Our Governors

Please see Governor Roles for more information about our governors.

Please click here for Governor Attendance at Meetings 2023-2024

Sarah White – Co-Chair of Governing Body; Governor for Safeguarding, Behaviour & Attendance  

I have lived in St Albans since 2007 and have worked as a teacher and assistant headteacher at a local secondary school. I have one child who currently attends Skyswood and a son who was previously a pupil. This combined experience of the local education community and Skyswood, led me to volunteer my time as a governor and to give something back to the school community.  

My role enables me to work closely with other governors and the senior leadership team at the school. I also attend joint safeguarding meetings and training across the AET.  I can be contacted at whites@skyswood.governor.aetrust.uk

Jo Easter – Co-Chair of Governing Body; Governor for SEND, Pupil Premium & disadvantaged groups

With a degree in English from Durham, I started my working life in book publishing. After having children, I went back to University to retrain as a teacher. 

I have had a varied career in education, including being a primary Class Teacher and SENDCo, Special Needs & Early Maths Adviser, and primary headteacher.  I have a further degree in Early Maths Intervention.  I feel that this experience gives me particular insight in the governor role.

I have lived in St Albans for most of my adult life, with my husband and family. Our children, who are now adults, attended Sandringham School and we live within walking distance of Skyswood. I have two primary age grandchildren. I currently work part time as a trainer in the charity sector, and also volunteer at St Albans Cathedral, helping with school visits.  I can be contacted at easterj@skyswood.governor.aetrust.uk

Lisa Shipley – Sports Premium Governor

I have lived in St Albans for the last eight years and have two children. My eldest child has recently moved on to secondary school and my youngest child is a current pupil at Skyswood. I have been a co-opted governor since 2021 and volunteered because I wanted to support the dedicated Skyswood senior leadership team and teaching staff responsible for creating a fantastic learning environment. In my professional life I am an ICAEW Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Adviser. I have twenty years’ experience working for a leading professional services firm and specialise in international tax policy.

Michelle McColl – Early Years Governor

I joined the Skyswood governing body in 2024 as a Parent Governor with a son in Year 1 and a daughter who will start in September 2025.

I feel privileged to use my skills to support this wonderful school, staffing body and community to continue to flourish.  I have over 20 years experience in finance and for the past 8 years I have held senior leadership positions in the education sector. I am a qualified accountant and have an MBA.  I am currently Chief Operating Officer for a local Multi-Academy Trust.

Tara O'Reilly - Parent Governor

I became a Parent Governor and joined the Skyswood governing body in 2025. My son is in Year 2 and, having lived in Marshalswick for nearly 10 years, I am very keen to lend my support to the staff and students at Skyswood in whatever capacity I can and give something back to this excellent school.

I studied Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering at Southampton University, followed by a technical and business career spanning 30 years at BT, a new media agency and the BBC. Transitioning into education, I have been a deputy head for the past five years at a secondary school in Barnet and I’m responsible for the operational running of the school, including facilities, IT, admissions and all business support functions, along with helping deliver the school’s development plan by working collaboratively with staff and external companies. I’d bring my experience to the parent governor role to be a critical friend for the full four year term.

 Staff Governors

Our staff governors are:

Heidi Lewis and Lisa Foster

Governor Policies

Governors Health & Safety Action Plan

Governors Visits Policy