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
Kevin Hobson – Chair
Kevin has worked as a civil servant for over 10 years as well as in sales and customer service roles.
In his time as a civil servant, he has covered a variety of roles that will be useful to Yewdale Primary School’s LAB, including finance, workforce planning and other business support roles. Kevin has been a work coach helping people get the right support whether it be financial or help in getting back to work.
Growing up, Kevin lived in a pub which, like a school, can be a nucleus to a community and this upbringing has given him the belief that a community is made up of all its parts whether it be large or small.
Cate Floyd – Executive Principal
After 12 years in education, working across the country in a variety of settings and alongside national bodies such as the North West Maths Hub, Cate moved from Accrington to join the CET Leadership team to take on her first headship at Longtown Primary School in 2017. She believes that all children are entitled to the very best education and that it is important to work within a school improvement model to develop sustainable change, for the benefit of young people.
After successfully securing their first ‘Good’ judgement at Longtown Primary School, she then took on her second headship within the Trust. At Yanwath Primary School, she ensured that they, as a leadership team, continued to provide a sustainable school improvement model where the mental health and wellbeing of both children and staff were at the heart of all decisions being made.
Perrie Gibson – Staff LAB member
Perrie teaches Year 2 at Yewdale Primary School. She began her career working with Looked After Children before moving onto working in education as a Behavioural Assistant at William Howard School.
Perrie completed a PGCE in Primary Education at the University of Cumbria, joining Yewdale Primary School for her final placement. Perrie became a full-time member of the teaching team in December 2021.
Anna Harmse – Parent LAB member
Anna is married with two lovely children. Anna works as a primary school teacher in a small rural school, which she really enjoys. She loves spending her weekends going on walks and days out with her family. Her children keep her very busy, but being their mum is an absolute pleasure.
Amanda McAree – LAB member and Safeguarding Lead
Amanda is a Senior Assistant Headteacher at Newman Catholic School with responsibilities for student welfare and pastoral care, line management of the SENCo, Heads of Year, senior learning mentors, Attendance Officer and Student Support Officer. She is also the designated Safeguarding Officer and designated teacher for Children Looked After and has an overview of the Sixth Form and the Religious Education department.
Amanda has been a teacher for 25 years, having held roles within curriculum and pastoral areas.
Amanda is passionate about ensuring that students have the best education possible and is thrilled to be part of the Yewdale’s LAB.
Having been in education for a long time, covering a variety of roles, Amanda is fully aware of local and national education issues and believes we should always do what is right for our students whilst holding staff accountable.
Danielle Pearl – Parent 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.
John White – LAB member
John is an experienced mechanical engineer and director of local business Cumbria Mechanical.
He brings a wealth of experience in fostering and maintaining relationships with both employees and staff, leading a large team and workforce. John has strong local connections with an active role in the business community in Carlisle and across Cumbria.
John has prior experience in the education sector, dealing with large trusts and academies and has a strong interest in investment in the care and development of young people. He is actively involved as a sponsor of Carlisle Youth Zone and enjoys being able to contribute to a vital resource for young people in the community.
LAB members in the previous 12 months:
None
LAB Meeting Minutes and other information
If you would like any meeting minutes from previous years, please email governance@cumbriaeducationtrust.org.