Academy Council
Governance within a multi-academy trust
Winterstoke Hundred 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.
Winterstoke Hundred Academy Council
Chair of Academy Council is Felicity Wiliamson
Felicity Williamson – Chair
I firmly believe that all children should have the opportunity to grow and flourish both academically and as members of our society. Schools are key in providing opportunities to children and in identifying and helping children overcome barriers they may face, so that they can fully embrace the opportunities offered to them. I also know that good governance provides both the support and challenge a school needs to ensure that it is offering the very best experience and range of opportunities it can, to every child in their care, no matter what their background or needs are.
My degree was in Environmental Change and Monitoring and at the time I thought I would be spending my future workdays outside sampling rivers the air for pollution. However, life often takes twists you don’t expect and after a placement year at a London council as part of my degree, I have worked for over 20 years in Local Government in a variety of roles including geographical mapping, data analysis, managing school admissions and place planning and most recently as a performance adviser. I was a school governor for nine years (including six years as Chair), at the primary school my two children attended. The opportunity to be part of the Academy Council for Winterstoke Hundred Academy from the start was an exciting offer I couldn’t say no to.
Kathryn Volk – Sponsor
I graduated from university in South Africa with a degree in Veterinary Science and work as an Associate Veterinarian at a local practice. I strongly believe that the greatest gift we can give a child is an education. I felt that by joining the academy council it would enable me to do my best to ensure that every child received the best possible education available to them.
Tony Searle – Executive Principal
Charlotte Sexton – Student Advocate
My name is Charlotte Sexton and I’m the Student Advocate on the WHA Academy Council.
I am the Deputy Head of Year 8 and a tutor for Pankhurst at WHA and I also have responsibility for Breakfast club, I’m also leading on the Anti -Bullying campaign. I believe that every students voice should be heard and students deserve a fair representation. I believe that the students deserve the highest level of education, as many opportunities as possible and the highest support. #bekind #besafe #workhard
LA Representative
Chris Henley – Parent Councillor
My name is Chris Henley and I live in Haywood Village along with my wife Lisa and 2 daughters Olivia and Chloe, both of which attend Winterstoke Hundred Academy. I started in May 2021 as Parent Academy Councillor, and I want to ensure both my children, the students and the teachers receive the best experience Winterstoke Hundred has to offer.
Ciaran Elster – Teacher Councillor
Originally from a small village in the midlands of Ireland, I have been living in the UK since 2017. I am predominantly a languages teacher, with Spanish my main specialism having lived in Spain for two years, although when I first went to university I did a Bachelor’s Degree in Music at Trinity College Dublin. Having worked at Winterstoke Hundred Academy since the school first opened in September 2020, I have a huge passion for teaching and for being a member of the teaching team at WHA. The staff here are a pleasure to work with and I am pleased to represent them on the Academy Council.
Support Councillor
Additional Information
If you are interested in a governance role within Winterstoke Hundred Academy Council, we would very much like to hear from you. Please contact Charlotte Seavill ([email protected]) who will be able to provide further information.
To contact the Chair of Academy Council, please mark your email for the attention of Felicity Williamson at [email protected].
Minutes of the Academy Council meetings will be published here once approved.
Pecuniary Interest Register 2023-24
