Governors
Message from the Chair of Governors – Low Ash Primary School
Hello, my name is Emma Lister, and I am proud to serve as the Chair of Governors at Low Ash Primary School. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share a little about my journey with the school and the passion I have for supporting our fantastic community.
I have had the privilege of being a governor at Low Ash since 2007, originally joining as a Parent Governor when my eldest child started in Reception. All three of my children went on to attend Low Ash and still speak fondly of their time at the school. Although they have since moved on, my commitment to Low Ash has remained as strong as ever, and I now serve as a Co-opted Governor.
Having grown up in Wrose and later returning to raise my family before moving to Idle in 2019, Low Ash has always felt like a central part of the community I care deeply about. What has always stood out to me about Low Ash is the strong set of values that sit at the heart of the school. The focus on kindness, respect, resilience, and high aspiration is not just something written in a policy or displayed on a wall – it is lived every day by staff, pupils, and leaders alike. As a school, Low Ash is deeply committed to nurturing confident, curious, and capable young people who are ready for the next steps in their education and for life beyond the classroom. This ethos shapes the well-rounded, ambitious curriculum and the many enriching experiences offered to all children, regardless of background or ability. It is this commitment to inclusivity and opportunity that I am especially proud to champion.
In my professional life, I am the Head of HR for a large facilities management organisation, where I sit on a senior leadership team and shape the people strategy for my business area. With a career spent working across multiple sectors within HR, I bring a strong foundation in people leadership, organisational development, and strategic planning to my role as Chair. This helps me act as a constructive and supportive “critical friend” to the school’s senior leaders, particularly to Mrs Medhurst.
As a governing body, our role is to ensure that the school’s values and vision are reflected not only in daily practice but in long-term planning and improvement. We work closely with senior leaders to provide both support and challenge, ensuring that decisions are well-informed, strategic, and centred around the needs of the children. This includes monitoring progress against the School Development Plan, championing ambition for all pupils, and ensuring resources are used effectively to support the school’s priorities.
Above all, our aim as governors is to help create an environment where children feel safe, welcomed, inspired, and able to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. It has been a privilege to witness and contribute to the school’s continued improvement over the years, and I am incredibly proud of the dedication shown by staff, leaders, governors, and the wider community. I look forward to continuing to support Low Ash as we work together to provide exceptional education and memorable experiences for every child in our care.
