Academy Council

Governance within a multi-academy trust

City 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.

The City Academy Council meet on a regular basis throughout the year to oversee the running of the Academy.

The Chair of the Academy Council is Ruth Pickersgill – Ruth can be contacted by emailing the Clerk to the Academy Council, Linda Corbidge by emailing [email protected]. Please mark your email subject line with FAO Chair of Academy Council.

Please see the documents below to access further information about the Academy Council members and the Academy Council meetings.

For any enquiries regarding the Academy Council at City Academy please contact Linda Corbidge, Clerk to the Council – [email protected]

Academy Council Members

Chair of Academy Council: Ruth Pickersgill MBE

I am honoured to have been Chair of City Academy Council for several years. I was originally a teacher, now retired, but having most recently worked in the Leadership Team at a local sixth form college and a large FE college in the Midlands. Until early 2021, I was the Bristol City Councillor for Easton Ward (in which the school is based) and am also a trustee or Chair of a number of charities supporting disabled people or refugees.

All of my career has been in the field of equalities and education, and I am particularly committed to improving the outcomes and life chances of all the amazingly talented young people I meet in inner-city Bristol, where I have lived all my adult life. I want us to be an outstanding school, that is at the heart of the community, which everyone is proud of, and wants to attend.

Sponsor Academy Councillor: Mahalah Katz

I grew up in central Bristol, my daughter attends City Academy, and I feel privileged to now have this opportunity to work with the team at City Academy.

I am committed to supporting the school to offer the best possible learning experience, and to open up the opportunities deserved by our young people – now and in their future careers.

My background in international development included strengthening education and vocational qualifications. I now work as an executive coach – supporting business leaders, and aspiring leaders, to enhance their careers and organisations – and as a consultant both across the VCSE sector in Bristol and internationally.

Sponsor Academy Councillor: Abdi Mohammed

Abdi is a Somali refugee who has lived and worked in Bristol for over twenty years. He is now a service coordinator at the Changing Future Project, a government-funded programme to improve outcomes for adults experiencing multiple complexities.

Abdi holds an MSc in Nutrition and Public Health from the University of Bristol and is an experienced public health, research, and community engagement practitioner. For the last ten years, he has worked with disadvantaged communities in health-related behaviours and people with multiple complexities, including substance use, mental health, and homelessness.

He has been a trustee of Bristol Somali Resource Centre since March 2016. Before joining BSRC, he was a trustee of Bristol Refugee Rights for four years and a public advisor for research at the University of Bristol. He is now interested in assisting young people to achieve their potential, mentoring them to reach higher education, and preventing health or social-related complexities in the early stage.

Sponsor Academy Councillor and Co Vice Chair: Sejal Patel

I am currently serving as the EDI lead and a Professional Learning Lead Teacher at Clifton College, and also manage the Pathways to Medicine programme in the Sixth Form. Over the course of my 16-year teaching career I have held various middle management positions and have been fortunate to work in a variety of educational settings within both the independent and state sectors, catering to both co-educational and single-sex environments in the South-West. In 2008 I completed a PGCE Science at the University of Bristol, and prior to this, I studied BSc Chemistry at King’s College, London.

My dedication to creating an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students has led me to actively participate in the Bristol Global Majority Teachers’ Network. Together with like-minded educators, we work collaboratively to address inequalities and champion inclusivity. I am also proud to be a part of the Bristol Decolonising Network, where teacher-led initiatives are developed to challenge and overcome disparities within education.  I am a member of the Chartered College of Teaching and recently completed my NPQSL at the Ambition Institute.

I am excited to work alongside the staff in the role of school councillor to make a meaningful impact at City Academy.

L A Representative Councillor and Co Vice Chair: Leah Dowty

I am thrilled to bring my passion for high quality education to the role of Councillor at City Academy.

I spent a decade working in Hackney primary schools before moving to Bristol and working in initial teaching training. Over the last few years, I have worked with Teach First primary and early years trainees at Bath Spa University, and I am now a Senior Lecturer at UWE Bristol teaching on the PGCE and BA (Hons) Primary Education.

I live locally to City Academy and am immensely proud to be part of a diverse, thriving local community. I am excited to support the school in its journey to developing our students to achieve the very best.

Sponsor Academy Councillor: Leigh McKenna

Leigh is a neurodivergent youth and community worker in Bristol East-Central. He received an Economics and Mathematics Bsc. from the University of Bristol in 2009; working at the Centre for Markets and Public Organisation upon graduating; before entering a career in trading.

After evaluating his priorities during the pandemic, Leigh committed himself to mentoring and youth development in his local community. Leigh specialises in Youth Violence Reduction using coaching to develop critical thinking skills.

Sponsor Academy Councillor: Mohamed Elmi

My name is Mohamed, and I have lived in Bristol since childhood, growing up in the vibrant neighbourhoods of Easton and St Paul’s. A former student of Bannerman Road Primary School, which is very close to City Academy, I have deep roots in the community and has long been committed to helping others. Actively involved in local initiatives, I dedicate my time to supporting individuals with language barriers, ensuring that everyone can access and navigate the system effectively.

With professional experience spanning two years in the Care industry, I have developed a strong understanding of supporting individuals in need. In addition, my work in the financial industry, with HSBC and AVIVA, has provided me with a broad skill set, from financial services to customer care.

Beyond my professional life, l am passionate about education, particularly the importance of equipping children with real-life skills to prepare them for the future. I believe schools should focus not only on academic success but also on practical knowledge that helps children navigate the world with confidence.

Support Staff Academy Councillor: Kerys Taylor

Despite being relatively early on in my career as an educator, I feel I have learned a lot during my two years at City Academy as a TA and now, HLTA. This role has sparked and deepened my passion for working with young people and working to enable them to access their curriculum learning. It has also helped me develop skills that encourage students to learn and thrive within themselves, socially and emotionally. I’m very excited to be involved in the Academy Council to continue to learn about and be involved in, governance discussions, particularly regarding EDI, SEND and Inclusion, and ultimately, the development and improvement of City Academy.

I am also very passionate about the vital work of support staff and how crucial we are to the fabric of schools. Kitchen staff, pastoral and family support teams, safeguarding, facilities and admin, inclusion and SEND, cleaning staff, IT and technicians – there is no doubt that support staff are the backbone of schools, and I will proudly endeavour to represent their voices within City Academy’s Academy Council.

Parent Academy Councillor: Donna Taylor

Joining the Parent Council is an opportunity for me to contribute both personal and professional insights and learn from other minds as we work together to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for every family.

As a Clinical Director, trainer and consultant in Bristol, I hope to offer a theoretical approach that blends emerging and progressive research with evidence-based practices to support mental health and well-being and academic success across the community.

My experience spans a decade, working across mainstream and alternative education provisions has shaped therapeutic programs tailored to children with SEMH challenges and neurodiversity. In therapeutic and SEND education, the focus is on fostering environments where children and families thrive.

Community involvement is at the heart of this work, and I am passionate about supporting the community as a board member of RedFest CIC who provide performance art and music festivals and events in the local area, advocating for inclusive and supportive spaces for all.

Parent Academy Councillor: Election Sept 2024

Teacher Academy Councillor: Claire Rodgers

I have both pastoral and curriculum leadership experience, and I am passionate about ensuring that every child has access to the education best possible. I firmly believe that raising literacy standards has to be at the forefront of everything we do. I wanted to become a representative so that I could support and challenge teaching and learning across the academy, provide the Academy Council with the views of staff and do my best for the local community.

Student Advocate: Jason Clarkson

I am very excited to be part of the Academy Council as I joined City Academy as a student in the year 2000 and I am now Associate Assistant Principal. This year I am working with Year 11 and have been fortunate enough to take on the running of Student Voice at City Academy.

I have always lived in Bristol and been a member of this local community having grown up in Easton/Barton Hill. As well as having my own experience of secondary education at City Academy I have worked pastorally with young people across a few of the schools in the Cabot Learning Federation as well as with some of Bristol’s Alternative Provisions. I studied Education and Professional Practice at UWE (BA), which looks a lot at learners, their barriers, and considerations of how to meet their needs to enable them to potentially overcome them.

As a member of the Academy Council and a leader at City Academy, I will ensure that the voice of our learners is heard as we continue to achieve better outcomes for our young people who will go on to become future leaders of our city.