Role of the Local Academy Board

Consilium is a Multi-Academy Trust with a family of eight schools across the North West, North East and Yorkshire.  Within each school a Local Academy Board has been established.  Local Academy Boards (LAB’s) may also be known at other Trusts as ‘Academy Committees’, ‘Local Governing Boards’ or ‘Local Advisory Committees.

Each LAB is composed of different members, usually two Parent places are within the Board.  Parent members are elected through a process which is defined in a key document called the ‘Articles of Association.’

Parent Trustees and Parent LAB members play an important role within the board.  The role is to support the Trust itself and provide insight on behalf of other parents of students who attend the school.  A key function of the LAB is to engage meaningfully with all parents and carers as a whole.  

The Trust Board determines the level of delegation or responsibility which is to be passed to the Local Academy Boards.  This is subject to review on a yearly basis and responsibilities can be added or removed dependant on how well the Trust Board feel that the LAB is managing.  Local Academy Boards are a formal and important part of the governance of Consilium Academies and the contributions of members are very much valued by the Trust Board.  Some of the typical areas which are covered at local level may be;

• Support of the efficient and effective operation of the Trust and its policies
• Support and challenge (where appropriate) to the school leaders
• Share issues and risks with the Trust Board if necessary
• Scrutiny of reports which may be supplied by school leaders or members themselves
• Provide a meaningful link with the community, parents and the students of the school, sharing feedback with the Board, regarding challenges but also to celebrate successes
• Provide feedback to the Trust Board in relation to policies and practices which are personal to the school, (policies which are delegated to the LAB are identified in a document called the Scheme of Delegation.

They also carry out a number of other important duties, which include:

• Determining how the academy’s budget is spent.
• The appointing and dismissing of staff.
• Hearing appeals and grievances.
• Forming policy on the academy’s curriculum and collective worship.
• Setting standards for pupils’ behaviour and discipline.
• Making sure academy buildings are welcoming and safe.
• Setting and monitoring the academy’s aims and policies.

LAB membership and details:

• Committee Membership
• Governing Body Meeting Attendance
• Membership and Vacancies
• Governance and Financial information for our Academy Trust can be found here: https://www.consilium-at.com/page/?title=Governance&pid=22

Newly appointed members:

• Christopher Fairs: Appointed governor 02 Mar 2021 until 1 Mar 2025
• Mrs Punam Khaira O’Driscoll: Appointed governor 01 Feb 2021 until 31 Jan 2025

Should you need to contact Tom Scott, our Chair of the LAB, please do so using the Academy address.