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 Queen Katherine 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 |
Our LAB Members
Paul Forshaw, LAB Chair
Craig Butterworth – Parent LAB member
As a Parent Governor, I bring both professional expertise and personal experience to the role, ensuring that every child gets a fair crack at success, no matter their background or the challenges they face.
My career in branding, marketing, and communications has been all about helping organisations engage people effectively, and I see strong communication between the school, parents, and the wider community as essential to a great education. But beyond that, I also have first-hand experience of the systems that impact children’s lives, having navigated Children’s Services and the Court process to ensure the best outcomes for my own child. I know how vital stability, inclusion, and opportunity are in shaping a child’s future.
I’m committed to making sure that every child, regardless of circumstances, has the support they need to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. I want to help the school build an environment where all students feel safe, valued, and able to achieve their potential.
My role as a governor is about listening, questioning, and ensuring strategic decisions truly serve all pupils. I have a particular interest in equal opportunities, student wellbeing, and parent engagement, and I look forward to working with the school community to help shape a positive, inclusive future for every child.
Wendy Gibson - LAB member
Daniel Hughes - LAB member
Annie McMorland, Staff LAB member
Clive Wickham, Parent LAB member
Phil Wright - LAB member
Over the last 28 years (scarily more than half of my life), I have taught in a range of rural, suburban, inner city and international schools, as well as successfully leading schools in Cornwall, Staffordshire and Malawi. I currently teach at the University of Cumbria, developing the next generation of primary school teachers. I have a passion for challenging disadvantage through increasing children/students’ sense of efficacy and agency and encouraging pedagogy which enables this. I love hiking, fell-running and cycling, as well as travelling as much as possible.
If you would like to apply to become a LAB member, please complete the form below: LAB Member Application Form
LAB Meeting Minutes and other information
If you would like any meeting minutes from previous years, please email governance@cumbriaeducationtrust.org or telephone 016977 45300.
