Local Advisory Board

What is a Local Advisory Board (LAB)?

The Northampton International Academy Local Advisory Board is the local tier of governance of East Midlands Academy Trust, and it acts as a sub-committee to the Trust Board. Members of the Local Advisory Board as known as Governors.

The key roles of the LAB are:

To offer proactive support and constructive challenge to the Headteacher
To advise the board of trustees about local issues they need to consider that affect the academy.
To ensure that EMAT vision, mission and values are evident throughout the Academy
Represent the local community.
Represent the Academy in its community.

These roles translate specifically into the following tasks:

ensure that all children receive the best possible education
ensure safeguarding is effective
support the Headteacher and Senior Leadership Team in the development and implementation of the School Development Plan and other relevant plans,
ensure the implementation of Academy policies.
regularly review the Academy’s performance.
oversee and monitor the effectiveness of local strategies
act as a key link between the Academy, parents, and local community.
support the work of the Academy in the community.

The LAB’s role is not to manage the Academy as such. This is done through the Board of Trustees. Therefore, the LAB is not required to take decisions on staff or financial matters affecting the Academy.

Governors at the LAB will gain an understanding of strategic issues that impact on the Academy and will be updated on them regularly by the Headteacher, but they are not required to have direct responsibility for them. Instead the LAB should be in a position to assess the impact of the Academy locally; how it is contributing to the local community, how it is relating to local families and how it understands local issues. This in turn, will enable the LAB to contribute effectively to decisions which may require LAB involvement.

The LAB is drawn from the staff of the school, parents and the wider community that the school serves. The usual term of office for a governor is four years but many members of the LAB stand for re-election and serve more than one term. Members of a LAB need to take a full and active role in fulfilling the role assigned to them by the Board. This will include regular visits to the Academy and attending up to six meetings per year.

To contact any of our governors, please email governance@emat.uk

Name	Position
Martin Serráo	Executive headteacher
Paul Freeland	Staff governor
Emmanuel Terngu Vanger	Parent governor
Carrie-Anne Hall	Parent governor
Russell Norton	Co-opted governor
Andrew Hill	Co-opted governor (Chair)
Raphael Brown	Co-opted governor
Becca Williams	Co-opted governor
Anne O'Brien	Co-opted governor
Sonia Marange	Co-opted governor

Meet our governors

Russell Norton

Russell joined the NIA Local Area Board in March 2019 as a co-opted governor. His background is in developing and managing energy and commodities business recently focused on low emissions solutions. He has spent over 20 years working in Asia and also lived in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Russell grew up in Maidstone, Kent and has a M.Eng degree in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London.

Andrew Hill

Andy has been a professional educator for over 40 years and began his teaching career in Northampton and Wellingborough. Andy moved into International Education as an English teacher in Italy before becoming a Head of School in the USA, France, Belgium, Monaco, Kuwait and central Africa.

Andy has returned to Northants after ending his international career as a consultant and schools inspector for international schools. Andy qualified with a teaching degree from the University of Leicester at Nene College Moulton Park and completed his Masters in curriculum design at Michigan State University in the USA. Andy is also a qualified teacher of History with the International Baccalaureate.

Andy was Board Chair at Antwerp British School in Belgium for over ten years and has accredited school boards worldwide through his association with the Council of International Schools. As a student and NQT Andy lived in the neighborhood and on his return to the UK last year was intrigued by the international nature of the school, in particular the number of nationalities and languages spoken mirrors his own experience as an educator. Andy hopes his experience will assist the school moving forward.

Carrie-Anne Hall

Carrie-Anne has lived in Northampton for over 30 years and has worked in the service and leisure industry. She has been a parent governor since the spring of 2023 and is passionate about the role and is keen to ensure every pupil can be the best they can be at NIA. Carrie-Anne has embraced the role of governor and has undertaken numerous training courses to improve hew knowledge and understanding of the role. She has three children currently attending NIA, with one of these starting in reception when it first opened. She also has a child that has SEND which means she interacts with various staff members across the school and to help ensure SEND pupils receive the appropriate support they need. Carrie-Anne can often be seen in and around the school during the start and end of the day and would be happy to discuss the role of governor.

Raphael Brown

Mr Brown has been a dedicated primary school teacher for over 10 years, during which he has developed expertise in curriculum design, mentoring colleagues, and leading core subject areas. He is passionate about improving Quality First Teaching (QFT) methods and is committed to enhancing pupil development by intergrating soft skills within the educational experience.

Mr Brown holds several professional qualifications, including an MA in Educational Innovation, a BA (Hons) in Business Management and Geography, a PGCE, and certifications such as MCCT, NPQSL and NPQLTD. These qualifications highlight his commitment to ongoing professional development and educational excellence.

In terms of governance experience, Mr Brown has served as a school governor for three years as a staff member, where he contributed to key decisions regarding pupil attainment, budget management, and strategic planning. This experience has given him valuable insights into the responsibilities and impact of school governance.

Living locally, Mr Brown has a strong connection with the school and it's community. He has engaged with pupils through local masjid youth clubs and understands the importance of a governance body that reflects the diverse makeup of the community. As a member of the BAME community, Mr. Brown is committed to ensuring that the school's governance is inclusive and representative of all it's stakeholders.

Anne O'Brien

A Primary School teacher since 1976, Anne is now in semi-retirement and working at The University of Northampton as Associate Lecturer and Moderation Tutor in the Faculty of Health, Education and Society. She taught abroad in Primary schools and for the British Council in Doha, Qatar for many years before returning with her family in 2000 to teach for the Local Authority in Northampton.

Anne graduated from Roehampton Institute and was awarded her Teaching Degree by London University; she also holds the National Professional Qualification for Headship. She worked as the Deputy Headteacher at a local Northampton Town school for 15 years before retirement and has significant experience in school leadership, safeguarding and Early Years provision. Anne has held positions on governing boards throughout her career including as Head, parent governor, teacher representative and senior leader.

Anne lives in the Semilong area, near the Northampton International Academy, and remembers the site in its previous state as Post Office. She has watched with professional interest as the Academy has become established. She is keen to offer her support as it continues to grow in strength to deliver Quality Learning and Teaching.

Becca Williams

Biography to follow

Paul Freeland

Biography to follow

Emmanuel Terngu Vanger

Biography to follow