Academy Council
Governance within a multi-academy trust
Evergreen Primary 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.
Academy Council Members
Matt Johnson – Chair of the Academy Council
Kate Richardson – Executive Principal
I am one of the Executive headteachers working for Cabot Learning Federation. I support school improvement by working closely with the Principal, Vice Principal and staff team of each school. I have worked in education in Bristol for 8 years, having moved from London.
Kerry Coote – Academy Principal
I am proud to be the Principal of Evergreen Primary Academy. It is a pleasure to work with Academy Councillors in their role to provide support and challenge for school improvement. Evergreen Primary Academy prides itself on its unwavering commitment to support our children with all areas of their development and its purpose-built learning environment that supports the achievement of great outcomes. Following 14 years as a class teacher and maths curriculum leader, I moved into a senior leadership role in 2020 and I am passionate about ensuring all children are being fully supported to reach their full potential. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, running and playing netball.
Stacy Yelland – Sponsor Councillor
Stacy Yelland has been CEO of Eastside Community Trust since it formed in 2020. Previously she was Director of Up Our Street and before that Communications Officer for Community at Heart since 2007. In all these roles she has focused on an asset based approach to working in communities. She has 20 years experience in the voluntary community sector and has collaborated with numerous statutory and private sector partners over these years. She firmly believes in the power of communities in tackling the challenges we face and the importance of play in children’s live to help them thrive. Eastside Community Trust runs two open access spaces, a community centre and an adventure playground, as well as a number of projects out in the neighbourhoods of Easton and Lawrence Hill. In her spare time she runs a toy library and has two children age 5 and 9.
Tim Morris – Sponsor Councillor
Tim is Senior Research Fellow at University College London and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bristol. He has worked in Higher Education for 12 years, gaining extensive teaching experience and leading research into educational outcomes and inequalities in the UK. Tim is passionate about fair and equitable education, ensuring that all children are given the support and education that they need regardless of their wider life circumstances or background.
Matt Johnson – Sponsor Councillor – Safeguarding
Julie Vincent – PSA and DSL
I am the Parent Support Advisor, Attendance Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead at Evergreen Primary Academy and have worked at the school for nearly 10 years. My role is to provide emotional and practical help and advice to families who are experiencing long or short-term difficulties. My role is to also assist in tackling underachievement by working in partnership with families, parents, carers and pupils in school to enable pupils to have full access to educational opportunities and overcome barriers to learning and participation. I have worked in primary schools in Bristol and South Gloucestershire for over 18 years.
Pecuniary Interests Register 2022-23
