Academy Council

Wicklea 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 9 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 Academy Council

VACANT POSITION, Chair of Academy Council

Academy Council Members

Harriet Potter, Local Academy Councillor

As an Assistant Director at Deloitte, I bring fifteen years of experience with a background in Data Analytics, Finance, Accounting, and Mergers and Acquisitions. My professional expertise provides a strong foundation for strategic oversight and financial acumen, which I am keen to apply in supporting the academy's development while ensuring robust governance.

I was motivated to become a councillor by a desire to contribute to my local community and to gain a deeper understanding of the education system, particularly as my own young child will soon be embarking on their school journey.

Outside of my professional and council commitments, I enjoy creative pursuits such as woodwork, Lego stop motion, and have recently taken up sewing.

Chris Evans, Local Academy Councillor

I am a Parent Academy Councillor for Wicklea Academy.

I have worked in higher education for the last 16 years at UWE Bristol, a sponsor of the Cabot Learning Federation, specialising in data analytics. Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to work alongside various governing boards, both internal and external to the university, and have experienced first-hand the importance of good governance to an organisation. My children have both attended Wicklea Academy, and I have been thoroughly impressed with the improvements made at the school in such a relatively small amount of time. I thought that accepting a role as Parent Academy Councillor would be a fantastic way to try to help contribute to a pillar of the local community.

Outside of working and governing, my spare time revolves around my kids…going on mini-adventures and trying to escape to the South Devon and Pembrokeshire coastlines whenever possible.

Matt Windsor, Local Academy Councillor

My role at work involves both strategic and day to day analysis and decision making, covering risk, assurance, construction, government stakeholder engagement, finance and more. These skills I believe are directly transferable to a councillor role. I am local to the area and have a 2-year-old son. I am interested in the wider education environment and welcome the opportunity to contribute positively to my local community, whilst also understanding more detail around the challenges faced by schools.

Chioma Achugamonye, Staff Councillor - Support Staff

In my current role as a Family Link Worker, I work closely with pupils, parents, and staff to promote wellbeing and positive outcomes, which has given me a good understanding of the school community and its needs. I believe that I will be a useful asset to the governing body of Wicklea academy.