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 Castle Park Primary 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 |
LAB Members
We are currently accepting LAB member applications for Castle Park Primary School. You can express your interest in becoming a governor below.
The link will take you to Cumbria Education Trust’s Governance webpage.
Chair – Vacancy
Apply here
Helen Ainsworth – LAB member
Helen trained as a secondary Science teacher and taught science up to A-Level Chemistry, both in the state and private sectors. Helen then left teaching to do a masters in Clean technology – all to do with industry and the environment. Helen wanted to use her science knowledge and apply it to industry. She took up a job with the Environment Agency in Penrith as an Environment Officer – regulating water, agriculture and the waste industry.
Helen has worked for United Utilities for the last 15 years – regulating all the businesses in south Cumbria that discharge industrial effluent into the sewers. Helen’s job involves writing consents, collecting effluent samples, working with industries when things go wrong and, ultimately, enforcement action. Helen loves her job and never know what’s going to happen next!
Helen has been a governor/trustee at Castle Park School since 2019. Helen looks forwards to the next step of the school’s journey as part of CET and all the extra support, ideas and enthusiasm that CET will bring to the school community.
Beth Billington – LAB member
Originally from Essex, Beth moved to Kendal as a child where she herself attended Castle Park School. She had an inspirational music teacher there who inspired and encouraged her love of music. After gaining a degree in music, Beth trained to be a teacher, and has taught across the whole age range from pre-school to post-compulsory education, finally specialising in primary, and more recently music for pre-school children. Beth has extensive experience teaching instrumental and curriculum music lessons across the North West, including running her own music school and managing a team of teachers for 10 years, as well as advising primary schools on their music provision. She moved to Manchester where she gained her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, and now works in schools and groups in Cumbria. Beth is particularly interested in equality and inclusion in her work, and is currently studying for a formal qualification in music education for children aged 0 – 5.
She loves spending time in the Lake District with her husband and 3 young children, and has just completed her first half-marathon!
Beth has been a governor at Castle Park School since 2022 and in that time has been vice-chair and acting chair of governors. She loves spending time in school and is looking forward to working with CET to continue to develop the school’s commitment to providing the best education for our children.
Fiona Close – LAB member
Wendy Gibson – LAB member
Name Publicly Withheld – LAB member
Sian Pittman – Parent LAB member
Subject to DBS clearance
Sian grew up in Kendal, attending Castle Park School herself.
She has been a teacher in Cumbria for eleven years, and takes a keen interest in teaching and learning.
Her children now attend Castle Park School and she has joined the LAB in order to help support the school’s excellent standards of teaching and care.
In her spare time, she spends time with her family in their garden and in the Lake District.
Jon Silcock – Parent LAB member
Jon has been an active member of the governing body at Castle Park School since 2023. Having had two children attend the school, Jon was eager to contribute to its ongoing success and took the opportunity to volunteer as a parent governor.
Jon has worked in the public sector for 18 years and uses the knowledge and experience he has gained to support and strengthen governance at Castle Park School.
In his spare time, Jon enjoys mountain biking and playing board games with his family.
Clayton Fournier – Staff LAB member
Clayton has been a dedicated class teacher for the past 13 years, with a deep passion for providing children with the highest quality education and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Clayton joined Castle Park School in September 2024 and enjoys being part of the school community. He looks forward to working closely with the Local Advisory Board (LAB) in a collaborative and supportive role, helping to strengthen the school and continue its commitment to its core values. With a strong focus on student development and educational excellence, Clayton is eager to contribute to the ongoing success and growth of Castle Park School.
When not working, Clayton enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children at Coniston Water or exploring the fells.
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.
