my daughters have been pupils of Bellfield Juniors for the past 6 years. I love living and working here and I think this community has many strengths, of which Bellfield Juniors is one! I work for Northfield Community Partnership on the Neighbourhood Network Scheme, helping to strengthen community groups who support adults with disabilities and carers. I have previously worked as a church pastor, debt counselling centre manager and HR professional in the public sector. My passions are music, seeing people thrive and going on a long bike ride on a sunny day.

My name is Gemma Hargraves -I am a co-opted governor who joined in March 2022.

I am Assistant Headteacher at a girls’ school in Birmingham, although I live in Cheltenham (!).  I teach History and am Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. I love teaching diverse and representative History and feel this is important in shaping a future world that is fair, just and inclusive.

I am thrilled to be a governor at Bellfield and to be able to give back to this community. Prior to teaching, I was an Army Officer, then a management consultant, but I am now committed to making a difference in education.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, running, visiting museums and spending time with my husband and our young son. 

My name is Mr Simons and I was elected to join the governing body as staff governor from Sept 2021. 

I have worked at Bellfield Juniors for nearly 4 years across both years 4 and 5. I became the Computing subject lead in 2019 and have strived to implement an engaging and inclusive computing curriculum to equip all our children with the digital knowledge and skills to be ready for secondary school and to be able to succeed in life. 

Before working at Bellfield, I had volunteered and completed placements at a variety of primary schools across Birmingham and achieved a first-class degree in Primary Education. Following this, I began looking for teaching jobs and knew that Bellfield was for me within minutes of walking through the door during my first visit. The ethos and atmosphere, the friendly and dedicated staff and the amazing and hard-working children are all what makes Bellfield special - and I am so proud to work here.