Academy Council

Governance within a multi-academy trust

Begbrook Primary Academy is part of the Cabot Learning Federation, a multi-academy trust that is responsible for a number of academies across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Gloucester and Somerset.  Governance for a multi-academy trust operates at two levels.  At trust level, there is a Board of Directors.  The directors are accountable to the Department for Education and external government agencies, including the Charity Commission, for the quality of the education the trust provides and the effective use of the associated academy funding. They are required to have systems in place through which they can assure themselves of quality, financial probity, safety and good practice. The Board is provided assurance on a number of these areas through various sub-committees, as shown in the diagram below. Visit the CLF website for more information about the board.

At a local level, each academy has an Academy Council comprising of up to 13 Academy Councillors.  Academy Councils are responsible for holding Principals and their leadership teams to account for the quality and effectiveness of the academic experience of the students under their care with the aim of securing effective school improvement.  They do this through monitoring performance against an annual academy improvement plan, through monitoring risks and responses to risks, and by overseeing systems and processes for the safeguarding of children and the health, safety and wellbeing of academy staff.

If you want to contact the Chair (or any Academy Council members), please email the Clerk to the Academy Council [email protected].   Please make your email subject line with FOA Chair of Academy Council).

These are our Academy Councillors …

Councillors bios

Chair of Academy Council: Sarah Page
	I come from an industry background of Marketing & Communications, where I spent 15 years working for a number of well-known organisations. I have been a Senior academic at The University of the West of England for the past 10 years teaching in the Business School, but also carry supporting roles there that focus on widening participation and Equality, Diversity & Inclusivity amongst our student body. This experience will be used to further develop the opportunities and potential of the entire Begbrook school community.
Principal: Vicky Counsell
	As Principal of Begbrook Primary Academy, it is a pleasure to work with our Academy Councillors who fulfil such an important role in our academy.  I have been working in education since 2004 and have been in senior leadership roles since 2011.  Working for the Cabot Learning Federation since 2016 has been an absolute pleasure and it is great to be part of a community that lives and breathes the HEART values every day.
Executive Principal: Kate Richardson
	Kate is an Executive Principal with the CLF. Most recently, Kate has been working within the Bristol cluster and across the primary phase as part of the Executive team, supporting the school improvement across the trust. Prior to Kate’s appointment as Executive Principal, she was the headteacher at Hareclive E-ACT Academy in Hartcliffe, Bristol and prior to that was headteacher at Greenfield E-ACT Academy in Knowle West. Kate was part of the team at Headey Park Primary in south Bristol and before moving to Bristol, Kate worked in Hackney in London taking on roles in a range of contexts including undertaking SENDCo training. Kate has always worked in schools with high levels of deprivation. Kate takes the lead on attendance, exclusions and wellbeing across the trust. Kate also leads on Big Events across the trust, which serve to enable our pupils to feel they are a part of something bigger – our wider CLF family.
Parent Academy Councillor: Vacancy
Teacher Academy Councillor: Sian Adams
	I am excited to be part of the Academy Council for Begbrook Primary Academy this year in my role as Teacher Councillor. I have worked as a Senior Leader at the Academy for nearly two years and am also Designated Safeguarding Lead. I am committed to Academy Improvement to ensure all children achieve their full potential. I love being part of the Begbrook Community and am excited for the next phase of our Academy Improvement journey.
Parent Academy Councillor (and Curriculum Link): Simon Metson
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Student Advocate: Emily Mowlem
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Sponsor Academy Councillor (and Reading Link): Vacancy
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Sponsor Academy Councillor: Vacancy
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Sponsor Academy Councillor: (Anne Harris)
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