Our Trustees

Our Trustees

Chair of Trustees – Keith Hall

Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, BA (Law) Hons, PGCE, NEBOSH, IOSH.

On leaving university Keith worked in a solicitor’s office for 4 years specialising in criminal and civil litigation. The rest of his career has been focussed on education. Initially Keith was employed as a lecturer in law and then progressed to become Director of Human Resources, Student Services, Health & Safety and Equal Opportunities at a large College of Further Education.

Since 2004 Keith has been the Managing Director of a company with responsibility for strategic development, financial and human resources together with compliance with all statutory requirements. The business offers a range of services including health & safety consultancy. In addition to this, Keith has worked with a number of schools in terms of carrying out safety and safeguarding audits on organisations offering work experience placements to school students.

In recent years Keith has worked with several secondary and primary academies offering specialist clerking services particularly with regards to admission appeals, exclusions and complaints. His training is fully up to date in the relevant Codes of Practice.  He has also delivered training to teachers, governors and panel members in these areas.

Mrs Anna Bateman

Anna is a highly experienced and accomplished figure in the field of education, with a career spanning nearly three decades. As the founder of Halcyon Education Ltd, she has dedicated her expertise to placing mental health and wellbeing at the forefront of school improvement. Her passion for creating resilient environments where students can thrive academically and personally is evident in her extensive contributions to the education sector.

With a wealth of experience, Anna serves as an advisor and trainer for Senior Mental Health Leads at both local and national levels. Beyond her role as the founder of Halcyon Education, she is actively involved in various leadership positions, including as a Trustee of Might Oaks She has previously been a vice-chair of a governing board and on 2 Interim Executive Boards. Her influence extends to policy-making, having advised the Department for Education on their Mental Health Green Paper.

Anna’s commitment to improving mental health outcomes is reflected in her day-to-day activities, where she actively advises primary and secondary school senior leaders. Her strategic leadership skills extend to overseeing key ongoing contracts and maintaining significant relationships with key national educational organisations.

Anna’s educational journey is complemented by her academic achievements, including a postgraduate certificate with Qualified Teacher Status and a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education. She has continued to enhance her knowledge with additional qualifications, such as the Young Minds Academic Resilience Facilitator accreditation and a Social Innovation Module at master’s level.

Her commitment to ongoing learning is evident in her participation in various training programs, including Help to Grow at Birmingham City University, Safeguarding training by NSPCC, and Youth Mental Health First Aid qualification. Anna’s dedication to her field is further demonstrated through her role as a licensed trainer for PATHS Education Worldwide, engaging in ongoing annual training to maintain accreditation.

In summary, Anna is a dedicated, strategic leader, and education expert with a profound commitment to improving mental health outcomes in schools, leaving a lasting legacy for the next generation.

Mrs Mim Hall

Mim has been Principal at Sandwell Valley School (SVS) since July 2016. SVS is an independent school with a charitable status and has a PAN of 175. The school provides alternative provision for a range of students including those referred from secondary schools, international new arrivals, looked after children and SEN from a number of education authorities.

As Principal Mim has experience and knowledge of setting up a new independent school and charity with both strategic and operational management. She was involved with the establishment of the school from the registration process with DFE and Ofsted to securing and adapting new premises. Mim has direct experience with Ofsted involving material changes and full inspections. During June 2022, Ofsted rated Sandwell Valley School as Outstanding, under Mim’s leadership. She has experience of a range of school related issues including business, compliance, HR, finance, Inspections, safeguarding and curriculum.

In addition to her current role as Principal of a secondary school, Mim is the Executive Head for Regis Primary School (KS2-KS6) managing the strategic direction of the school and reporting to Governors and Directors of the West Bromwich Albion Foundation.

Mim’s previous experience includes Management of departments including Apprenticeship programmes with approximately 700 Apprentices across all trades, ESF projects. In addition the development of bespoke curriculum across schools, colleges and with employers such as National Express, Automobile Association and Sandwell Community Caring Trust. Mim has experience with Ofsted inspections across pre sixteen and post sixteen provision and was previously seconded to work shadow Ofsted HMI during an a full inspection at an Early Years Centre.

Current Memberships/Governors experience

Sandwell Secondary Heads Partnership, Police and Schools Partnership, Member of West Midlands Lieutenancy Education Forum, Trustee at Sandwell Community Caring Trust, Governor for Safeguarding at Sandwell Academy, Trustee at Sandwell Valley School

Mr J Handy

Awaiting pen portrait appointed October 2024

Mr Mark Pugh

Appointed September 2023. Awaiting Pen Portrait.