LAC Members

Local Advisory Committee members are accountable to the Trust Board as well as to the communities they serve. Whilst not trustees under charity law, the LAC members are under a duty to act in good faith and in the interests of the Academy and the Trust.

Details of the authorities delegated by the Trust Board to the Local Advisory Committee are set out in the Scheme of Delegation.

Introducing our Local Advisory Committee

Dr Claire Howard - Chair of the LAC

I have been involved in school governance for over 15 years, as a parent governor, community governor, LAC member and now Chair of the North Chadderton LAC. My experience spans both primary (Thorp Primary school) and secondary school levels. I myself am an ex-pupil from North Chadderton and my own two children have attended this wonderful school.  As a long-standing member of the local community, I am in a key position to help develop links between school and relevant stakeholders, building positive relationships for the future.

My professional background is in the NHS as a clinical researcher and healthcare clinician. My PhD in health services research means I have considerable skills in interpretation and analysis of data, questioning the best practice and dissemination of key findings, all of these skills are translated into my LAC role, which I consider an honour to fulfil.

I have been involved in school governance for over 5 years, as a parent governor and LAC member at Thorp Primary School, and now as a Community Representative within the North Chadderton LAC. My 2 children attend schools in The Oak Trust, and I live within the community the trust serves.  

As a Communications Manager for a bank, I focus on cutting down jargon and making things simple to understand. I work within regulations to manage risk, treat consumers fairly and ensure that their needs are at the center of our decisions. I hope I can bring this perspective and my previous experience to my new role with the North Chadderton LAC.

Karen Winterbottom - Parent member

I am one of the newer members of North Chadderton’s LAC and am delighted to contribute and fulfil this important role. I have lived in Chadderton for most of my life, and both my children attend North Chadderton School.

I have a passion for learning and development and have worked in postgraduate medical education within the NHS for over ten years. My roles involves working closely with both junior doctors and consultants plus a variety of different stakeholders from across a number of settings. Building strong relationships and excellent communication is key and I hope to use these skills to develop and grow within the LAC role.  

Sara Thomas - Parent Member

I am primary school teacher with over 20 years experience. During this time I have held the positions of SENDCO, Early Years Leader and Deputy Head Teacher.

Having now taken a step back from school senior leadership, I still teach in s primary school while also running my own business delivering baby development classes. I also do done work for Manchester Metropolitan University as part of the interview panels for prospective student teachers.

I have extensive experience as a school governor having been the staff governor and then as a Deputy Head, sitting on the board of Governors as an observer.

I have 2 children, the youngest is at primary school and the oldest is currently a student at North Chadderton. 

Claire Cheetham - Community Member

I am an independent educational consultant, providing advice, consultancy, training and strategic leadership support to schools and Local Authorities across the North West. I have over 20 years’ of educational leadership experience having been a Primary Head Teacher for 10 years with a proven track record of School Improvement and Leadership Development. I have worked as an Executive, Interim & Associate Head Teacher. I have worked on commissions in Local Authorities across the North West, including Oldham, Warrington and Sefton, developing School Improvement systems, Early Years support and Leadership CPD.

I am an experienced School Governor and Chair of the Teaching Learning & Safeguarding Advisory & Scrutiny Panel Groundwork Trust Greater Manchester.

Outside the professional side of her life, I enjoy travel and have a Season Ticket for Manchester United.

Daniel McNeill

I am a Royal Navy Veteran after 12 years within the Royal Navy I decided to leave in 2022. My old role within the Royal Navy was a Gunner on several Naval warships. This entailed educating new recruits and other members of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines on weapons that the military are enabled to use.

Having worked within the NHS on leaving the Navy I had a career change. My current role is working for BAE Systems Submarines as Crew Commander – Senior Fire Safety Advisor. In my spare time I volunteer for multiple charities for serving and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces. These include the Royal British Legion, Get Together After Serving and Oldham Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club. I also manage a football team for ex-serving members connected with Get Together After Serving.

I live local in Chadderton and I am passionate about giving back to the community and helping develop people of all ages. I want to give back to the younger generation my life experiences and valuable knowledge what I have gained throughout my life. As a member of the LAC I am committed to giving 100% and more to the role in order to make a difference.

Jiaur Rahman

Jiaur is a highly goal-oriented professional with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. He is married and a proud father of four, with children ranging from teenagers to a toddler. A lifelong Manchester United supporter, Jiaur enjoys spending weekends watching his children play football. In the past, he successfully managed grassroots football teams, leading them to win trophies in tournaments and summer leagues.

In his professional role, Jiaur leads Change and Transformation projects, providing strategic guidance, direction, and expert change management knowledge. He specializes in developing and implementing comprehensive change management plans—including deployment, training, and communications—while assessing key impacts across people, processes, culture, data, and systems. Jiaur has successfully delivered change initiatives across diverse industries such as Utilities, Retail, Banking, Insurance, Finance, and Logistics.

Beyond his professional commitments, Jiaur is passionate about charitable work. He has contributed to global initiatives such as building wells and pumps in underserved communities and has raised significant funds through sponsored walks and activities for organizations like the Red Cross Foundation and campaigns against Modern Slavery.

Register of Business & Pecuniary Interests

• 2025 2026 Register of Business and Pecuniary Interests North Chadderton School

 LAC Members

2024-2025 Attendance at Local Advisory Committee Meetings

• NC 24-25 Attendance at Meetings