Meet our Governors

Heaton St. Barnabas CE Primary is a thriving, successful school which strives hard to give every pupil who attends, the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We see our role as governors to help and support the school, to continue the high standards set, working alongside as both support and as a “critical friend”.

As Chairman, I am very proud to be associated with the entire school community. Pupils, all staff, both teaching and non-teaching and an increasingly effective governing body combine to form a cohesive unit.

As governors, one aspect of our influence is through our various subcommittees who report to the full governing body, which meets five to six times a year. I am very appreciative of all the support, time and effort fellow governors put in. We are in the process of writing a pen picture of ourselves below which will give you a small insight to the “make up” of your Governing Body here at St. Barnabas CE Primary School.

Ian Grant
Chair of Governors – St. Barnabas CE Primary School

Mrs D Smith – Headteacher

 It is a great privilege to be the Headteacher of Heaton St.Barnabas CE School. During my time here I have seen the school grow, develop and change creating a fantastic atmosphere for all who become involved with the school, pupils, staff and parents alike. I have seen this partnership grow and the standards of achievement improve. Most important is our school vision and values embedded in an inclusive environment where all pupils thrive as individuals and realise their importance and individuality in God’s world. I strongly believe we have a duty of care to ensure our pupils are prepared for the wider world when they leave St.Barnabas and have the necessary skills and attitudes to enable them to be respected members of their community.

My passion is in Literacy and I firmly believe that reading opens the doors to all areas of the curriculum but also that a love of reading is as important as anything else. Ensuring that our pupils have access to a wide and varied curriculum which is engaging and enjoyable is also important. Building on their skills and providing care and support for our children to reach their best potential and truly believe that they can reach any goal they set for themselves both now and in the future.

Mr I Grant – Chair (Foundation)

I have lived in Heaton for the past thirty two or so years, and have a long association with the school, indeed I worked here as a teacher for a time up until December 2009. I have been a Foundation Governor at St. Barnabas for the past eight years, the last three as Chair. I am married with three grown up children who all attended the St. Barnabas. I have worked in Bradford and the surrounding area since 1984 and am now semi-retired. My retirement has given me more time for my hobbies which include walking, cycling and travelling. It has also given me the chance to more fully be part of the wider school community, something which I am thoroughly enjoying.

Mrs J Arif – Staff Governor

I feel privileged to be a Staff Governor at Heaton St Barnabas. My role in the school is of the Pastoral Care Manager and I thoroughly enjoy working with the children, parents and staff at the school. I believe the schools strong relationship with parents, dedication of the staff and the beautiful nature of the pupils has made the school successful in every aspect.

I have lived in Bradford all my life and feel proud to be a resident of this wonderful city. After graduating from the University of Bradford I worked for many years in the Business sector and in the community, I came to work in Heaton St Barnabas when my own children began attending the school. I started to engage in many activities at the school as a parent and realised the wonderful values and ethos the school has.

I enjoy spending time with my family and helping people in the community. In the past I have worked with elderly people, lone parents, people suffering domestic violence and my bi-lingual skills have enabled me to work with people who are new to English.

I am delighted to be part of this school which not only supports the children’s academic achievements but assists in them becoming good human beings.​

Mr M Ali

I am delighted to be appointed as the Local Authority representative on the board of Governors.  I have lived in Leeds most of my life and moved to Bradford in 2003. I am currently employed by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service as a District Prevention Manager for Kirklees. My role is so varied; I attend and represent the Fire Service on a number of Boards including the Safeguarding Board. I have been with Fire Service for over 12 years and prior to this I have worked for Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS).

I am a Graduate in Biomedical Science, and also hold the Post Graduate Certificate of Education. I have a strong passion for education. I have completed my NEBOSH in Occupational Health and Safety, Project Management and Institute Leadership Management Level 5. In my spare time I volunteer as a Community First Responder for YAS.

I feel passionate about the pupils, the school and their future and look forward to taking on this active and challenging role in ensuring the best provisions for the whole of our community during my term as the Local Authority Governor.

Taeba Ahmed – Parent Governor

My daughter attended Heaton St Barnabas CE Primary school and I therefore have a vested interest being a governor and I am keen and aspire for the school to succeed.

I am extremely enthusiastic about education and graduated with an honour’s degree in Early Childhood Studies. Soon after, I worked in a school planning, preparing and carrying out activities for children. It is here where I also gained some teaching experience which has facilitated my current role of freelancing tuition, thus enabling me to develop my communication, time management and teaching skills further.

I understand the role of parent governor involves ensuring that the school boasts transparency in its vision and philosophy, as well as observing the financial running of the school and taking care that its finances are carefully used. For this reason, I am committed to make an effective contribution to the school. I intend to support the school in any way necessary to retain its excellent reputation for academic success along with happy, friendly children.

Emma Walters – Foundation Governor

I am passionate about education and delighted to have the opportunity to be a governor at Heaton St Barnabas. I began my career in education as a Religious Studies teacher in a secondary school in where I also took on the role of subject specialist for PSHCE & SMSC. My desire to support students led to a role in an FE college as a pastoral lead where I had responsibility for the delivery of PSHCE and overseeing safeguarding, student wellbeing and ALS support. My enthusiasm for education also includes my own personal development – since graduating with an undergraduate degree in Social Sciences I have gone onto to complete a PGCE in Religious Studies, Diplomas In PSHE and Personal Tutoring and a Masters degree in Teaching & Learning. I am currently studying Christian Theology through the Leeds School of Theology for personal interest.

I left working in education full time in the summer of 2018 to take on a Director level position in the family technology business (software and web development), which allows me the flexibility to accommodate family life. Through my role in this business, I relish the opportunity to challenge stereotypes of technology, and encourage anyone to become involved in computer science and technology, regardless of gender, as well as overseeing the training and development of the team. In my spare time I enjoy reading, photography, roller skating, astronomy and spending time camping or walking in the great outdoors.

Chris Chorlton

I lived the first five years of my life in England before moving to Jerusalem. I attended school there as well as boarding school back in England. After University I worked in Yemen for two years where I met my wife Angela.

We lived in Leeds for five years before moving to Egypt to work for the Church Mission Society. We worked in partnership with both the Orthodox and the Anglican Church of Egypt for 12 years.

In 2016 we moved to Bradford to work for the churches here. It was a momentous but good decision. We have three children; Anna, Isaac and Noah.

Shahzia Alam, BEng (Hons), MBA

As a dedicated Parent Governor, I bring a wealth of professional expertise and personal commitment to ensuring that educational excellence remains at the forefront of our school’s agenda.  With a solid academic background, a first degree in engineering and an MBA with an emphasis on Public Management & Senior Leadership, I’ve accumulated over 25 years of experience across various sectors.

In my formative years, I founded and led a mental health charity in Bradford, focusing on the needs of South Asian women and girls.  This role honed my strategic and leadership skills, which I continue to apply in my current position within Bradford Council’s HR department.  As part of my job, I play an active role in supporting and driving local priorities that align with the Council’s objectives.  These priorities include improving skills, providing a good start for children, and promoting skill development.

Having personally benefited from the local education system, completing my A-levels locally and advancing to obtain my degree from the University of Bradford, I have an in-depth understanding of the transformative impact a high-quality school can have.  My commitment as a Parent Governor is rooted in this understanding, and I am dedicated to making a meaningful contribution to our children’s future.