Academy Council
Governance within a multi-academy trust
Bristol Brunel 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.
Chair of the Bristol Brunel Academy Council
Nicky McAllister Chair, Bristol Brunel Academy Council
My whole professional career has been in education. When I retired as a Bristol Secondary Headteacher, I became an Education Consultant, writing and delivering workshops on a number of different topics including Leadership Development and Effective Behaviour Management and undertaking investigations centred around HR issues. I also became Chair of the Governing Body of a local primary school and, from there, was asked by Sir David Carter to become a Director on the Board of the Cabot Learning Federation where I have been for the last 10 years with a link responsibility for Mental Health and Well-Being. I am also particularly interested in ensuring that the curriculum offered by CLF Academies is broad and balanced and that, as a Federation, we lead on addressing global issues.
CONTACT:
Email: [email protected]
c/o Bristol Brunel Academy, Speedwell Road, Speedwell, Bristol, BS15 1NU
Academy Council Members
Similar to a Governing Body, the role of the Academy Council is primarily to support and scrutinise the activities of the Academy to ensure the highest standards are achieved for students and staff alike. Each Academy Council plays a full role in monitoring the delivery of outstanding teaching across the Federation. We are very fortunate to have on the Bristol Brunel Academy Council a dedicated team of colleagues from a range of backgrounds who are passionate about supporting the Academy.
Jon Jones, Executive Principal
Similar to a Governing Body, the role of the Academy Council is primarily to support and scrutinise the activities of the Academy to ensure the highest standards are achieved for students and staff alike. Each Academy Council plays a full role in monitoring the delivery of outstanding teaching across the Federation. We are very fortunate to have on the Bristol Brunel Academy Council a dedicated team of colleagues from a range of backgrounds who are passionate about supporting the Academy.
Jen Cusack, Principal
Naomi Soper, Teaching Staff Councillor
Georgia Szygowska, Support Staff Councillor
I am a mum of two boys who both attended BBA and have left in recent years. I became a school governor at their infants’ school and have become interested and enjoyed being part of their schools journey of improvement. I have been on the school council at BBA for nearly seven years now, there have been many changes and I continue to see improvements. I have a particular interest in teaching and learning and support and challenge the school in its journey to outstanding.
I feel it is important that all our children have the opportunities in school to help them reach their full potential, whatever that may be. I live and work locally and take pride in hearing the good things that the students of BBA are achieving.
In my spare time I enjoy running and going to a good music gig.
Nicola Pearce, Sponsor Councillor
Emma has lived in the local community for 13 years and has two daughters currently at BBA. Emma works with SETsquared which is the enterprise partnership between the universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. SETsquared provide business support programmes to help turn ideas into thriving businesses. Previously Emma spent 12 years in Sales Director roles for brand-led companies.
Emma Thorn, Sponsor Councillor
Saima Ahktar, Sponsor Councillor
Rosie has worked as an English teacher and Head of English in several inner-city schools in Bristol and London. She currently lectures in teacher training at the University of Bristol, as well as continuing to teach in a Bristol school part-time. She lives locally to BBA and is passionate about promoting excellent educational opportunities for all young people in her community.
Rosie Hunt, Sponsor Councillor
Josh Sterling, Student Advocate Councillor
Vacancy, Parent Councillor
Nicky works as an academic at the University of the West of England. Qualified as an RN since 1994 and as a teacher since 1997, Nicky has been working as a healthcare educator since 2003. Her main academic interests include pedagogical research, practice-based learning and ethics.
Dr Nicky Goodall, Parent Councillor
Charlotte Seavill, Clerk
Should you have any queries or questions for our Academy Council please contact Charlotte Seavill [email protected]
Additional Academy Council Information
BBA Councillors 2023-2024 Register of Pecuniary Interests
BBA Councillors 2022-2023 Register of Pecuniary Interests
CLF is governed by a board of directors who are responsible for, and oversee, the management and administration of the trust and the academies run by the trust. Our Board is made up of 12 directors (6 appointed by each of our sponsors) and these directors are accountable to the Department for Education (DfE) and external government agencies, including the Charity Commission, for the quality of the education that CLF provides and the effective use of the associated academy funding.
