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
Sarah Davies – Headteacher
Sarah has had a rich and varied career in education including two years’ teaching experience in Australia and a further 11 years’ experience teaching and leading in primary settings across a diverse range of schools in London, Sheffield and Cumbria.
As a Specialist Leader in education, Sarah has worked collaboratively with numerous multi-academy trusts to improve outcomes for all children through effective mentoring and strategic leadership. She believes strongly that each child should be given every opportunity to reach their full potential.
Eleasha Green – Parent LAB Member
Emma Jackson – Parent LAB Member
Lucy Peile – Staff LAB Member
Lucy joined the teaching team at Yanwath Primary School in September 2021. She started as an Early Careers teacher and has now completed this to become a teacher.
In July 2021, Lucy graduated from Cumbria University in Carlisle with a BA degree in Primary Education (3-11) with QTS. Lucy holds a Science subject leadership role and leads the school council within Yanwath.
Outside of work, Lucy enjoys being outside on her family farm and playing netball. As a staff LAB member, Lucy is looking forward to helping Cumbria Education Trust continue to strengthen by working closely with the LAB in a collaborative manner, continuing to support the school’s values.
Hannah Starr – LAB Member
Revd Geoff Withers – LAB Member
The Vicar of Barton Benefice – Barton, Martindale and Pooley Bridge
Geoff spent his formative years living in Belfast and read Chemistry at Queen’s University Belfast. Following graduation, he transferred to read Theology at Trinity College Dublin and was ordained into the Church of Ireland. After Parish roles in Ballymena and Belfast, Geoff joined the Chaplains’ Branch of the Royal Air Force and served for 23 years before taking up his current role as Vicar in August 2023. Having travelled extensively over the years and served many different communities, Geoff is privileged and humbled to have been invited to apply as a LAB member and to be able to support, encourage and to engage with the staffs, pupils and families associated with Yanwath Primary School.
Geoff is married to Jenny, an MOD Civil Servant and the professional lead as Chief Community Development Advisor for the Royal Air Force. Living in Pooley Bridge with their two Red Setters (Noah and Reuben) – they enjoy the fells, good food, good wine and good company.
LAB members in the previous 12 months:
- Richard Green – term of office ended 18/07/2025
- Hannah Mason – resigned 19/06/2025
- Emma Fleming – resigned 19/11/2024
LAB Meeting Minutes and other information
2025/2026
If you cannot see any downloads below, it is because the LAB have yet to meet this academic year. Once the minutes are available, they will display below.
2024/2025
If you would like any meeting minutes from previous years, please email governance@cumbriaeducationtrust.org or telephone 016977 45300.
