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 Kirkby Stephen Grammar 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 KSGS. You can express your interest in becoming a governor below.
The link will take you to Cumbria Education Trust’s Governance webpage.
Tom Martell – Interim LAB Chair
Tom is CET’s Director of Strategy and Operations, who is standing in as the Interim LAB Chair.
Thomas is responsible for collaborating with colleagues across the Trust to design and evaluate the Trust’s approach to school improvement.
Thomas ensures key decisions are made by following the best available research and evidence, which is key to rolling out effective School Improvement Plans.
If you would like become the LAB Chair, you can apply here
Jon Hayes – Executive Headteacher
Jon has been a headteacher for almost 15 years across two different schools. Before that he worked in various leadership positions and as a science teacher in schools across the North West and also in the West Midlands.
Jon is currently working as Interim Executive Headteacher across The Queen Katherine School and Kirkby Stephen Grammar School.
Nic Tweddle – Head of School
Nic Tweddle (NPQH) was appointed as Head of School at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School in September 2025 and is proud to be leading a school at the heart of the Upper Eden community. Originally from the Eden area, Nic feels privileged to return to her roots and work with the young people and families of the local community.
With a passion for education, inclusion and high expectations for all students, Nic is committed to building on the school’s proud history and traditions while leading it confidently into the future as part of CET. She is especially excited about the potential of KSGS – its talented students, dedicated staff, and the opportunities ahead to grow, innovate, and excel.
Nic brings a wealth of experience to KSGS, having been involved with CET since its inception. She has served as a Senior Leader in other CET schools and has led a range of projects across the wider Trust as part of the CET Senior Leadership Team. Motivated daily by the warmth, ambition, and spirit of the KSGS community, Nic is committed to ensuring the school continues to flourish as a centre of educational excellence for the town and the wider area.
Lisa Handley – LAB Member and Safeguarding Lead
Hannah Hall Beddoe – Parent LAB Member
Hannah moved to Kirkby Stephen with her family in 2022 and works as a wedding and lifestyle photographer across Cumbria and the rest of the UK. Previously, she worked as Head of Music in a large urban secondary school in Northamptonshire and joined the governing body as a parent governor at her daughters’ primary school in 2016.
She is passionate about education and the importance of a positive school experience for all young people. She is also keen to support staff to ensure that they can give their best to those they teach.
Hannah has two daughters, one in Year 8 at KSGS and another who’ll be starting in Year 7 this September.
Owen McClatchey – Parent LAB Member
Owen decided to become a LAB member to give back to KSGS and offer support to the pupils, parents and teachers.
He looks forward to school visits and getting to know better the work done to provide a positive school environment. He hopes that he will be able to contribute to the governance team and help to support the provision of in-school and extracurricular activities.
Cath Thompson – Staff LAB Member
LAB Member – Vacancy
Apply here
LAB members in the previous 12 months:
- Caroline Fencott-Beynon – 20/10/2025
- Ruth Steel – 26/01/2026
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.