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.
Chair: Lucas Van der Schalk
As a director of manufacturing businesses I have always aimed to provide some outlet for all members of society and to be part of the process to help people live independent lives is very inspiring and humbling to me. I am keen to be able to contribute through sharing my experience of business and leadership to provide a perspective that aims to support and drive the success of the school. I have had a number of interactions with people from special schools in business and provided them an outlet for independent living; I hope to be able to achieve the same result through my Chairmanship of Hallmoor School LAC.
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
Wendy is a experienced level three Teaching Assistant and has been at her current school for 26 years. Wendy has worked across the different phases of the school: Primary, Secondary and Sixth Form, so will bring that experience as a LAC member. Wendy is looking forward to joining the LAC to share her expertise and to support the great work the school is already doing.
Wendy has always worked in Special Education and finds it extremely rewarding.
Karen Kershaw
Karen is an experienced science teacher and has worked at Hallmoor School, specialising in science, for 10 years. Karen is very passionate about working with the young people at Hallmoor School, and joined the LAC to further support the school and our families. Karen is looking forward to sharing her knowledge and experience of working with SEN students and help to develop the wonderful progress that our school is making.
Rahima Begum
Rahima organises classes and activities for children and young adults with SEN at a local madrassa in Birmingham. Rahima has volunteered in the local community for a number of years and whilst the role of a LAC member is new to her she is hoping her experience can help support the amazing work being done by Hallmoor School.
Azizan Nisa
I am a parent of two children, one of which is a special needs student who attends Hallmoor School. I have personal experience raising a child with additional needs and therefore I can relate to the parents of the children who attend this school.