Overview
Lead Change. Inspire Futures. Become an Academy Councillor with CLF. Volunteer and make a lasting impact on education across Gloucestershire.
At Cabot Learning Federation (CLF), we are 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 provisions—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 Gloucestershire Cluster includes a mix of primary, secondary and specialist provision academies. For the full list of academies and provisions, see the Gloucestershire Cluster: Our Local Academies section of the advert below.
Key Responsibilities
* 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.
Why Volunteer with CLF?
* 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 is needed, just enthusiasm and commitment. We especially encourage applications from underrepresented and global majority groups.
Gloucestershire Cluster: Our Local Academies
* Queen Margaret Primary Academy providing a supportive early years foundation
Secondary Academies (Ages 11-18)
* Tewkesbury Academy with a broad curriculum and a fully integrated sixth form
Specialist Provision
* Brook Academy, a specialist SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) school for ages 11-16
How To Apply
By clicking Apply on the advert page, you will be redirected 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 an Academy Councillor. The Governance Team will contact you directly to arrange an initial call/meeting and inform you about any next steps in 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 during the initial call/meeting with a member of our Governance Team.
Safeguarding & Inclusion
We take safeguarding seriously. All volunteers must complete an application form, provide references, and undergo checks, including a DBS.
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