Academy Council

The Sky 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

Vacant Post , Chair of Academy Council

Academy Council Members

Kate Dawson, Sponsor Councillor

Kate is an educational psychologist by training with over 30 years’ experience of working with children with special educational needs in mainstream primary and secondary schools, special schools and FE colleges. Kate has worked as an Assistant Director of children’s services in a local authority in the South West of England where she was responsible for the leadership of school improvement, early years, SEND, youth services, behaviour and attendance. Kate has also worked on government projects (Academy and Free Schools) for the Department for Education and the Department of Health (National Healthy Schools Programme).

Kate has worked for private fostering agencies helping to enhance the educational outcomes of children in care. She has extensive experience of school governance having been a chair of governors across a number of independent specialist schools (SEMH - 95% rated good or better) and set up and developed a specialist free school (autism) near Bristol.

Amanda Wright, Sponsor Councillor

Tracy French , Executive Principal

Gaby Long, Principal

As a Secondary mainstream Geography teacher, Gaby soon became drawn to working with SEND students. As her career progressed, she consciously decided that she wanted to follow my leadership journey into a Special school rather than continue in mainstream where there are limited opportunities in SEND leadership. She has been a National Leader in SEND, working collaboratively with colleagues in different settings to drive school improvement. She is passionate about ensuring all students with SEND are provided with as many opportunities for success and personal growth as possible.

Kai Francis, Student Voice

I am currently an Assistant Principal for Pastoral at The Sky Academy. After initially training as a primary teacher, I have spent my professional career working within the special educational sector, both within schools and with external agencies. I have a passion for ensuring all children are given equal opportunity and voice no matter their circumstances.

Emma Wykes, Support Staff Councillor