Brookhaven School Academy Council
The Academy Council at Brookhaven School plays a crucial role in ensuring that our students receive the highest quality education in a supportive, inclusive, and forward-thinking environment. The Council is composed of councillors, including representation from key areas of the school and community. Academy Councillors serve a term of four years, with the exception of the Headteacher.
The Academy Council meets four times a year for full council meetings, in addition to two link role meetings each academic year. These meetings provide an opportunity for Councillors to engage directly with various areas of the school’s operation and progress.
At Brookhaven, the Academy Council works in close partnership with the Headteacher, who leads the school’s direction and is responsible for the overall management and leadership of the school.
The Role of the Academy Council
The Academy Council plays an essential part in shaping the direction of Brookhaven School and ensuring we deliver on our commitment to our vision and that students receive the best possible education. Specific responsibilities include:
- Setting the school’s vision and strategic aims: Working collaboratively with the Headteacher to agree on plans, policies, and innovative use of resources to create the best educational environment for our students.
- Monitoring and evaluating performance: Acting as a 'critical friend' to the Headteacher, offering support and constructive challenge to help drive improvements and maintain high standards.
- Ensuring accountability: Holding the school accountable to our students, parents, local community, and staff, making sure we meet the needs of those we serve.
- Overseeing financial performance: Ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively to support student outcomes and the school’s long-term sustainability.
- Tracking progress: Regularly assessing the school’s progress towards its goals, ensuring continuous improvement.
In addition to these key areas, the Academy Council has responsibility for other important duties, including:
- Staff appointments and dismissals
- Hearing appeals and grievances
- Setting standards for student behaviour and discipline
- Ensuring the school environment is safe, welcoming, and conducive to learning
- Contributing to community engagement
- Supporting initiatives for ongoing improvement
|
Councillor |
Number |
Current Vacancies |
|
Parent |
3 |
3 |
|
Staff (teaching/non-teaching) |
2 |
2 |
|
Other |
3 |
3 |
|
Headteacher |
1 |
0 |
|
Total |
8 |
7 |
The Role of an Academy Councillor
Being an Academy Councillor at Brookhaven School is a rewarding and voluntary position that requires dedication, time, and a genuine commitment to the school’s vision. Councillors bring invaluable perspectives and skills, and their contributions are essential in making Brookhaven School a place where all students thrive.
Shaw Education Trust believe in transparency and accountability within their academies and between each Academy and the Trust. The Board will provide support and challenge as required, with the aim of enabling each Academy to work towards earned autonomy.
Local governance and accountability is secured through the Shaw Education Trust’s system of Academy Councils, with the Trust Board retaining overall legal control of its academies in line with Department for Education and Education Funding Agency expectations.
Commitment to Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
Brookhaven School is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equal community. We strive to ensure that everyone involved with the school, from staff to students and parents, feels proud of their identity and can participate fully in school life. As part of this, we make efforts to ensure our Academy Council reflects the diversity of our community.
Become an Academy Councillor
Each Academy within Shaw Education Trust (SET) has a local governing body known as an Academy Council that has a set of delegated powers from the main SET Board of Trustees (the ‘Board’). The duties and responsibilities are always set out in the Scheme of Delegation which is different in every Academy Trust. The Academy Council is accountable to the SET Board through the chair and minutes of its meetings. Trustees are kept informed of progress at each Academy through summaries from Academy Council meetings.
To find out more about becoming a councillor, visit the Governance section of the Shaw Education Trust website HERE.
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