Team and governors
Our schools are led by passionate and skilled professionals who are dedicated to supporting children and young people. Each school has a team of teachers, support staff and specialists who work together to create safe, inclusive and inspiring learning environments.
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Our schools are also guided by a committed governing body. The governors play a vital role in providing strategic direction, ensuring accountability and helping us maintain the highest standards of education and care. Their oversight and support enable us to continually improve and deliver the best outcomes for our learners.
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On this page, you’ll find information about the staff who look after all our schools, as well as the governors who help shape our vision and values.
Our
core
education team
Natalie Ogden
Group Strategic Lead
Natalie stepped up to this new role in early 2026. With knowledge of all of our students, she advises on processes while also working across the First Steps Together Group.
Tayyaba Ahmed
Director of Education
Tayyaba is an experienced leader across specialist education and has a strong track record of school improvement. She strategically manages our primary and secondary sites.
Robyn Dee
Head of Inclusion
Robyn is a seasoned education specialist with experience across alternative provision, pupil referral units and beyond. She helps to ensure no student is left behind at First Steps Together.
Monica
Leontescu
Executive Headteacher
Biography coming soon
Neil
Smith
Executive Headteacher
Neil has worked in education for over 20 years across specialist and mainstream provision. He empowers and supports Heads of School to deliver the best outcomes for our students.
Aimee Hallett
Head of Curriculum
Aimee is an experienced teacher and leader within SEMH settings across Key Stages 1 to 5. She oversees the design and delivery of a high quality, engaging curriculum.
Our governors
Andrea Lloyd
Chair of Governors
A neurodivergent parent and professional, Andrea brings deep lived experience, being autistic and having ADHD, alongside years of navigating the specialist education system for her own family. She understands first‑hand the emotional and practical challenges faced by parents and carers.
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As the Founder of Denton Autism ADHD Family Support, known as DAAFS, and Chair of the Tameside Umbrella Parent Carer Forum, she works to strengthen whole‑family support and ensure that parent‑carer voices shape local decision‑making.
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Her work is grounded in connection, authenticity and a strong commitment to creating meaningful, collaborative change for neurodivergent young people and their families.
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She recently joined us on our Footsteps podcast.
Rob Wardle
Governor
Rob is Managing Director of an insurance brokers. With four children himself, he has limited time to himself but does enjoy a game of padel.
He says he finds the enthusiasm and passion at First Steps Together 'infectious'.
Rob Nicholson
Governor
Rob is Managing Director of a local print company.
Matty Hall
Governor
Matty is the owner of The Dining Room in Gee Cross.
Sammi Dace
Governor
​We will be continuing to update this section through 2026.