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 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 John Storr – LAB Chair (Joint Safeguarding Lead)
John was born and educated in South Africa and moved to the United Kingdom in 1980.
He has worked as a Consultant Paediatrician at the Cumberland Infirmary for 23 years, retiring in 2015. In that role he gained experience as a Clinical Director and in Child Safeguarding (including a period as named doctor).
John’s outside interests include walking and kayaking (Level 2 coach). He is married to a local GP and their two sons were pupils at William Howard School.
James Porter – LAB Vice Chair
James has been involved with education for many years. His desire is to see every young person achieve their full potential so it is his privilege and honour to serve on the LAB at William Howard School.
For three years James was a Governor at a special needs school chairing the Assets and Resources Committee, and being the Governor responsible for Health and Safety. During that time James carried through a £1m+ capital programme to improve school facilities and build a Sixth Form. James was also a Governor at a secondary school where he served on the Finance, Curriculum and HR committees.
James was a Local Councillor for 8 years, serving 4 years as the Chairman of the Planning Committee and 3 years as Policy Committee Chairman forming, informing and leading policy development and implementation. James was Town Mayor in 2009.
James retired in 2010 to focus on voluntary and educational activities which he feels passionate about. He is glad to be playing his part in the continuing success of William Howard School.
Kath Pigdon – Headteacher
Kath is passionate about driving William Howard School to the next stage of its journey. She believes fully in the Trust’s vision and values and works hard to instil this in staff, students and her own children.
Although Kath has over a decade of experience in Senior Leadership, she believes her most valuable lessons in leadership and life have come from competing at the highest level in her chosen sport – canoe slalom.
Anna Carroll – Headteacher at Longtown Primary School
Anna relocated from Suffolk to attend University in Carlisle. After falling in love with the beautiful countryside, she decided to stay and began her career in Haltwhistle.
Anna then worked at Yewdale Primary School prior to it joining CET and has since progressed in her career with a Deputy Head role at Caldew Lea, she then took her first Headship at Castle Carrock Primary and is presently the Headteacher at Longtown Primary School.
Anna passionately believes in providing a broad and balanced education, which recognises and celebrates the talents of each child enabling them to grow in confidence, develop a sense of responsibility whilst achieving their full potential. Whilst not at work, Anna enjoys spending time with her three young children.
Jackie Kirsopp – LAB member
Jackie is a chartered accountant with 12 years post qualification experience in practice. She is also a qualified Insolvency Practitioner, and provides a lot of practical trading assistance to all nature of businesses, mostly in Cumbria. Jackie would hope to bring this experience to the WHS LAB.
Jackie has lived in the local area the majority of her life and has a keen interest in WHS. After doing her GCSE’s at Lochinvar School, she studied for A levels at WHS, before moving onto University. Jackie made great lifelong friends at WHS, and believes the school helped her obtain the best results she could.
Jackie’s own young sons will attend WHS in the future and Jackie is excited to be a part of the journey the school is taking, with all the challenges arising.
Eleanor Dobson – Parent LAB member
Eleanor moved with her family to the North West two years ago from the North East. She has over 20 years of experience within the Primary Education sector in a range of senior roles from Local Authority consultancy work to School Improvement and Headship. She has also sat on Ofsted’s Complaints Board. She is now in her third Headship at Norman Street Primary School in Carlisle. Eleanor’s particular area of interest is in ensuring opportunity for all children. She is looking forward to becoming part of a wider community who support the vision of an all-encompassing curriculum, rich in real-life experiences and underpinned by academic excellence.
She has one son already in attendance at WHS; her two daughters are also due to attend WHS.
Joanna Gray – Parent LAB member (Joint Safeguarding Lead)
In spring 2018 Joanna moved to Brampton with her family from Darlington where they had lived for five years. Prior to this Joanna was born, raised and educated in the Newcastle area.
Having attended the local comprehensive school Joanna is passionate about every child having access to a good education and the opportunities this can bring.
Joanna heads up the Audit & Assurance team at Armstrong Watson and has a specialism in education and not-for-profit. With 22 years’ experience in the audit profession, in addition to sitting on boards at others schools, charities and companies Joanna is keen to share this experience at WHS.
Joanna has two children who both attend WHS.
Sharon Angland – Staff LAB member
Ms Angland has taught for more than 30 years, initially qualifying to teach English and History before following her heart into Computer Science. She joined William Howard School as Subject Lead for Computing and IT in September 2012.
A believer in the value of learning within and beyond the classroom, she holds Microsoft Innovator Educator Expert status and continues to study for additional professional qualifications, so she knows about getting homework done on time! In September 2023 she ensured William Howard School gained the Computing Quality Mark and is heading the School ambition to become a Showcase School.
LAB members in the previous 12 months:
- Sarah Threlkeld-Brown – resigned 04/09/2025
- Sheila Johnston – resigned 10/07/2025
LAB Meeting Minutes and other information
2025/2026
If you cannot see any downloads below, it is because the LAB have yet to meet this academic year. Once the minutes are available, they will display below.
2024/2025
If you would like any meeting minutes from previous years, please email governance@cumbriaeducationtrust.org or telephone 016977 45300.