Governors

All of the board members were appointed February 2019.

An Interim Executive Board (IEB) is a group of experienced governors, former head teachers and professionals whose key role it is to challenge progress being made by the school to improve all aspects of the school’s performance focused clearly on the needs of pupils. They will act as the Governing Body and will take decisions in the best interests of the school. The members of the IEB are approved by the Department for Education, not the local authority and they will have complete independence to lead the school alongside the school’s leadership team.

Chair of the IEB- Tim Gallagher

A former experienced head teacher, Tim is currently Chair of Governors at 3 schools including a special school. His expertise includes education, leadership, employment matters and trade union relations

Vice-Chair of the IEB- Robert Trawford

Before retiring in 2013 I was a teacher and Head Teacher in the Borough of Walsall for over 40 years.

I worked at Cooper Jordan Endowed C of E School for many years as a teacher and Assistant Headteacher during which time the school was always in the top five schools in the borough and judged as outstanding by OFSTED.

In 2003 I gained the headship of Walsall Wood Primary School. Within 2 months of taking up post the school narrowly missed requiring improvement in an OFSTED inspection. I was awarded Midland Head Teacher of The Year at the Teaching Awards in 2007 . By the time I left in 2009 the school was judged the second most improved school in the country. I returned to Cooper Jordan School as Headteacher and retired in 2013.

I also worked as a Local Leader of Education for the National College of School Leadership for the Black Country Challenge, supporting Headteachers.

My philosophy of teaching has always been that we should strive to ensure that all pupils enjoy their time in school and achieve to their fullest potential.

I very much look forward to working as Vice Chair of the IEB to help Jane Lane School become outstanding for the benefit of all of its pupils.

IEB Member- Helen Atkins

I worked in the field of special education for the whole of my working career of 35 years. I was fortunate to be Headteacher of two successful special schools within Sandwell over the period of 20 years but prior to that I worked within Walsall borough at Mary Elliot School.

The Orchard School, Sandwell, where I was Headteacher until 2013 when I retired from education, was designated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and was within the first set of special school across the country to be designated a ‘Teaching School’ by the Department for Education. I am delighted to say the school continues to thrive.

I am passionate about the rights of pupils with Special Educational Needs always striving, in whatever setting I have been involved to secure a quality education based on their unique individual needs.

I am currently a Governor at a special school in Wolverhampton which I am pleased to say is a thriving and exciting learning environment and it gives me great pleasure hearing about the quality, fun and extensive opportunities provided for pupils.

I hope to be able to use my experience to provide support for the development of Jane Lane School going forward, ensuring that pupils within the school are provided with access to a quality and innovative education.

IEB Member- Jane Clark

I am extremely pleased to be part of the IEB at Jane Lane School. Although born and raised in Scotland, I have spent most of my working life in Walsall and relish working with Walsall people. I have spent over 20 years in education, lately as head teacher at a Walsall primary school, developing it into a really good school where every child was encouraged to reach their potential.

Over the years, I have worked closely with Arts Connect (part of th Arts Council) developing opportunities to enrich learning of all children. I also chaired the Walsall Committee overseeing outcomes for looked after children for several years. Now retired, I am presently Chair of Governors at a school in Walsall Wood. I assure you of my best efforts to improve learning and outcomes for the children at Jane Lane School

IEB Member- Helena Kucharczyk

Helena is Walsall Council’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Manager, Helena is leading developments around performance reporting and quality assurance across Children’s Services in Walsall.