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Coopers School

Governance

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Governance

WHAT DOES THE Local Advisory BODY DO?

The Local Advisory Body (LAB) is part of Orion Education Trust’s overall governance arrangements, with specific focus at a local school level. The Local Advisory Body works as a team and is at the heart of how the school operates.

It is responsible for monitoring that the school provides a good quality education and is continually raising educational standards. The Local Advisory Body also encourages and supports effective ways of teaching and learning when reviewing the school aims and policies. This is done together with the Headteacher, who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the school.

In addition to the Local Advisory Body’s main role of helping raise pupils’ standards of achievement, we also:

  • support the school in its strategic direction
  • are accountable for monitoring the performance of the school to parents and the wider community
  • monitor that a balanced and broad curriculum is taught
  • review how the school can encourage pupils’ spiritual, moral, and cultural development
  • monitor that the school is inclusive and provides for all pupils including those with special needs
  • oversee the implementation of policies on a wide range of school issues and monitor their effectiveness
  • support and constructively challenging senior management by gathering views, asking questions, looking at comparable data and discussing what’s best for the school

WHO IS THE Local Advisory BODY?

The current Local Advisory Body is made up as follows:

Governors (ID 1391)

  • Ann Parchment
    Chair of Governors

    Ann Parchment

  • Patrick Ferrity
    Co-Opted

    Patrick Ferrity

  • Lorraine Jeffs
    Co-Opted

    Lorraine Jeffs

    I became a school governor because I strongly value education, community, and working together as part of the wider school team to support children and young people in achieving their potential. Following a fulfilling career as a specialist nurse, I understand the importance of dedication, teamwork and lifelong learning. While working full time, I achieved both a BSc(Hons) and post graduate qualifications, experiences that helped shape both my career and personal values. I believe this has also set a positive example for my three adult sons who have each gone on to achieve their own goals in life.

    I feel privileged to support the school community and help ensure that every child is encouraged, valued and given the opportunity to thrive.

  • Alexandra Langhe
    Co-Opted

    Alexandra Langhe

  • Lynn Newland
    Vice Chair

    Lynn Newland

  • Olaide Olumide
    Co-Opted

    Olaide Olumide

  • Keith Robinson
    Co-Opted

    Keith Robinson

    I have been a co-opted governor for many year at Coopers and seen many changes and improvements. I have been a governor in Croydon and Bromley schools for nearly 40 years and for a period of time I also chaired a small academy trust. Although I have been retired for a number of years I worked in education, mainly secondary, for most of my career. As well as teaching I went on to work as an Additional Inspector for Ofsted, a School Improvement Partner in Croydon and Hackney schools and a tutor on the Qualified Teacher programme. All off this means that I have a good understanding of schools and can empathise with, and challenge, teachers and senior leaders.

  • Lorraine Chang-Edwards
    Parent Governor

    Lorraine Chang-Edwards

  • James Pierce
    Parent Governor

    James Pierce

  • Ms R Jones
    Staff Governor

    Ms R Jones

  • Ms L Paterson
    Staff Governor

    Ms L Paterson

  • Ms M Papachristodoulou
    Ex-Officio

    Ms M Papachristodoulou

HOW DOES THE Local Advisory BODY PERFORM ITS ROLE?

At Orion Coopers School, the Local Advisory Body fulfils these roles through four meetings per year, covering:

  • Safeguarding
  • Quality of Education
  • School Improvement
  • Behaviour and Culture
  • Curriculum
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Staffing
  • Building & Sites

The Local Advisory Body also holds two additional meetings with specific focus on teaching and learning, culture, and ethos. The Local Advisory Body reviews the school’s priorities and strategies for the year ahead and reviews the previous year to monitor the school’s overall performance.

There are also numerous ad-hoc meetings of other groups, working parties as required and specific panels for various procedural reasons.

Key Governance Documents

For the Local Advisory Body meeting attendance:

For the Local Advisory Body School Register of Business Interests:

HOW TO CONTACT THE Local Advisory Body?

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Local Advisory Body or wish to contact the Chair, please email: 

 

Ms Ann Parchment  

Chair of Governors

c/o Coopers School

Hawkwood Lane, Chislehurst, Kent. BR7 5PS

Email: Governors@orionedu.org.uk