Dr. Brinder Singh Mahon OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Strategy and Faith:

Brinder has led the trust since its inception in 2011, and integrally involved in building the Trust to where it is today. He is dedicated to achieving the highest outcomes for all pupils irrelevant of background, founded on a belief that human flourishing and ‘goodness’ should form the basis of education and development from a very young age, to help shape the communities of tomorrow. He was awarded an OBE for his services to education in 2017.

Balbinder Singh Bhandal, Chief Financial Officer:

Balbinder is a dedicated financial executive with a proven track record of strategic financial leadership and operational excellence. Over 25 years of experience in financial management, budgeting, and fiscal planning, predominantly in the manufacturing sector (automotive & aerospace industries). Adept at optimising financial performance, implementing cost-effective solutions, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Balbinder possess strong analytical skills and is keen to understand the unique financial challenges faced by educational institutions.

Debbie Westwood, Director of Primary Education for the Nishkam School's Multi-Academy Trust:

As an experienced Headteacher and Senior Leader for the last 10 years and most recently leading the Trust's Primary Schools to achieve excellent outcomes nationally. Debbie has a track record of success with moving schools from requires improvement to outstanding and her passion lies in working with schools in challenging contexts on all areas of school improvement. She has experience of leading more than one school on many occasions and has been a School Improvement Adviser previously in  another Multi-Academy Trust with 16 primary schools under her remit. During her time as a Head Teacher her school was awarded the following; 

SIAMS Inspection April 2016 – Outstanding; OFSTED Inspection in November 2017 – Outstanding in all areas 

SSAT Educational Outcomes National Awards for Closing the Gap for Disadvantaged Pupils, Children’s Attainment in top 20%, Children’s progress in top 10% for 3 years consecutive years and ranked top Primary School in the Birmingham Mail 2018, as well as being shortlisted for TES Primary School of the Year 2018 and shortlisted for Head Teacher of the Year at the Birmingham Education Awards 2019 and winning Primary School of the Year at the Birmingham Education Awards 2019. Debbie received letters of congratulations from the Rt Hon Nick Gibb and Damian Hinds for excellent pupil progress – top 2% and top 3% in the last two years. 

Mrs S Rai, Trust Quality Assurance Lead, is a Law graduate with a Masters in Child Law & Policy. Since qualifying as a teacher in 2000, Mrs Rai has accelerated through different stages of responsibility and has been committed to raising standards. With over ten years of Primary School Senior Leadership experience, she has a successful track record in leading and developing outstanding learning and teaching.

Mrs Rai has a vast experience of teaching across the primary age range with her lessons being cited as exemplary by Ofsted. She has in-depth knowledge of supporting and developing a range of school teams and is passionate about working with pupils and their families.

Since joining NSMAT, Mrs Rai has been personally inspired by the Virtues programme. She passionately believes in a multi-faith ethos, in which all faiths are celebrated and nurtured. In these difficult social times, Mrs Rai believes that there has never been more of a need to build stronger communities that demonstrate compassion, humility, forgiveness and love.

Mr G Dineen, Trust Lead for Secondary Education, studied Biological Sciences with Chemistry at the University of Limerick, then completed a postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership at the University of Warwick.

Mr Dineen has spent the last six years in the Wembley Multi Academy Trust, as Senior Deputy Headteacher for Wembley High Technology College and subsequently Head of School for the North Brent School.  Working at one of the highest performing state schools in England has given Mr Dineen a clear understanding of what it takes to ensure our young people can achieve their potential.

Mr Dineen was attracted by the Nishkam Trust’s ‘faith inspired, virtues led’ approach to education which puts values at the centre of everything which the Trust strives to do.  He believes in being proactive in educating students to the pressures and challenges that they face in society.  He passionately believes in our virtues and of their use to guide and shape our young people.

Mr Dineen looks forward to working with our families to deliver excellent academic outcomes for students.

Nishkam School Trust Staff