Academy Council

Kingsmead 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

Colin Mister - Safeguarding Link, Chair of Academy Council

I am an international business owner with extensive experience in leadership, strategic planning, and working across a wide range of communities and organisations. Through my work with the United Nations (UNOPS) and charities focused on malaria prevention and public health initiatives, I have developed a strong commitment to supporting communities and helping to create opportunities for young people to succeed.

I have several years of experience in school governance and as the Safeguarding Link. These roles have shown me the importance of supporting the well-being of both pupils and staff to achieve positive outcomes. My experience has also provided valuable insight into the challenges that schools face and the importance of effective leadership, inclusion, and maintaining high educational standards.

I am passionate about education and believe every child deserves access to a supportive, inclusive, and ambitious learning environment. As Academy Councillors, it is important to bring professionalism, strategic thinking, enthusiasm, and a collaborative approach to the role, working closely with fellow councillors, staff, parents, and the wider community to support the school's continued success. Focusing on staff well-being is a vital role that we should play.

Academy Council Members

Eva Heim, Vice Chair of Academy Council - SEND Link

As both a teacher and parent, I have been a longstanding and passionate advocate of comprehensive education.

Having worked as head of department, lead practitioner, senior leader and MFL consultant in different settings, I have gained a broad perspective on the opportunities that schools can offer and the challenges they face. Volunteering as an academy councillor allows me to use my experience in support of our local school.

I am the link councillor for SEND with a focus on inclusive provision and a special interest in student and staff wellbeing. I also support the CLF admissions panel and serve on exclusion panels at Kingsmead and in other CLF schools.

Nicholas Lapthorn, Academy Councillor - Teaching & Learning Link

Laura Jordan, Academy Councillor - Careers Link

Christopher Walder, Academy Councillor - Health & Safety Link

I’m a parent to two teenage children, one of whom has finished at Kingsmead already and the other is approaching the end of their time in the school. I am an experienced governor having been a parent governor and chair at Cotford St.Luke Primary School for a number of years and having been a governor now at Kingsmead for several years.

For my day job I am an engineer by background and currently a manager at EDF working in the nuclear power sector. This gives me a strong background in health, safety and regulatory compliance.

Stuart Smith, Staff Academy Councillor

I have been a teacher at Kingsmead for more than 10 years in my role as subject lead for Computing and the school role of IT Integration. I have had 2 children at the school, so I am able to work as an academy councillor with both a staff and parent perspective. I enjoy working with the Arts teams on school drama productions and music performances by supporting with sound, lighting and tech. I live locally, so I also understand how the school forms a key part of our community and area.

Laura Chesterfield, Parent Councillor