Hello, my name is Karen Handford and I am Chair of Governors at Holly Hill. I have been a governor at the school since 2012 and I am also the school's finance and premises governor.

My background, before I took early retirement, is in school finance so I am able to bring some experience to this area of responsibility and I have enjoyed working with Miss Taylor and our bursar to stretch the school's finances as far as we can to benefit all our children as much as possible.  I also report back to the full governing body on these matters each half term so all governors have a clear picture of Holly Hill's resources.

It has been a pleasure to see Holly Hill transform itself in recent years into the super school we see today and to have played a small part its development.

When not busy at Holly Hill, I enjoy cooking, reading and history. I am appointed by the Methodist Church and I am a member at Solihull Methodist where I am also involved with church finances and premises.

I am always ready to talk to parents and you can contact me if you wish through the school office.

I am a Methodist Presbyter who is superintendent minister in the Birmingham Circuit.

I value children's education and wellbeing.   I also like to promote diversity in all areas of our school.

Holly Hill is a special place where adults come together to help children to flourish. Having seen this in Holly Hill over 18 years,  as a member of the Church of England Birmingham Education team, I am happy to have joined the Governing Body.  I now work part time for the Church of England, as the Net Zero Carbon Schools Officer. It is great to see how Holly Hill pupils are learning to care for God’s world. I am a member of St John and St Peter’s Church, home of the Ladywood Interfaith Education Project (LIEP).  Holly Hill pupils visit this church regularly, as part of the Religious Education curriculum. I am married and have an adult son.

Hello my name is Alison Simpson (Ali ) and I am a governor at Hollyhill school. I have spent my working life in the NHS in mental health services, a career I absolutely loved. I’m excited to bring that experience and knowledge into my governor role, as I think we all understand so much more today about how important  mental wellbeing is, both for adults and children. After I retired I applied to become a foster carer and have had the privilege of sharing my home with children and young people through this role.

Over recent years I have had the opportunity to get to know Hollyhill a little, and have seen first hand the way the school cares for, and brings out the best in the children it serves. I’m so pleased to be a part of the journey for the school, for children and families .

Holly Hill is a wonderful school.  It is where I started my teaching career as a student and since 2016 it has been where I have taught in numerous roles. 

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team and Governor I have the pleasure of shaping our continuined journey -  making our school the best place for our children and families.  Working together we can achieve great success and I aspire that for everyone who is a part of our Holly Hill community.

As well as having taught History in Higher Education since 2003, for the last decade I have held leadership roles at the University of Birmingham. As a result I have significant experience of the challenges of educational leadership and management, including regulatory restriction and compliance; budget challenges; staffing challenges; curricular development; support and wellbeing of learners.

I became a governor at Holly Hill in the summer of 2024 and look forward to using my skills and abilities for the benefit of the school. I believe that the core ethical values and spiritual practices of Christianity provide a key aspect of lifelong character education for pupils. To be able to advocate for this within the curriculum, and to support the work of Holly Hill in its mission as well as educational aims, is a genuine privilege.

Hi, I’m Beth and I am your friendly Staff Governor. I have worked at Holly Hill for a long time now, with many opportunities to grow professionally with the support given by fellow colleagues and SLT. I’ve covered different roles within school and currently stand at class TA in year 2.

Things to know about me?

I live with my partner James, of 23 years, we have 2 teenage girls, Maisy and Madeline, 2 Fur babies Narla and Cocoa and I love my extended Holly Hill Family x