Governors

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Meet the Governors

Role of the Governors

Ash Green’s local governing board (LGB) has delegated responsibility from The Societas Trust board to provide strategic leadership and accountability. It has three key functions:

Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent;
Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its pupils; and
Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction.

Mr Christopher Austin - Trust Representative

Governor type: Trust appointed

Term of office end date: 27.11.25

Declared business interests: Director of Edenfield Solutions Limited

Declared financial interests: None declared

Other school Governor posts: Director of the Societas Trust, Sandford Hill Primary School

Mrs Clare Warburton - Acting Chair of Governors

Governor type: Trust appointed

Term of office end date: 27.11.25

Declared business interests: Youth Sport Trust

Declared financial interests: None declared

Other school Governor posts: None declared

Clare Warburton is an active parent of two children at Ash Green. Having worked within the education and sports sector for over 20 years, previously as a Physical Educator, Clare is keen to bring some of this knowledge to the Governing Body of Ash Green. Clare has worked for her current employer for the Youth Sport Trust for the past 14 years in a national role for a sports charity that believes in the power of PE and sport in building a brighter future for young people. In this time with the Youth Sport Trust Clare has been heavily involved in education and is involved with Schools across the country in supporting the delivery of the Governments strategy for PE and School Sport. Clare is also involved at Trentham Pre-School in Hanford as Vice Chair of the Governing Body as well as the Treasurer for Ash Green’s Parent and Teacher Association (PTA). Clare is committed to playing an active role in the school as a co-opted Governor to support the Teachers and Senior Leadership Team to help the school flourish. Clare is most importantly looking forward to helping the young people of the school to be happy and confident learners, enriching their experiences and creating lifelong memories.

Mr Ed Leighton - Acting Vice Chair of Governors

Governor type: Parent Governor

Term of office end date: 3.7.23

Declared business interests: None declared

Declared financial interests: None declared

Other school Governor posts: None declared

I am delighted to take up my first Governors role at Ash Green. I have twin daughters in reception who absolutely love coming to this wonderful school. I am currently the Assistant head teacher at St Joseph’s College, Trent Vale with responsibility for Teaching and Learning, Curriculum, Staff appraisal and have oversight of the Teaching School and SCITT. I also have a role at the department of education in The Teacher Reference Group. This is a confidential sounding board, advising on the potential impact of policies on the school system, including any barriers to implementation. I have been a teacher for over 13 years and have been a geography teacher at Edensor High for a year, then moved to Cannock Chase High School and then to Sir Thomas Boughey where I was head of PSHE/Citizenship and I have also had a role as Head of geography. I am passionate about helping young people achieve their potential through education and ensuring youngsters have the best opportunities to succeed whilst growing into responsible and caring individuals. I am really looking forward to working with the children, staff and families within the school community.

Mrs Jodie Kessel - Headteacher

Governor type: Ex-officio by virtue of office as Headteacher

Term of office end date: n/a

Declared business interests: SLE at Blackfriars TSA

Declared financial interests: None declared

Other school Governor posts: None declared

It truly is a privilege to be Head Teacher at Ash Green Primary Academy, a part of The Societas Trust. Working with our children and wider community is genuinely a pleasure. I am fortunate in working with a team of highly skilled practitioners, leaders and governors who are all committed to us ‘achieving the best, together’.

During my professional journey, I have been able to develop my own philosophy in teaching and learning, gaining an extensive understanding of self-sustaining Academy improvement. I am passionate about working in a culture where equality, fairness and respect are paramount; I have an unshakeable belief that all children have an entitlement to world class opportunities regardless of background. I aspire for all children to have a love of learning and curiosity about the world we live in. A carefully designed curriculum and assessment system, bespoke to our School context, allows our children to make sense of the world and their place in it, as well as respecting and valuing other individuals and communities.

During my time at Ash Green Primary Academy, I have established a strong, professional relationship with all members of the School community. Communities have welcomed my vision in striving for excellence and not perfection. I continue to be dedicated in raising achievement for all children (also ensuring that children are physically and mentally healthy) and I have the desire to improve the quality of teaching and learning, by being an outward facing leader who has an awareness of current educational thinking and seeks best practice in other settings. Ash Green has strong collaborative links with the academies in the Societas Trust. I am also a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) for Blackfriars Teaching School Alliance. Being able to share best practice and impact on significant numbers of children, across our county and further afield, is highly rewarding.