Local Advisory Board (LAB)

What is a Local Advisory Board (LAB)?

The Cumbria Education Trust Board Directors delegate to the Local Advisory Board (LAB) members its responsibility and powers as the Governing Body of the school. These responsibilities are discharged by the LAB members in accordance with its constitution, any Cumbria Education Trust Policies and advice from the Department for Education (DFE) and Ofsted.

View the Trust Board members here.

View the Structure Of The Trust Board & LABs And Associated Information here.

The Caldew Lea Primary School LAB is crucial to helping the school to raise standards.

Some of the roles of the LAB are to:

provide the information required by the Trust and not to withhold any information which the Trust reasonably requires;
refer certain decisions to the Trust for approval as set out in the Scheme of Delegation;
report to the Trust Board Directors on the outcomes and progress within a one-week period of each meeting;
act in accordance with the LAB Protocols.

If you have any queries for the LAB or would like to contact the Chair, please email governance@cumbriaeducationtrust.org or telephone 016977 45300.

Composition of Local Advisory Board (LAB) members:

Type of member	Number	Term of office	Elected by who
Chief Executive	1	Indefinite	N/A – by appointment as Chief Executive
Headteacher	1	Indefinite	Appointment as Headteacher by Chief Executive/Trust Board
Sponsor Board member (including Chair and Vice Chair)	Max 7	4 years	By the Cumbria Education Trust Board resolution
Parent Board member	2	3 years	Seconded parent volunteer -applications to be considered by Cumbria Education Trust Board Directors.* *If there are more than 2 applications, an election will take place with all parents eligible to vote
Staff Board member	1	3 years	Staff election If only one member of staff is nominated they are automatically elected

LAB Members

Dr Grace Thomas – Chair

Grace has recently completed her PhD in Social Science and Community Arts at Edge Hill University that she received a three year scholarship to complete. She has worked with arts education and community arts since 2004, as well advocating for disabled artists in the theatre industry.

She has two children at Caldew Lea Primary School and has delivered drama based workshops at the school, as well as assisting the PTA with fundraising events and school activities. She is proud to be part of the school and is passionate about equity of opportunity and outcome in education.

Matt Butler – Director of Primary Improvement and Professional Development

Matt has responsibility for all the primary schools in the Trust and for designing and implementing the School Improvement Framework across those schools. He also leads on the Professional Development across the Trust, specifically the overall blueprint for ensuring that professional development in CET is a sector-leading offer. Matt has a wealth of experience in the sector, having previously worked for two national trusts as a Regional Director and Director of Curriculum and Subject development.

In his spare time, Matt enjoys exploring the Lakes, either cycling or running. When he is not out and about, he is usually busy shuttling his two boys to their football and rugby matches or spending quality time with his wife.

Ayesha Weston – Executive Headteacher

Ayesha has worked in education for 20 years in a variety of quite unique roles. Originally from north of the border, Carlisle has been her adopted home city for over 13 years.

She took up her first leadership role in an alternative provision setting, as leader of the primary phase in a local Pupil Referral Unit. Following this, her first Headship, in contrast, was as Head of a small ‘Outstanding’ Church of England primary academy, where she spent five years.

Ayesha joined CET in September 2019 as Headteacher of Caldew Lea Primary School. The school already had a special place in her heart, as it was the school in which she completed her teacher training.

Sue Newstead – Interim Lead Director

Sarah Scott – Staff LAB member

Sarah has worked at Caldew Lea Primary School since September 2017. She works as the Engagement and Wellbeing Officer and also the Deputy Safeguarding Lead.

Sarah is based in the Inclusion room and her role covers attendance, attending meetings with families in the school and working 1:1 and in groups with the children.

Sarah’s previous history includes working as an advocate to give children a voice. She also worked for Children’s services for 7 years as a Family Worker and Education Welfare Officer.

Sarah believes in inclusion and ensuring that all children get the best possible outcomes and that the children are at the centre of everything.

Laura Lang – LAB member and Safeguarding Lead

(Subject to DBS clearance)

Danielle Pearl – LAB member

Danielle has a degree in Performing Arts from the University of Cumbria and has worked in various professional roles in this capacity since graduating in 2009.

She is the director of a local children’s charity, which promotes self-belief and confidence in young children. She is passionate about the wellbeing of children. She strongly believes that all children deserve positive childhood experiences, both inside and outside of school. She has a child who attends Caldew Lea Primary School and has delivered drama workshops in the school.

Kiaria Ritson – Parent LAB member

(Subject to DBS clearance)

Kevin Smith – LAB member

Kevin is retired after spending most of his working life in the Royal Military Police and the Metropolitan Police.

In 1977, he commanded the Gurkha Military Police close protection units.
He was based in both Hong Kong and Nepal for 13 years and made many friends from the South Asian community.

Kevin was a School Governor in the early 1980s and again more recently at Great Orton Primary School.

He is currently the treasurer of a UK charity called Images of Nepal, which sponsors education for children in Kirtipur, Nepal.

Kevin is the Branch Community Support Representative for the Carlisle and Stanwix Royal British Legion.