Governors

Aimi Swift, Chair of Governors

I chair the local governing body, having previously been the vice-chair for the governors of the Forest Family. I act as the link governor for curriculum (English) and the Early Years Foundation Stage.

I have previously served as a Director of the John Taylor Multi Academy Trust and as a foundation governor of a church school in London. Earlier in my career I was a Y5/6 teacher and English lead, and I now have three children at primary school. My background helps me to appreciate staff and parents’ perspectives on the matters we encounter as governors. I also worked in educational assessment for over ten years, which has given me a strong understanding of the primary national curriculum. 

I now work in the civil service, where I am a deputy director.

Sally Ward, Associate Governor

Since 2017, I have been the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENDCo) working part-time across both schools in The Forest Family. I gained my post graduate qualification in SEND leadership (NASENCO) in 2018.  Prior to this, since 2011, I worked in a variety of teaching roles at All Saints C of E Primary. I have 27 years of experience working in Staffordshire schools, across the Primary age range, including as an Early Years lead. During the last academic year, alongside my SEND role, I acted as Deputy Headteacher at All Saints C of E. I relished this opportunity and in particular I enjoyed nurturing and developing our overarching Christian ethos and promoting a high level of pastoral care, nurture and inclusion . I am particularly passionate about the social, emotional and mental health development of our pupils and staff, and the importance of nurture practice in our schools. I am also studying towards my National Professional Qualification in Senior Leadership (NPQSL).

In my down-time I love to play touch rugby, watch my sons play rugby and go for walks with my black Labrador, Mabel.

Jackie Warner, Staff governor Yoxall St Peter’s Primary School 

I have worked at Yoxall for nearly 24 years, starting as a part-time teaching assistant, working in KS1. Later I gained my degree whilst continuing to work as a TA.  I later became a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and now work across both key stages. My passion in school is teaching phonics and seeing how children become readers and discover the love of books. I joined the Governing body 2015 where I was part of the transition to the MAT.  

Mark Drury, Parent Governor

Claire Lovell, Parent Governor

I am a Parent Governor at Yoxall St Peter’s within the Forest Family. I act as the link governor for curriculum (maths), finance and risk.

I have previously been a Director of a Multi Academy Trust where I was also the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee. Finance, risk and numbers are what I do every day in my day job for a large MAT where I assist in monitoring compliance and risk across the Trust. I am a Chartered Accountant.

I have one daughter at St Peter’s now and another daughter who moved to high school this September. Outside of work you may see me walking or running with my dog around our lovely village and I am also a hockey coach for the junior teams based at Lichfield Hockey club.

Donna Preston, Associate Governor

 I am currently part time deputy headteacher at Needwood CE Primary School which I have undertaken since 2018. Prior to this I have worked in a number of teaching roles across the Forest Family (previously Federation) since 2007. I have 30 years of experience of working in primary schools with over 10 years at leadership level and I also have over 20 years experience as a governor over 5 different settings. Alongside my deputy role, I also work part time for the North Mids Maths Hub as an Assistant Maths Hub Lead. In this role I support schools with their development of the teaching for mastery approach and collaborate on a national level with the aim of ensuring all children achieve in maths. I am very passionate about all children believing they can succeed in maths. I enjoy working in our small, Christian schools in which there is a wonderful family community.

Joanne Lowe, Governor

I am the safeguarding governor and RE/collective worship lead for our governing body.

 I am currently a headteacher at a Church of England Primary School and am keen to support schools in our local area.  I have been teaching for over twenty years, and also been a member of the County moderation team for Key stage 1 assessments since 2015.  This is the third governing body that I have served on over the past thirteen years through which I have gained a wealth of experience in governance. 

 Outside of school, I also hold qualifications in teaching dance and I am a qualified British Gymnastics coach. I continue to assist my local gymnastics club with coaching and supporting as a parent. As well as all of the above, I love reading, walking and spending time with my family and friends.

Jodie Jones, Associate Governor

 I am currently Deputy Headteacher at All Saints Rangemore 4 days a week. I am also the part time class teacher for our wonderful year 1 and 2 children in Class 2. I joined the Forest Family in September 2017 and have never looked back.  I Previously worked at a Church School in Lichfield where I was Key Stage 1 leader and Maths lead for 7 years. I was also a member if the Governing body at this school too. My passion is enabling children to thrive and flourish in our beautiful schools as well as enabling staff to achieve everything they can be whilst prioritising staff wellbeing. I am also a busy mum to 3 children, 2 of which are young twins.

Naomi Warr, Parent Governor

I am a parent governor who fulfills the health and safety representative function within the Forest Family board of governors. I have health, safety and environmental professional qualifications, and work as a principal environmental consultant in the private sector. 

While working as an environmental professional for over 20 years I gained accredited body health and safety qualifications. Although primarily an environmental specialist, my health and safety knowledge enables me to assess situations and advise on how requirements and obligations can be complied with without compromise to environmental requirements and vice versa. 

As part of my current and previous professional roles I regularly deliver enviromental management training courses to adults, and therefore have some appreciation of teacher and delegate perspectives. 

In my spare time I am a keen triathlete and am keen to assist our schools progress sporting, as well environmental cost, accreditation and educational opportunities.