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.
Details about staff teams within our individual schools can be found on their specific school pages.
Our
core
education team
Natalie Ogden
Group Strategic Lead /
Executive Headteacher
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.
Catherine Donnelly
Acting Executive Headteacher
Catherine joined us early in 2026 and is vastly experienced in education. Having worked in Asia and the North West in a variety of school settings, she is excited to be leading our schools.
Caron Cooper
Senior Deputy Head
Caron looks over our Kershaw Wood sites as well as Peak Forest. With experience in teaching trauma-informed practice, her expertise helps ensure our students are understood from the start.
Chantelle Bowker
Senior Deputy Head
Chantelle was formerly the Head of School at The Watkin and has now stepped up to oversee teams at Stansfield House, Tame Bank and The Watkin.
Claire Berry
SEND Coordinator
As SENDCo, Claire oversees how we identify, support and track progress for pupils with additional needs, ensuring requirements are met through high‑quality, inclusive teaching.
Aimee Hallett
Head of Education
Aimee works closely with our teaching teams, also ensuring we surpass Ofsted expectations whenever they may arrive.
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 company.
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 early 2026.