Governors

Ms J Bourke

Vice Chair of Governors

I was invited to join the Governing Body at Grove Vale Primary School in the Spring Term of 2022 as a Co-Opted Governor. I have worked for the Local Authority for over 45 years both in the Education and Finance Service areas. For the last 25+ years, I have worked in the Schools Financial Services traded team supporting a number of schools as their Budget Officer. I support schools with all financial aspects from setting the budget to providing financial monitoring reports thus I have a detailed knowledge of Schools Funding. I feel that my experience within education and finance will support my role on the Governing Body of Grove Vale. As a Governor, I consider my most important role to be the safety, welfare and education of the pupils. I want to make a positive contribution to children’s education and I want to ensure that objectives are met and that future planning is both visionary and realistic.

Mrs L Maccarthy

I joined the Governing Body of Grove Vale Primary School in September 2017 as a Co-opted Governor. I have spent the last 10 years as the Head Teacher and then Principal of an inner city Primary Academy in Birmingham. Prior to this I was Deputy Head and SENCo at another Birmingham Primary School and the Head of an SEN resource base for children with physical disabilities. I am now retired and feel that my experiences within Education will greatly support my role on the Governing Body of Grove Vale. My role on the Governing Body includes being a member of the Pupil and Curriculum Committee as well as the SEN Governor, Outcomes for Children (Data) Governor and Link Governor for Year 6. I also volunteer one morning a week to support reading in Year 2. Working closely with both Year 2 and Year 6 gives me an insight into the school’s performance against the National Curriculum which supports the Governing Body to monitor and evaluate the educational successes, school improvement, teaching and learning and curriculum delivery alongside the areas of pupil wellbeing, health and safety, safeguarding and the Core Values of the school. My areas of responsibility touch all areas of the Core Values but my one interest is that all children have equal opportunities to learn, feeling confident in everything that they are asked to do, so that they can feel good about themselves and model good learning and social behaviours – “Valuing Ourselves and Each Other”.

Mrs J Gill

I first came to Grove Vale as a Year 3 teacher in 1989. I applied because the school had its own swimming pool (built by the parents), large fields and 2 playgrounds, just what I wanted as a newly qualified PE teacher. I thought it would be a great place to start my teaching career. Little did I know that I would also be ending my teaching career still there 34 years later! I taught every year group from Year 6 to Reception and was responsible for PE, outdoor learning, offsite education, science, design and technology and the Early Years Foundation Stage. Over the years at Grove Vale I have seen many changes, moving from chalk and blackboards to using smartboards, the introduction of SAT’s and the National Curriculum to name but a few. The constant in all this change has been the children. They have been the reason that I stayed as long as I did and the reason I am back as a governor. I’ve loved watching children grow, develop and succeed over their time at Grove Vale and have been lucky enough to welcome them back as colleagues or teach their children (even though it has made me feel old) I am passionate about the value of being active, being outdoors and being in the natural environment. I have brought my own children up to embrace these values and as a family we have always been active and outdoors. Everyone deserves to have access to the right educational skills and knowledge but to thrive we need to have the physical and mental skills and knowledge too. At Grove Vale there has always been that emphasis on developing the whole child, to prepare them for their future and to give them the skills to find their way in life. I now look forward to spending my time as a governor helping the school and its community to achieve their goals – “Together We Grow”

Mr J Gurung

I was invited to join the governing body of Grove Vale in 2024, and I am committed to the continued success of this fantastic school. After graduating in mathematics from the University of Oxford, I began my career teaching and leading a department in Oxfordshire, as well as coordinating a Duke of Edinburgh scheme and leading several month-long expeditions overseas. I relocated to Birmingham in 2018 and currently serve as Deputy Headteacher at Q3 Academy Great Barr, a local secondary school. I am passionate about our responsibility to provide an education that sparks joy, builds character, and unlocks opportunities for young people. Beyond my specialist interests in curriculum, teaching, and learning, I bring a broad understanding of the diverse challenges involved in running a school. Outside work I volunteer as an army cadet instructor, where I am privileged to see young people grow in confidence, develop leadership skills, and embrace positive values. At Grove Vale, I look forward to working with the governing body and wider school community to help ensure that every student thrives both academically and personally, receiving the best possible start in life.

Mrs M Bunch

I have been a co-opted governor at Grove Vale Primary School since 2016. I have many years of experience in education and school leadership in Sandwell and the local area. My current professional role is Deputy Head Teacher at Grove Vale. I started working at Grove Vale in 2010 when I was seconded as Assistant Head Teacher, I then became Deputy Head Teacher in 2012. My role prior to secondment was as an Early Years Consultant for Sandwell LA where I supported schools and settings in providing high quality education provision for children from birth to 5. I have also worked in several other primary schools as a class teacher and member of their senior leadership teams which has enabled me to gain experience in leading many different areas within school. I believe strongly in the core values at Grove Vale as a member of staff and school governor, and I am committed to supporting school to provide the best possible experience for all its pupils, families and staff.

Mrs S Pathak

I recently got elected Parent Governor at Grove Vale School. I have been serving in this role since September 23rd. My professional background lies in the banking sector, where I have worked for NatWest Bank for the past 19 years as a Performance and Business Management Manager. However, my passion lies in education and providing children with the best opportunities to unlock their full potential. In addition to my role as a Parent Governor, I am also honoured to serve as the Chair of the Parents Friends Association. In this position, I work diligently to raise funds through various activities, with the aim of supporting school projects and enhancing the overall experience for the children. As the Reception (Early Years Learning) Link Governor, I have the privilege of regularly visiting the school and observing the incredible work being done by the staff. I am always impressed by their dedication and the positive interactions they have with the children. I am looking forward to working collaboratively with the school, parents, and staff to contribute towards creating a nurturing and inspiring educational environment for all our students.

Miss L Rashid

I joined the Governing Body of Grove Vale Primary School in September 2023 as a parent governor. I have worked in both primary and secondary schools within the Black Country. I know how important primary education is for young people to prepare them for the future and provide them with the best opportunities to reach their full potential. I have a passion for sport and physical activity (being a football referee and working for many years at Sandwell Leisure Trust) and am interested in the wide variety of extra-curricular opportunities offered to pupils. I regularly visit the school to see the fantastic work being done by the staff as well as supporting events. I am the link governor for year two, pupil premium and PE and School Sport. As a parent I don’t just want the best for my child, but the best for all our pupils, ensuring the school excels for pupils, families, and staff. I am looking forwards to supporting this ‘outstanding’ school in continuing to strive to provide the best educational environment possible for our pupils.

Mrs K Bolaji

I was co-opted to the Governing Body of this outstanding school for a second term, in September 2025. I am an experienced solicitor, judicial office holder and Co-Founder of a thriving social networking organisation aimed at promoting diversity within the legal profession. I am, more importantly, a mother of three, and understand firsthand the importance of good governance in schools and the impact this has on both pupils and their families' lives. My skillset and background enable me to offer diversity of thought and perspective, making our Governing Body even stronger.