Dear Parents
Do you want to get involved in the running of your local Academy Local Advisory Board?
An exciting opportunity is available for you to join our Local Advisory Board (previously known as the Governing Body) at William Howard School. There is one vacancy available for Parent LAB members.
As Trusts and Academies become more autonomous, there is a need for very strong and effective governance. We are looking to attract the right mix of members to join our Local Advisory Board, working at a local level in supporting and challenging leaders and holding them to account.
What criteria do you need to satisfy to become a Parent member of the Local Advisory Board?
We are looking for local people with different skill sets including a sense of community spirit, Finance and Business Management, Legal & Compliance, HR, Education, Safeguarding and Health. The post is voluntary and is a rewarding way of contributing to a positive future for local children.
Parent Local Advisory Board members must be a parent/carer of registered students at William Howard School. If your child/children have fewer than two years left at William Howard School, you are still eligible to stand for appointment and to serve out the full three-year term, if you wish to do so.
Parent Local Advisory Board members have exactly the same duties, responsibilities and rights as all other categories of Local Advisory Board members, bringing their own individual perspective to the discussion and debate that determine the policies of William Howard School.
Are you:
- enthusiastic about the success and well-being of your local Academy, its staff and students
- would like the opportunity to work alongside other members in the best interests of the local Academy and the community
- would like to be part of a team who actively promote and support the Academy’s vision and values
- able to commit to a term of membership of three years
- able to attend four meetings a year, visit the Academy termly and get involved with various training opportunities
What does the Local Advisory Board do?
The Local Advisory Boards (LAB) act as an informal committee of the Trust Board. The LAB members are appointed by the Trust Board and carry out their function in relation to their respective Academy/academy on behalf of the Trust Board and in accordance with the policies determined by the Trust Board.
The Local Advisory Board follows an agreed Scheme of Delegation (Structure of the Trust Board & LABs and Associated Information – Cumbria Education Trust.) The Scheme sets out the requirements of the Trust and details where the Trustees delegate responsibility to the Local Advisory Board members in the decision making for the Academy.
How is the Local Advisory Board constituted?
| Type of member | Number | Term of office | Elected by who |
| CEO | 1 | Indefinite | N/A – by appointment as CEO |
| Headteacher | 1 | Indefinite | Appointment as Headteacher by CEO/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 |
Are you interested in being a Parent Local Advisory Board member for William Howard School?
If you would like to put yourself forward for consideration for Parent Local Advisory Board member, please complete the Expression of Interest form below and send to Mrs L M Hewson, Governance Professional, Cumbria Education Trust by email on lhewson@cumbriaeducationtrust.org by Friday, 6 October 2023.
This is a voluntary role, subject to DBS clearance.
Applicants will be informed in writing, of the outcome of this application process. Details of the successful applicant will be available on the School’s website thereafter.
Yours sincerely
Mr J Storr
Chair, Local Advisory Board
