Local Academy Board (LAB)

The Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust (DoWMAT) has overall responsibility for the school and the Local Academy Board (LAB) acts at a local level to have an oversight and hold the Headteacher and senior leaders to account. The LAB relaces what was previously known as the Governing Body of the school.

What does the LAB do?

The responsibilities of the LAB are to:

• Support strategic management and operational oversight
• Represent any local views and issues
• Ensure that the pupils are part of a successful academy with provides them with a good education and supports their holistic well-being
• Promote high standards and uphold the Christian distinctiveness

The DoWMAT Scheme of Delegation states the specific role of the LAB (see below).

Who are the members of the LAB?

The LAB members are a group of like-minded people with an interest in education. The Board members work hard to support staff and pupils of the school and act as a critical friend.

The current members of the board are:

Name	Type of Member	End of Term
Ms. A Hickman-Smith	Co-opted Governor	14/06/2027
Mrs. K Bavington	Staff Governor	01/09/2025
Mrs. L Guest	Foundation Governor	25/05/2027
Rev. R Hackett	Foundation Governor	N/A
Mrs. K Harvey	Headteacher	N/A
Ms. E Jewkes	Parent Governor	13/11/2026
Mrs. S Ridley	Foundation Member	07/12/2025
Ms. M Hollis	Co-opted Governor	25/05/2027
Mr. L Hamblett	Parent Governor	08/10/2027

Contacting the LAB

If you have an issue that you need to discuss, then please contact your child’s teacher in the first instance. The Headteacher can also be contacted through the school office.

If you have been in contact with the school and need to raise a matter with the LAB. Please contact Miss Hickman Smith – (Chair) at governors@netherton.dudley.sch.uk

A message from the Chair

I am proud and delighted to be Chair of Governors at Netherton CE Primary School.

Having been a governor for the last 11 years and chair since 2016. I know what a great school Netherton CE is with dedicated and passionate staff and talented and hard-working pupils. I also know that the Governing Body has recently been reformed, although we are still looking for parent governors. 

Netherton CE has been part of the Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust (DoWMAT) since 2017. Within this Trust the Local Academy Board (LAB) has a number of particular responsibilities. These include:

• Ensuring clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction

• Holding leaders to account for the educational performance of the school

• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure the money is well spent

• Ensuring the voices of stakeholders are heard

The LAB meet each half-term and within these meetings we monitor the impact of the school’s spending, particularly with regard to the pupil premium, sports premium and special educational needs grants. Additionally, we monitor, review and agree all relevant school policies. Governors also have individual responsibilities to monitor and review a variety of areas within the school. These include, but are not limited to: special needs, safeguarding, attendance and the curriculum. In order for us to carry this out, governors visit the school regularly and report back on their findings.

We are always looking for parent governors to join our team. Look out for information on the school website or via ClassDojo.

We are always willing to listen and help, if required, and can be contacted via the school.

Very best wishes,

Miss A. Hickman-Smith

Governors Business Interests 

A copy of the Governors Business interests can be obtained on request from the school.

Becoming a Governor

The Diocese of Worcester Multi Academy Trust is looking for interested parties to train as Governors to lead its academies through the next stage of development. Our vision is to create and sustain a family of academies which provide children of all faiths and none with excellent educational provision within a distinctively caring and supportive Christian ethos.

This is an exciting opportunity to encourage best practice within an expanding and exciting, diverse Christian school family. We are currently twelve academies with a further three academy orders in place which will increase our academies to fifteen. Our current academies are in Evesham, Pershore, Malvern, Dudley and Kidderminster.

This is a fascinating opportunity to lead church schools and develop their influence across the region. You will work with the executive leadership team and the board of directors to deliver the Trust’s vision of excellent learning and outcomes achieved through strong leadership, professional collaboration and innovation in teaching and learning. Full training is available for this important role.

Further details of DoWMAT and its academies can be found on the website www.dowmat.education.

This role requires an enhanced DBS check.

The start date for this role will be agreed with the successful candidate.

If you would like to discuss this role and our work at the Diocese of Worcester MAT, then please contact the CEO, Claire Davies – claire.davies@dowmat.education.

Interviews

Applicants will be contacted to discuss their application and the current positions available within the Trust.

References and eligibility

All appointments are subject to satisfactory references, eligibility to work in the UK and a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.