Local Advisory Board

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

Mary-Ann Lancaster – Acting Chair

Gemma Brierley – Executive Headteacher

After completing a BA (Hons) in Primary Education in Newcastle, Gemma began her teaching career at a large primary school in South East London. Over the next 20 years, Gemma taught across three other schools in Kent, including serving as a Headteacher.

Following her family’s relocation to Cumbria in October 2020, Gemma joined CET as the Headteacher of Yewdale Primary School and is now Executive Headteacher of Northside Primary School.

She ensures all children enjoy a wide range of experiences which bring the curriculum to life and make learning fun. She works with her dedicated staff to ensure the best possible quality of education for the children in every year group.

Mark Bedford – Headteacher at Workington Academy

Before becoming Headteacher, Mark was the Deputy Headteacher of Workington Academy and, prior to this, he worked as a middle and senior leader at William Howard School. He is an experienced Science teacher and has worked in schools in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Cumbria.

Mark has significant experience in post-16 education, having built up over 25 years working in leadership roles in a variety of sixth forms.

Gill George – LAB member (Safeguarding Lead)

Gill used to teach full-time in a large infant school, most of the time in Early Years, and she loves working with children. Gill has three children and six grandchildren who do not live in the area, so is always interested to see their schools or settings when she visits them.

Having been invited to join the Governance team at Northside, Gill has enjoyed getting to know so many delightful people, both adults and children at this schools. It is Gill’s firm belief that if we get social, emotional, communication and physical skills embedded in the early years of a child’s life, then everything else will follow.

Gill’s hobbies include walking, cycling and dancing – she loves to be outdoors. Gill has also volunteered at her local arts centre for 25 years and has met a huge variety of really interesting people with diverse skills. Now that she have more time, she would like to learn a new skill – but always seems to be busy!

Adebanke Odukale – Parent LAB member

Alison Williamson – LAB member

For 17 years, Alison has dedicated herself to educating the young people of Workington. A passionate and committed English teacher at Workington Academy, she understands the profound impact of quality teaching on young lives.

As a member of the Local Authority Board, she is eager to support Northside Primary School and ensure all children in the area have access to the best possible education.