Governance
WHAT DOES THE Local Advisory BODY DO?
The Local Advisory Body (LAB) is part of Orion Education’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 1390)
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Bryony SwainInterim Chair
Bryony Swain
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Vanitha ArulappuCo-Opted
Vanitha Arulappu
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Helen Bushell MovahediCo-Opted
Helen Bushell Movahedi
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Paul CharlesworthCo-Opted
Paul Charlesworth
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Alex DrydenCo-Opted
Alex Dryden
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Helen SewardCo-Opted
Helen Seward
I am a Co‑opted Governor with over 20 years' experience teaching Science. I am currently a Lead Teacher, Head of Year and Curriculum Strategy Lead for Science at Trust level, working to support curriculum development and improvement across local primary and secondary schools.
I have recently completed the NPQ in Leading Behaviour and Culture and contribute to wider professional development by facilitating Action Learning Sets for middle and senior leaders. My work is rooted in a strong belief in collaboration, high‑quality teaching, and a clear, coherent curriculum.
As a governor, I am committed to supporting the school in securing the best possible outcomes for all students, ensuring that both academic achievement and student wellbeing remain at the heart of its work. I feel privileged to contribute to the ongoing development of the school and its community.
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VacancyCo-Opted
Vacancy
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Julian BrownParent Governor
Julian Brown
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Nicola MartinParent Governor
Nicola Martin
I am the SEND Link Governor at the school. I have worked in education since the early 2000s, as a secondary school speech and language therapist. I now also manage a multi-disciplinary therapy team of professionals, working closely with children and their families, education settings and local authorities.
My focus as SEND Link Governor is to champion inclusion, through improved education quality and access for all children, as well as supporting the sense of belonging, well-being and social experiences for students with learning needs and differences.
I feel privileged to be part of the journey for the school, its students, families and staff team.
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Mr A LangeStaff Governor
Mr A Lange
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Mr J O'SullivanStaff Governor
Mr J O'Sullivan
I am a passionate educator and former Post-16 student at The Ravensbourne School, where my journey in the Creative arts truly began. Over the past four and a half years, I have been teaching photography and art, combining my educational background with valuable industry experience to inspire and support students in their creative development.
Alongside my teaching role, I'm also a Staff Governor. To me, this role represents an opportunity to amplify the voices of both staff and students, contribute meaningfully to the schools' mission, and help shape an environment where everyone can thrive. I value being part of important decision-making processes and ensuring that wellbeing, inclusion, and high-quality education remain at the heart of everything we do.
I am committed to a holistic approach to a student's education, recognising that creativity plays a vital role in building confidence, identity, and emotional wellbeing. I strongly support the arts as an essential part of education, ensuring students not only develop technical skills but also learn to express themselves and think critically about the world around them.
Through my work, I strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment where creativity and wellbeing go hand in hand, empowering staff and students to thrive through the education system and as individuals.
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Mr M RidleyEx-Officio
Mr M Ridley
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Mr P PatelEx-Officio
Mr P Patel
HOW DOES THE Local Advisory BODY PERFORM ITS ROLE?
At the Ravensbourne 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
Please click the link below for the Local Advisory Body meeting attendance:
The Ravensbourne School - 2021-22 - Meeting Attendance 1
The Ravensbourne School - LAB Member Attendance for 2022-23
The Ravensbourne School - LAB Meeting Attendance 2023-24
The Ravensbourne School - LAB Meeting Attendance 2024-25
Please click the link below 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: Governors@orionedu.org.uk