Academy Council

The Redstart Primary School 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

Sapphire Lynch, Chair of Academy Council

I first joined the Governing Board at Redstart in 2019 and have served as Chair of Academy Council since 2021. I have worked as a translator for 20 years supporting expats living in the UK so I have a keen interest in supporting EAL children. As link councillor for disadvantage, I work with the school to ensure the best outcomes for all children regardless of their background. I am particularly interested in improving literacy and instilling a love of reading.

Local Academy Councillors

Jen Hill, Staff Councillor

I have been a teacher at Redstart since 2014 and have had the pleasure of teaching in Reception since 2020. My passion lies in creating a classroom ethos built on trust, kindness and mutual respect, where children feel safe to take risks, make mistakes and learn from one another. I strongly believe that learning is most effective when children are supported to help each other and develop confidence in themselves and their abilities.

I joined the Academy Council in 2024 as a staff councillor and value the opportunity to contribute to the wider strategic development of the school. Prior to this, I served as a school governor for three years at my children’s small village primary school, which gave me valuable insight into governance, collaboration and community involvement.

Being part of the Academy Council allows me to combine my classroom experience with a broader commitment to ensuring the best possible outcomes for all children at Redstart.

Carlie stroulger, Staff Councillor

Both my children attended The Redstart Primary School since Reception class.

I still currently have a child in Year 5 at Redstart while the other is now in secondary school.

I then joined The Redstart Primary School in October 2022 as a receptionist/administrator.

The opportunity to become the staff support councillor came up and I thought it would be a great insight to see what goes on behind the scenes and to further my knowledge and skills.

I love working alongside the children and their families and giving them support and help.

It's just me and my boys and if I am not doing the football run, we go out exploring with our dog and go on many other little adventures.

Nikki Tilley, Sponsor Councillor

I am a mother to 4 children, my youngest joined Redstart Primary in year R in September 2024. Redstart was our first choice school as it epitomises everything we were looking for in a school, strong community, caring culture and a wealth of experience amongst the teaching staff.
As a family we are very busy, with all my older children playing sport for various local clubs, however in our spare time we love to walk and you are most likely to find us at the beach in all weathers or wandering around a national trust property.
When the opportunity arose to become part of the Academy Council I knew I wanted to be involved, I have 17 years experience as a police officer predominantly working as a Detective within public protection roles and also have experience working as a teaching assistant whilst on a 5 year career break from policing during which I carried out one of the DDSL roles within the school I worked. I bring all my safeguarding experience to the council and have taken on the responsibility of the safeguarding link Councillor.

Connor O'Mahoney, Academy Councillor