Role Title: Chair of Academy Council
Hours: Approx. 1-2 hours per week across the school year
Provisional Start Date: ASAP
Your opportunity to make a difference in education
We are looking for an Academy Councillor at Wicklea Academy to support strategic leadership and governance within one of our primary schools. This is a rewarding voluntary role where you will help shape the future of education, ensuring every child has access to a high-quality, inclusive learning experience.
As part of the Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), Wicklea Academy sits within a collaborative family of schools committed to improving life chances for all children and young people.
Key responsibilities of an Academy Councillor
As an Academy Councillor, you’ll act as a critical friend to the academy—providing both challenge and support to the Principal and leadership team.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Attend Council Meetings regularly (approximately 5 per year, around 2 hours each).
- Champion Safeguarding & Wellbeing: Ensure safeguarding, health and safety policies are effective and that statutory training requirements are met.
- Monitor Risk & Improvement: Review risk registers, academy improvement plans, and responses to inspections.
- Hold Leaders to Account: Oversee pupil attainment, attendance, behaviour, and curriculum effectiveness.
- Policy & Compliance: Review, approve and monitor local policies and statutory responsibilities.
- Panel Participation: Take part in panels for exclusions, complaints, and key decision-making processes.
- Financial Oversight: Review financial plans and monitor the effective use of resources.
- Recruitment & Appraisal: Support senior leadership recruitment and contribute to the Principal’s appraisal process where appropriate.
- Champion Inclusion: Advocate for disadvantaged pupils and promote equity and inclusion.
- Act as an Ambassador: Represent Wicklea Academy positively within the local community.
You may also choose to take on a link role (such as safeguarding, SEND, or disadvantaged pupils), providing focused oversight in key priority areas.
About you
We are looking for individuals who bring:
- Strong communication skills and a willingness to ask questions and offer constructive challenge
- The ability to build relationships and work collaboratively
- An interest in education and a commitment to improving outcomes for children
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
- The time and motivation to attend meetings and engage with academy life
- Previous governance experience is not required—full training and ongoing support will be provided.
Applicants are advised to refer to the full requirements of the role in the attached information prior to submitting an expression of interest application.
About Wicklea Academy:
Wicklea Academy is a junior school located in Brislington, Bristol where children are at the centre of everything we do. We offer our pupils an education which supports and challenges every child to reach their full potential. Children leave Wicklea confident, responsible, determined and well-equipped for the next stage of their lives.
We pride ourselves on being a friendly and caring school who work in partnership with families to support children to make sure that they try their best, feel happy and safe and achieve well. All staff at Wicklea are proud of our school and the children who attend it.
About Cabot Learning Federation (CLF):
We are a diverse and inclusive community of 36 academies across five cluster regions in the South West, committed to excellence and making a positive impact. Our people bring unique perspectives, but we’re all driven by a shared moral purpose and a passion for improving lives.
We are an equal opportunity employer and proud to serve a diverse student population and our communities. We strongly believe that representation matters and so encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
Why volunteer with CLF?
- Professional development in governance and leadership.
- Networking opportunities across the South West.
- The chance to make a meaningful difference to children and families in your community.
- We strongly believe representation matters and encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups.
How to apply:
By clicking ‘Apply’ on the advert page, you will be re-directed to the CLF Governance Page. On this page, please access and complete the Expression of Interest form (towards the bottom of the page and titled ‘Express Your Interest’) and detail the academy you are interested in becoming Chair of Academy Council at. The Governance Team will pick this up and contact you directly to arrange an initial call/meeting, along with informing you about any other next steps of the process.
We welcome visits from potential volunteers. If you would like to arrange a school visit as part of your interest in becoming an Academy Councillor at one of our academies, please let us know this when completing the Expression of Interest form.
Safeguarding & Inclusion
We take safeguarding seriously. All volunteers must complete an application form, provide references, and undergo checks, including a DBS.
CLF is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. If you need adjustments during application or onboarding, let us know how we can support you.
The Cabot Learning Federation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles across the trust have a varying level of responsibility for ensuring safeguarding practice, with some roles holding significant responsibility and involving working with children on a daily basis in regulated activity. Regardless of the level of responsibility and involvement in each role, we expect all staff, visiting professionals and volunteers to share this commitment.
All successful candidates will undergo a comprehensive pre-employment checking process, including an enhanced DBS check (including a further check against the appropriate barred list), references from current and previous employers, health, right to work in the UK, child disqualification (where applicable), prohibition from teaching/management and online checks. You must also tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.