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 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.
Academy Council Members
Tim Morris – Chair of the Academy Council
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.
Nasif Iqbal – Sponsor Councillor
I am a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of the West of England, following 11 years as a Special Educational Needs Teacher across all age groups. My current role focuses on preparing future teachers, which is focused around my core interests of inclusion, equity, and trauma-informed practice. Both personally and professionally, I am passionate about supporting my local community and ensuring every child has the right environment to thrive. Outside of work, I work with a local CIC to run green space activities for Bristol children who don’t have access to nature, and volunteer my time at FoodCycle.
Mahir Shihab – Sponsor Councillor
Sevcan Bekir – Sponsor Councillor
I am currently an Assistant Manager in a Bristol based finance firm, having worked in the financial sector for 10 years. My current role involves managing a team of Account Managers while I also help with training across the business and mentoring Strive interns on summer placements across the years (paid work experience placements to Black, Asian and minority ethnic university students across West of England). Professionally and personally, I am passionate about making all forms knowledge accessible – financial, social, academic, and so on. Outside of work, I have also spent over a decade ensuring I spend time volunteering and assisting in community work, including helping with curation in a Bath museum, buddying with Bristol Macmillan Cancer Support, and spending time overseas as an English tutor aid.
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.
Vacancy – Parent Governor
Downloads
Pecuniary Interests Register 2025-26
