While we cannot know the future, the purpose of the CLF Strategy 2030 is to ensure the CLF is prepared and focused on meeting the challenges of this decade, while also providing hope and opportunities to our learners, our people and our communities; it is against the ideals of this narrative that work of the trust is monitored and its future success judged.

Steve Taylor, CEO - Cabot Learning Federation

Our Core Strategy

Equity Through Education is underpinned by three core strategies central to all trust activity. They guide decisions around development and improvement, while adhering to our commitment to create equity of opportunity, promote inclusion, remove disadvantage and reject discrimination.

  • Through the Lens of Disadvantage

    • Strategic emphasis on delivering excellence for disadvantaged learners even over other groups.
    • Benchmarking our impact through the lens of disadvantaged learners.
    • Developing best practice among CLF People to deliver for disadvantaged learners.
    • Working in tandem with others via CLF Partnerships to support our most disadvantaged families.

  • Investing in People

    • Sector-leading support, learning and professional development.
    • A welcoming, diverse and inclusive environment.
    • Resilient, empowered teams, with leaders at all levels.
    • Meaningful commitment to wellbeing and career progression.
    • High standards and ambitions for learners and their families.

  • Investing in Partnerships

    • Deep and collaborative connections throughout our communities.
    • Clear understanding of community issues and opportunities, and enthusiasm to engage.
    • Strong relationships with learners, parents, carers, volunteers and alumni.
    • Contribute to the educational and social landscape – locally, regionally and nationally.
    • Partner with other civic agencies to be a force for good in our local area

Our Sub-Strategies

Designed as enablers of our core pillars, these seven sub-strategies transcend teams and departments to resonate throughout the CLF. Driven by senior members of staff and reviewed annually, these ambitions will contribute to the sustainable development of the trust.

EDI
Wellbeing
Digital
Voice
Leadership
Operating at Scale
Environment
  • Unwavering commitment to advancing equal opportunities for all, eliminating discrimination, and upholding CLF values of equity, equality, diversity and inclusion.
  • Ensure the Trust remains a place where everyone feels they belong and supported to succeed.
  • Support the drive to diversify the CLF workforce to reflect the diverse communities we serve.
  • Grow EDI Networks which create safe spaces for children and adults to be themselves.
  • Provide resources to help staff and students positively and proactively manage their wellbeing.
  • Ensure support is signposted and easily available if people are struggling.
  • Further evolve a wellbeing curriculum which aligns with our goal of self-agency.
  • Play an active role in communities which supports equitable access to mental health services for all – particularly those experiencing disadvantage.
  • Enable all staff and pupils to safely and effectively work and learn anytime, anywhere.
  • Be future-seekers, equipped and ready to adopt technology which has ‘crossed the chasm’.
  • Give people the right tools to support their work, and train them to excel.
  • Embrace technology which supports partnership ambitions within the community and across clusters and wider education system.
  • Be a listening organisation which puts its people at the heart of strategic choices.
  • Nurture cohesive and coherent systems which gather and understand stakeholder views.
  • Maintain strong understanding of our trust and its impact through the eyes of our communities.
  • Be a model for CLF students, staff, families and communities to use to enact societal change
  • Utilise Trust experience to develop leadership to meet the challenges of this decade.
  • Raise standards by investing in capacity and expertise across the Trust.
  • Nurture a leadership culture which sustains a high-performing Trust which improves as it grows.
  • Empower leaders to take ownership of improvements which raise standards
  • Deploy the right resource at the right time to deliver maximum impact.
  • Establish efficient and effective systems which add value and support core priorities.
  • Build a scalable model which enables both standardised and empowered future growth.
  • Develop a new financial operating model, shaped by the above outputs, which delivers successful outcomes.
  • A shared commitment to reducing environmental impact which will see all schools hold Eco Schools Green Flag status.
  • An annual environmental conference where green champions can showcase positive action in schools.
  • Deep pupil engagement in environmental matters, supported by the CLF curriculum.
  • Provide data to help schools understand and reduce their impact through behaviour and technical change.

Strategy In Action

18
Dec

Four Cabot Learning Federation Primary Schools Ranked Among Top 15 Performers

Pic: Summerhill Academy pupils

UPDATE: Incorrect data has been reported by Bristol World, Minerva Primary Academy are in fact in 6th Place. Moving Evergreen Primary Academy to 11th place.

The Cabot Learning Federation is proud to announce that three of its primary schools have been recognised among the top ten highest-performing schools based on 2024 SAT scores and Ofsted reports.

This outstanding achievement underscores the Federation’s commitment to delivering exceptional education across its academies.

  • 1st Place: Summerhill Academy
  • 4th Place: Frome Vale Academy
  • 6th Place: Minerva Primary Academy
  • 11th Place: Evergreen Primary Academy

These rankings reflect the dedication of the staff, the hard work of students, and the support of the wider school communities.

The exceptional academic outcomes and the continued pursuit of excellence have firmly placed these schools at the forefront of primary education in the region.

A detailed report is available on the Bristol World website. To read the full article, click here.

16
Dec

Consultation on the Draft Admissions Policy 2026/27

Admissions authorities are required to consult on their admission arrangements whenever changes to the arrangements are proposed, or if no changes are proposed, every 7 years.  As such the Cabot Learning Federation is consulting on the admissions arrangements for the academies shown below, for students joining from September 2026.

Academies in Bristol – consultation period 5th December 2024 to 24th January 2025

Bristol Metropolitan Academy The academy is consulting on various changes including oversubscription criteria and updating wording to make Policies clear and relevant. To see a copy of the full draft policy please visit the academy website at the following address:

View the policy here

Academies in Gloucester– consultation period 5th December 2024 to 24th January 2025

Tewkesbury Academy The academy is consulting on various changes including oversubscription criteria and updating wording to make Policies clear and relevant. To see a copy of the full draft policy please visit the academy website at the following address:

View the policy here
Wallscourt Farm Academy The academy is consulting on various changes including oversubscription criteria and updating wording to make Policies clear and relevant. To see a copy of the full draft policy please visit the academy website at the following address:

View the policy here
Queen Margaret Primary Academy The academy is consulting on various changes including oversubscription criteria and updating wording to make Policies clear and relevant. To see a copy of the full draft policy please visit the academy website at the following address:

View the policy here

Academies in North Somerset – consultation period 5th December 2024 to 24th January 2025

Hans Price Academy The academy is consulting on various changes including oversubscription criteria and updating wording to make Policies clear and relevant. To see a copy of the full draft policy please visit the academy website at the following address:

View the policy here

Academies in Somerset consultation period  5th December 2024 to 24th January 2025

Redstart Primary School The academy is consulting on various changes including over subscription criteria and wording to make policy clear and relevant and aligned with CLF admissions. To see a copy of the full draft policy please visit the academy website at the following address:

View the policy here
Castle Primary School The academy is consulting on various changes including over subscription criteria and wording to make policy clear and relevant and aligned with CLF admissions. To see a copy of the full draft policy please visit the academy website at the following address:

View the policy here
Priorswood Primary School The academy is consulting on various changes including over subscription criteria and wording to make policy clear and relevant and aligned with CLF admissions. To see a copy of the full draft policy please visit the academy website at the following address:

View the policy here
Minerva Primary School The academy is consulting on various changes including over subscription criteria and wording to make policy clear and relevant and aligned with CLF admissions. To see a copy of the full draft policy please visit the academy website at the following address:

View the policy here

Academies in Somerset consultation period  16th December 2024 to 24th January 2025

Monkton Wood Academy The academy is consulting on various changes including oversubscription criteria, admission criteria for The Space (6th form) and updating wording to make both policies clear and relevant. To see a copy of the full draft policy please visit the academy website at the following address:

View the policy here

Any comments on or objections to the proposals can be made during the stated period to Elizabeth Tincknell, Head of Governance for the Cabot Learning Federation.  The email address for correspondence is [email protected] or in writing to Elizabeth Tincknell, Federation House, King’s Oak Academy, Brook Road, Bristol, BS15 4JT.

Liz Tincknell

Head of Governance

Cabot Learning Federation

16
Dec

Frome Vale Academy spreads Christmas cheer to senior citizens

Frome Vale Academy’s community group brought festive joy to the Vassals Centre Lunch Club, delighting senior citizens with Christmas cards and heartwarming story readings.

The visit was part of Frome Vale’s ongoing collaboration with Bristol charities, showing the academy’s dedication to developing community connections and supporting initiatives in their community.

Jan Saunders, Principal of Frome Vale Academy, said: “Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to connect with the wonderful members of the lunch club.

“Sharing stories, smiles, and thoughtful Christmas cards is a meaningful way for us to give back to the community.

“This partnership with Bristol Charities allows us to teach our pupils the importance of compassion and community engagement, particularly during the holiday season.”

13
Dec

Staff and students go above and beyond for Weston’s Foodbank this Christmas

Staff, students, and families from Hans Price Academy have shown incredible generosity this Christmas season by coming together to collect items for Weston’s Foodbank.

Between the 5th and 13th of December, the academy their annual campaign encouraging donations of any size to support families in need during the festive period.

The initiative launched in 2018 has seen over 4,000 essential items donated, including cereals, tinned soups, pasta, rice, pasta sauces, and tinned meat and fish. These contributions will play a significant role in helping local families during what can be a challenging time of year. This year over 300 items were collected.

Weston Foodbank, a project established in 2011 by local churches and community groups, has been tirelessly working to combat hunger in the North Somerset area.

On its website, Weston Foodbank states: “Our foodbank is a project founded by local churches and community groups, working together towards stopping hunger in our local area and supported by North Somerset Council.

“The foodbank has collaborated with over 150 agencies, providing vital support to nearly 46,000 people since its inception.”

Dr Andrew Watts, Second in Science and one of the organisers, said: “It’s incredibly heartwarming to see the entire school community come together to support such an important cause.

“Every single donation, no matter how big or small, represents kindness and compassion, which truly embodies the spirit of the season.

“We’re proud to play a part in making a difference for local families during Christmas.”

 

12
Dec

Bristol Met stages Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Bristol Metropolitan Academy’s highly-anticipated 10-year anniversary celebration of MET Productions was celebrated with a spectacular performance of Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.

This epic show featured a talented cast of students ranging from Years 7 to 11, who worked expertly to bring the magic of Roald Dahl’s classic tale to life.

Elio Cole (Year 9) and Neal Summers (Year 10) starred as the enigmatic inventor and chocolatier Willy Wonka, while Astrid Bell and Tashi Fujiwara Nandy (both Year 8) took on the role of the kind-hearted, poverty-stricken Charlie Bucket, the lucky child who wins a golden ticket to explore Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory.

Meesh Vince, MET Productions Director and Programme Leader of Drama at BMA, said: “It all started with Beauty and the Beast back in 2014, and our productions have grown in quality and reputation each year. We’re proud to say every year’s performance has been a guaranteed sell-out.”

The show involved almost 100 students from across the school, with rehearsals beginning in January 2024.

The production also enjoyed outstanding cross-curricular support from the art and design & technology (DT) departments, which contributed to the creation of stunning props and sets.

Dave Vince (DT teacher), crafted the magical set, and Lucie Morrish (drama teacher), directed the show’s vibrant singing and choreography.

“The show has fostered an incredible sense of belonging among both staff and students,” said Meesh. “It’s a true community effort, and we loved sharing it with audiences.”

BMA hosted special matinee performances for primary and secondary schools.

People who watched the show said: “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was absolutely epic and wow, didn’t those students do an amazing job!

“It must be such a great feeling knowing that you’ve made such a huge difference so many students and their families.”

Another said: “I truly wish that there were some words to articulate the appreciation that we all feel for all that you’ve done.

“Our daughter’s confidence and growth has been amazing to watch, and I honestly don’t believe that she would be where she is today without your support and guidance.”

11
Dec

Winterstoke Hundred Academy help create tiny forest

Students from Winterstoke Hundred Academy’s Eco-Club and Duke of Edinburgh Club, from Years 7 to 9, have participated in an exciting environmental initiative by helping plant a local tiny forest.

Collaborating with the Earthwatch Tiny Forest Project, students planted approximately 60 native trees as part of a larger 600-tree tiny forest at Locking Playing Fields, just a 10-minute walk from the new Locking Parklands school.

The planting day offered students hands-on experience in environmental stewardship. They not only enjoyed planting a variety of native trees but also learned about the habitats these trees will create for diverse wildlife.

This initiative reflects the school’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement.

Ella Downing-Sterne, Head of 6th Form, teacher of science, and Eco-Coordinator at Winterstoke Hundred Academy, said: “This was a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage with nature, contribute to their local environment, and learn about the critical role trees play in supporting ecosystems.

“Watching their enthusiasm and teamwork was truly inspiring.”

The tiny forest initiative will provide a thriving habitat for wildlife, improve air quality, and serve as a space for the community to connect with nature for years to come.

 

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CEO: Mr Steve Taylor
Federation House
King's Oak Academy
Brook Road, Bristol
BS15 4JT
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