Local Advisory Boards

Local Advisory Boards are a formal part of the One Excellence Trust governance structure and each is responsible for maintaining the unique identity, community ethos and culture in their school.  Local Advisory Board Members provide an essential link between the Trust, the school, parents and the community. 

• The relationship between LAB’s, particularly between the Chairperson, and the Headteacher is crucial to effective governance. Members work in close partnership while always remembering  that it is the Headteacher’s role to run the school.
• Sufficient professional distance needs to be kept which will let the Headteacher run the school while the Local Advisory Board holds her/him to account.

What does it take to be a good Local Advisory Board Member?

Firstly, we expect all governors to adhere to the 7 principles of public life:

1. Selflessness

Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest.

2. Integrity

Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to people or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

3. Objectivity

Holders of public office must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.

4. Accountability

Holders of public office are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions and must submit themselves to the scrutiny necessary to ensure this.

5. Openness

Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.

6. Honesty

Holders of public office should be truthful.

7. Leadership

Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge poor behaviour wherever it occurs.

We also like to see:

• An open mind
• Empathy and sensitivity
• Confidentiality
• An effective communicator
• Enthusiasm
• A sense of humour
• An ability to focus on ‘the big picture’
• A willingness to learn

On appointment all Local Advisory Board Members will have an up-to-date DBS check and be given safeguarding training.

The Local Advisory Board meets three times per year. Dates are published on the school calendar. All Local Advisory Board Members attend these meetings.

Local Advisory Board Members may, from time to time, be asked to attend additional meetings in school.

• Provide a link between the Local Advisory Board, school and parents or community
• Promote the interests of the subject
• Undertake relevant training and development
• Liaise regularly with relevant teachers
• Visit school
• Monitor and evaluate the provision and use of relevant resources

The Chair person is elected by the Local Advisory Board annually.

The Chair meets, by arrangement with the Headteacher on a regular basis and also attends the Chairs Committee of One Excellence Trust meetings.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and sustain positive professional relationships with the Headteacher and the Academy, LAB Members, Directors and the Clerk / Head of Governance.
• Chair meetings, facilitating involvement of all members and summarising the outcomes of discussion under each agenda item.
• Produce an annual key agenda items schedule and initiate the agenda for each meeting
• Ensure meetings are quorate (three governors) and follow up any attendance issues.
• Approve and sign minutes
• Ensure master copies of policies/procedures under the remit of the council are updated and publicised
• Provide a brief verbal report at each board meeting on outcome of actions noted at previous meeting
• Be familiar with relevant sections of Governors’ Handbook. 
• Identify training/support needs of individual members and research appropriate solutions.
• Support new members, providing them with minutes of recent meetings and any other relevant documents.

The Vice Chair is elected by the Local Advisory Board annually. S/he deputises for the Chair of governors and may be delegated specific roles by the Chair person. For example:

• Recruitment /Induction of new governors
• Collating evidence of governors’ work and impact
• Monitoring governors’ information on school website
• Annual parents’ questionnaire
• Building links with wider school community
• Engagement with parents and carers

The Head of Governance is usually clerk and is part of the team, who also works across several schools in the One Excellence Trust. In conjunction with the Chairperson S/he prepares agendas, takes and circulates action focussed minutes. S/he is able to support with (sources of) information regarding legal issues, training opportunities and advice.