Academy Council

Brook 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

Gus Grimshaw, Chair of Academy Council

Gus is retired and enjoying life back in the Cotswolds with his wife and two dogs. He is a very proud parent of two sons and grandfather to five grandchildren. A passionate follower of sport, his durability is illustrated by being a Bath Rugby season ticket holder for 50 years. Gus became a Trustee in 2018 after spending five very enlightening years 'farming' and running a tourist business in North Devon.

The majority of his working life was as a teacher and then Headteacher in schools in Bath, South Gloucestershire and Bristol. During his 30 years of Headship experience, he was fortunate to be part of a Building Schools for the Future scheme, a mini Education Action Zone, the BEON project (a scheme to introduce IT and the intranet into the classroom) and a School of Creativity. Gus was also privileged to be seconded to work at the local authority on developing federations and trusts to encourage and promote partnership working and executive leadership across schools. His school was one of the first in Britain to host a breakfast club, a forest school and a Children’s University (extended activities on a Saturday).

Gus has the leadership experience of being involved in four new builds and as a founding member of a free school. Throughout his career, Gus believed in parental engagement and partnership working and the value of education in regenerating communities.

Term of office ends: 18 June 2030

Interim Executive Board Members

Kelis Cornock, Student Advocate

Kelis currently works as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) and Student Advocate at Brook Academy. With over five years of experience in a special school setting, she holds a degree in working with children and young people. Kelis's role allows her to support students' academic development, emotional well-being, and overall growth.
In her position as Student Advocate on the school council she is committed to ensuring the voices of our students are heard. Kelis works to represent their needs and help create a supportive environment that fosters both personal and academic success.
Kelis has a particular interest in food technology, where she enjoys teaching students practical skills in the kitchen while helping them build creativity and confidence. Kelis is always striving to enhance her approach to support our students in every way possible.
Kelis is excited to continue being part of a school community that works together to provide the best opportunities for all students as they grow and prepare for the future.

Term of office ends 29/11/27

Polly Pick, Sponsor Councillor

Polly has been a university lecturer for over thirty years. She is currently Principal Lecturer in Business at Hartpury University. Polly is an academic leader with experience in business development and relationship management. She has a background in leading teams and engaging with businesses to support educational growth. Passionate about the importance of education, she is committed to helping all learners succeed and organizations improve staff development.

Term of office ends 8/05/28

Rachel McManus, Academy Councillor

Rachel has worked in education for nearly 30 years, initially working in early years before completing a degree and teaching qualification. She then become a lecturer at a FE college, teaching across different level care courses and qualifications. Rachel progressed to teach and programme lead foundation degree courses, in conjunction with Plymouth university.
Teaching allowed her to have an insight in the trauma and adverse experiences that have an impact on children and young people. Rachel completed her Masters degree in Safeguarding and shortly after this become a safeguarding officer for the college.
More recently she moved to Bristol and started working within alternative education sector, continuing in the role of safeguarding, aiming to not only respond to harm a young person may experience but to identify education to enable the same young people to feel safer but also to allow them to make positive decisions in their life.
In her spare time Rachel likes to spend time with her family.

Carley Cardwell, Parent Councillor

I am Carley, a parent councillor with a strong commitment to supporting the school community. As a parent of a neurodivergent child I am passionate about helping to maintain a positive, inclusive, and high-quality learning environment.

I am particularly interested in strengthening communication between families and the school, supporting pupil wellbeing and contributing to the school’s ongoing development. I value collaboration and aim to represent the views of parents while working constructively with staff and fellow governors.