Members of the Hallmoor Local Academy Council (LAC)
Paul Donkersloot
Paul is the headteacher at Hallmoor School. He has extensive senior leadership experience in the local authority sector, the private sector and within three different Multi Academy Trusts. Paul has lived and worked in many different parts of the country and served on several different governing bodies during the last thirty years.
Mirela Ciolac
Mirela is an experienced teacher, having worked in different Special Schools (in North and Midlands) over her career to date. She also worked as a volunteer in a school and two hospitals, as well as a psychology lecturer and speech and language therapist, abroad.
Mirela joined the LAC in May 2021 and is pleased to be able to share my expertise and continue to support the great work the school is doing. She has also enjoyed learning more about Special Schools and how they operate, as this is an area of education that she feels passionate about.
Paul Roberts – Chair
Paul was a teacher and head teacher for many years in special schools. He has carried out school improvement consultancy and served as a governor in other special schools. Paul joined the LAC because he was struck by the warmth of Hallmoor School when he first visited it and he wants to work alongside staff and parents to give its pupils the best possible opportunities in life .
Veronica Wilkinson
Veronica is a qualified and experienced HR professional with over 20 years supporting people to reach their potential with employability skills, apprenticeships and graduate programmes. She became a LAC member as she wanted to ensure that young people in disadvantaged communities are afforded the same opportunities as their peers. As a LAC member, it will also enable her to share her knowledge and experience with teachers, students and parents. She is also hoping to learn and develop her knowledge on how the school prepares students for the world of work and further education.
Peter Cooke
Peter is pleased to be a parent representative on the Hallmoor Local Academy Council. He brings school experience of literacy and numeracy, as well as experience of SEND. He also has substantial experience of governance in the maintained sector, including as a parent governor and Chair of the Curriculum Committee.
Rubina Akbur
For a few years Rubina has been a parent of a child at Hallmoor School. Over time, both academically and in terms of confidence, her son has improved greatly. She has worked as a Teaching Assistant in mainstream schools and is currently a family support worker at a special school. Her roles have provided her with an insight into what functions effectively and poorly in educational environments.
Rubina believes she will be an effective LAC parent representative because she has knowledge of how schools are run and can relate to parents’ concerns. She gets along well with others and adheres to a school’s culture. Rubina believes that working together is essential, especially when trying to create changes and most importantly boost young children’s learning. Rubina feels she gets the best of both worlds from being a mother and an educator; while she knows she’s not perfect, she’s effective, understanding, and she believes in attaining goals that are established for the better. For Rubina and her children, learning new skills and working on weaknesses has always been important to her. She has overcome obstacles along the way, and does well under pressure if she is surrounded by groups of people that are encouraging and have effective communication skills. Finally, Rubina thinks it’s important to provide children with challenges so they can develop to their full potential. No matter what a child’s needs are, if the right strategies are put into place, they can all progress and learn for the better.
Wendy Whitmore
I am an experienced level three Teaching Assistant and have been at my current school for 26 years. I have worked across the different phases of the school: Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form, so I will bring that experience as a LAC member.
I am looking forward to joining the LAC to share my expertise and to support the great work the school is already doing.
I have always worked in Special Education and find it extremely rewarding.