Our Governors
To contact the Chair of Governors - Please send all addressed mail to:
Mr Iain Ross
C/O Trawden Forest Primary School
Dean Street
Trawden
BB8 8RN
Governor Information
Meet some of our governors
Iain Ross - Chair of Governors
I became a governor at Trawden Forest Primary School in October 2016. I am currently a vice chair of the Curriculum and on the Pay Review Committees and I am nominated governor for PE and Prevent. I have one child in school in year 2. I became a governor because as well as having an interest in my children's education, I hope to bring another perspective to the board and contribute to the continuing improvement of the school. I have worked in the further education sector as a sport teacher for 9 years and for the last 5 years worked for a leading children’s charity, Barnardo’s. Barnardo's Employment, Training and Skills Yorkshire is a Work Based Learning Provider based in Bradford. From this service we provide learning and skills programmes for young people aged 16-24 including: DfE 16-19 Study Programme, Traineeships, Apprenticeships, including those delivered to our staff team across England and corporately funded employer recruitment programmes.
I have recently been appointed manager of the service at Barnardo's Employment, Training and Skills Yorkshire. We aim to engage, motivate and support young people to achieve qualifications, progress and secure sustained positive destinations such as further education or employment to improve their own life chances and provide a positive future.
Paul Wright - Vice Chair of Governors
Before retiring in 2016 I had been involved in schools for 36 years. I have taught in a number of schools (both mainsteam and special) with the local authority. As a headteacher of three different special schools, over a spread of 16 years, it has been my privilege to work with and serve a number of governing bodies, in developing the ethos, learning opportunities and outcomes for young people,
I became a governor at Trawden in June 2014 and became Chair of Governors in November 2016. I am now the Vice Chair of Governors. My particular areas of interest are SEND and Behaviour Management.
Away from governorship, I enjoy the usual range of activities associated with retirement such as gardening, DIY, travel and support local activities found within my own village community. If I have one interest which usually elicits a 'poor you' it is that I still follow Blackpool FC.
Louise Sims - Staff Governor
I was nominated and became a staff governor in November 2019 and I am currently on the resources committee. I am the School Bursar at Trawden Forest Primary School and my key responsibilities are the administrative and financial management of the school.
I was previously employed by Barclays Bank for 19 years and worked my way through various key worker roles including ‘Small Business Manager’. I left in 2008 to start a family and my twin boys have kept me busy ever since!
I returned to work as an office assistant at Trawden School in 2014 and have also held a teaching assistant role here, working predominantly in Year 6.
Throughout my time at Trawden, I have been excited and proud to see school develop and improve - becoming one of the best schools in Pendle and I am committed to continue contributing towards making Trawden be the best that we can be!
Judy Knott - Co-opted Governor
I have been on the governing body since June 2017. I am on the curriculum committee and am a nominated governor for English, GDPR, Forest School and enrichment. I began my career as a speech therapist then trained and worked as a teacher of the deaf. After moving to Germany, I worked at an international school where I headed a primary special needs team. I organised trips for senior school students to Tanzania and ran a sponsored students' programme. I still love to visit Tanzania when possible. For a while after retiring I taught and lived in a massai village. There were a lot of children in each class.
My links with Trawden Forest Primary came about via my links with St Mary’s church in Trawden. I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know the school, the curriculum and the exciting developments which are contributing to the school’s continuing improvement.
Patrick Eastham - Co-opted Governor
I became a governor of the school in 2022. I work as a procurement consultant helping large organisations manage their budgets in the most effective way possible so it should be no surprise that I am on the school's resources committee. I have worked in over 80 different public and private sector businesses helping them find savings and driving efficiencies to help stretch budgets a little further. I hope to be able to help the school do the same.
Out of school I have 4 kids (all grown up), I coach junior football, I'm a member of a local choir, a trustee of a charity trying to improve local sports facilities, a very keen gardener, and a Preston North End season ticket holder!
Vicky Dobson – Co-opted Governor
I am proud to be a newly appointed Governor at Trawden Forest, a school that holds a special place in my heart. I have three children, one of whom is currently in Year 4 so I understand how important it is to have a school that can support children whilst providing a thriving environment. Professionally, I have a background in Finance and currently serve as a Finance Director for a local company. Over the years, I’ve built a reputation for streamlining business processes and finding cost-effective solutions. Beyond finance, I’m passionate about Special Educational Needs, neurodiversity, and mental health and well-being. Trawden Forest is a wonderful community school, and I’m excited to contribute to its continued success and development.
Aimee Owen – Parent Governor.
I was gladly elected as parent governor in 2025. As a parent I have been so impressed by all that Trawden Forest school do for the children that attend. I live locally and have two children, as a family we love music and spending time out in nature taking in the countryside where we live.
I have worked with young people extensively over the last 20 years in my career as a Mental Health Nurse and a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist within the NHS, I specialise in trauma informed care. My profession has given me opportunities to work all over the world. I am attuned to the role schools play in the development of our children and how their experiences at school can shape the people they will become.
My husband and I are the co-founders of Colne Blues Society - a Not for Profit Organisation ensuring the longevity of live music in our local community. As a family we proactively engage in our local live music scene.
Joining the board of governors is a way for me to contribute to the high standards and ethos of the school, always keeping the children at the heart of all I do. It’s my privilege to be on the board.