Academy Councillor - North Cluster

Lead Change. Inspire Futures. Become an Academy Councillor with CLF.

Volunteer and Make a Lasting Impact on Education Across North Somerset!

Are you passionate about helping young people thrive? Do you want to influence education in your community? At Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), we’re looking for committed volunteers to join our Academy Councils and help shape the future of learning.

CLF is a family of 36 academies—including primary, secondary, all-through schools, and post-16 provision—spanning Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Gloucester, Weston-Super-Mare, and Somerset. Our shared purpose is simple: every child deserves the best possible start in life.

The North Somerset Cluster includes a mix primary, secondary, and alternative provision academies. For further information on the full list of academies and provisions, this can be found in the ‘North Somerset Cluster:
Our Local Academies’ section of the advert below.

As a Sponsored Academy Councillor, you’ll act as a critical friend to the academy, providing challenge and support to Principals and leadership teams. Your responsibilities include:

• Attend Council Meetings regularly (around 5 per year, 2 hours each).
• Champion Safeguarding & Wellbeing:
  Ensure health and safety policies are implemented and statutory training is met.
• Monitor Risk & Improvement:
  Review risk registers, academy improvement plans, and responses to Ofsted/DfE inspections.
• Hold Leaders to Account:
  Oversee student attainment, attendance, and curriculum effectiveness.
• Policy & Compliance:
  Approve and monitor local policies and procedures.
• Panel Participation:
  Take part in panels for exclusions, complaints, and key decisions.
• Financial Oversight:
  Review financial plans and monitor resource allocation.
• Recruitment & Appraisal:
  Engage in senior leadership recruitment and contribute to Principal appraisals.
• Champion Inclusion:
  Advocate for disadvantaged pupils and educational equity.
• Act as an Ambassador for the academy, its pupils, and staff.
• Average time commitment: around 1 hour per week across the year.

• Influence
  
  Education:
  
  Help guide strategic decisions and hold leaders accountable.
• Professional Growth:
  Develop skills in leadership, governance, and strategic planning.
• Community Impact:
  Make a tangible difference to children and families in your area.
• Networking:
  Connect with over 300 passionate volunteers across the South West.

We welcome volunteers from all walks of life. No prior education experience needed, just enthusiasm and commitment. We especially encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups.

• Haywood Village Academy
• Herons’ Moor Academy
• Uphill Village Academy
• Airfield Primary Academy

• Broadoak Academy
• Hans Price Academy
• Winterstoke Hundred Academy (includes post-16 provision)

• Lime Hills Academy – specialist provision supporting learners with additional needs

We take safeguarding seriously. All volunteers must complete an application form, provide references, and undergo checks, including a DBS.