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

The Core Enablers

The Core Enablers within the CLF Strategy provide the conditions, capability, and infrastructure required to deliver the trust’s core ambition of Equity Through Education.

While the Core Strategies define what the trust is seeking to achieve, the Enablers ensure that the organisation has the capacity, culture, and sustainability to deliver those ambitions consistently across all settings. Taken together, the Enablers: 

Strengthen organisational resilience and long-term sustainability

Build a high-performing, inclusive workforce and culture

Ensure the trust operates in a way that is responsible, future-focused, and aligned to wider societal priorities

They are therefore not standalone priorities, but foundational drivers that underpin delivery of:

  • Investing in CLF People
  • Through the Lens of Disadvantage
  • Inclusive Excellence and High Expectations

This aligns with the framing of ‘Inclusive Excellence; High Expectations’ and the increasing focus on retention, culture and sustainability as critical to long-term impact.

Enabler strategies ensure the trust has the capacity, culture and sustainability to deliver Equity Through Education.

  • DEIB: Builds an inclusive, high-performing workforce and culture
  • Environment: Embeds sustainability and prepares future-ready learners
  • Organisational sustainability: Secures financial resilience and enables strategic investment

Strategy In Action

10
Jul

Redstart Primary pupils enjoy outdoor adventure at Magdalen Farm

Year One pupils from Redstart Primary School enjoyed an unforgettable day immersed in nature during a visit to Magdalen Farm.

Magdalen Farm is a 132-acre organic working farm and nature reserve situated on the banks of the River Axe, where Dorset, Somerset and Devon meet.

Run by the Magdalen Environmental Trust, the farm offers hands-on environmental education, bespoke school visits, family stays and disability care farming.

Throughout the day, pupils explored a variety of habitats, searched for butterflies, fed the farm animals, sampled fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the fields, and even made their own delicious pizzas using fresh ingredients.

The visit provided countless opportunities for children to connect with nature, learn about where food comes from and appreciate the beauty of the surrounding countryside, all while enjoying spectacular rural views.

Despite the soaring temperatures, the pupils embraced every activity with enthusiasm, curiosity and smiles throughout the day.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “Our visit to Magdalen Farm was a fantastic experience for our Year One pupils.

“Learning outdoors gives children the opportunity to explore, discover and develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world in a way that simply can’t be replicated in the classroom.

“We are incredibly proud of every child for their enthusiasm, resilience and excellent behaviour throughout such a warm day. It was a memorable experience that will stay with them for a long time.”

09
Jul

Bristol Brunel students enjoy unforgettable trip to Paris

Students from Bristol Brunel Academy enjoyed a memorable trip to the beautiful city of Paris, experiencing its rich history, culture and world-famous landmarks.

Paris, the capital of France and often referred to as the ‘City of Light’, is renowned for its art, fashion, gastronomy and iconic architecture.

During their visit, students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the city’s unique heritage while creating memories to last a lifetime.

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the world-famous Louvre museum. Housed within a historic 12th-century palace, the Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and is home to more than 35,000 works of art, spanning ancient civilisations through to the 19th century. Students explored its vast galleries and admired some of the world’s most celebrated masterpieces.

The group also put their heads for heights to the test with a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. Standing 330 metres tall, the landmark offers breathtaking views across the French capital and is one of the world’s most recognisable monuments.

Alongside these famous attractions, students enjoyed exploring many more of the city’s historic streets, landmarks and cultural hotspots, making the most of an enriching and enjoyable educational experience.

A spokesperson for Bristol Brunel Academy said: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience one of Europe’s most vibrant cities first-hand.

“The trip allowed them to bring their learning to life, broaden their cultural understanding and create lasting memories with their classmates.

“We are incredibly proud of how they represented the academy throughout the visit, demonstrating enthusiasm, curiosity and exemplary behaviour. It was a truly memorable experience for everyone involved.”

 

08
Jul

Hans Price students inspired by Matilda

A group of Year 10 BTEC dance students from Hans Price Academy recently enjoyed an exciting educational visit to watch Matilda the Musical at the iconic Bristol Hippodrome.

The trip provided students with valuable insight into the acclaimed production, which they will be studying as part of their upcoming dance coursework. Watching the live performance gave them the opportunity to explore professional choreography, staging and performance techniques, helping to bring their classroom learning to life.

The production captivated the students from start to finish, with its exceptional performances, dynamic choreography and spectacular staging making for an unforgettable theatre experience.

As well as supporting their studies, the visit proved to be an inspiring and memorable occasion for everyone involved. Throughout the trip, the students were a credit to the academy, demonstrating exemplary behaviour and representing Hans Price Academy with pride.

A spokesperson for the academy said: “Experiencing live theatre is an invaluable part of our students’ creative education. Seeing Matilda the Musical performed at such a prestigious venue has given our Year 10 dance students a deeper understanding of the professional standards they are studying, while inspiring them to develop their own skills and confidence as performers.

“We are incredibly proud of the way they conducted themselves throughout the visit and the enthusiasm they showed for this fantastic opportunity.”

 

07
Jul

Wessex Water inspires pupils at Redstart

Redstart Primary School was delighted to welcome Sam Russon from Wessex Water for a series of engaging workshops designed to inspire pupils to learn more about water, the environment and sustainability.

Throughout the day, Sam delivered interactive sessions covering rivers, the water cycle, water filtration and flood defences, giving pupils a fascinating insight into the journey of water and the importance of protecting this vital resource.

In the afternoon, Sam met with the school’s Eco-Rep group to discuss their exciting rainwater project, which will be taking place this summer.

The project forms part of a wider government-funded initiative being delivered by Wessex Water to help reduce surface water runoff. Work at the school will see areas of the grounds transformed with sustainable drainage features that slow the flow of rainwater, helping to reduce the risk of flooding in the local area while creating a greener environment for pupils to enjoy.

Gemma Mallett, Operations Manager at Redstart Primary School, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Sam and Wessex Water for sharing their expertise with our pupils and supporting our Eco-Rep group.

“The workshops brought important environmental topics to life in a fun and engaging way, and the rainwater project is a fantastic opportunity for our children to see how sustainability can make a real difference in their own community.

“We are excited to see the project take shape over the summer and the positive impact it will have on both our school and the wider area.”

 

06
Jul

Former Paralympian Kate Grey inspires students at Broadoak

Staff and students at Broadoak Academy were delighted to welcome former Team GB Paralympian and BBC pundit, Kate Grey.

Kate delivered the first session of the Active in Mind project, run by the Youth Sport Trust.

The Active in Mind project is a school-based intervention designed to prevent and improve mental health issues in adolescents. It tackles teenage stress and anxiety by pairing young people with peer mentors, using sport and physical activity to build resilience, body awareness and social connection.

During her visit, Kate delivered training for Year 9 student mentors, equipping them with the skills and confidence to support fifteen Year 7 students. The programme uses evidence-based approaches to address stress and anxiety, helping young people develop personal strategies for resilience while harnessing the power of peer mentoring through a trauma-informed approach.

Later in the day, the Year 7 students had the opportunity to put these strategies into practice through a range of practical activities, encouraging teamwork, communication and mutual support.

Mark Poulding, Head of Physical Education at Broadoak Academy, said: “It was a privilege to welcome Kate Grey to Broadoak Academy and launch the Active in Mind project with our students.

“Kate’s experiences, enthusiasm and passion for using sport to support wellbeing were truly inspiring. This programme will equip our Year 9 mentors with valuable leadership skills while giving our Year 7 students practical strategies to build resilience, confidence and positive mental health.

“We are excited to see the positive impact it will have across our school community.”

 

02
Jul

Glitz and glamour at Monkton Wood prom

It was an evening of glitz, glamour and style as students from Monkton Wood Academy celebrated their milestone prom in spectacular fashion.

This year’s annual prom, the formal farewell for students, was held in the stunning countryside setting of Old Oak Farm, Curry Rivel, creating a memorable evening that will remain with students for years to come.

More than 220 students attended the event and enjoyed a choice of delicious refreshments, including pizza, burgers, hot dogs, chicken and chips, followed by ice cream or sorbet.

There was plenty to keep everyone entertained throughout the evening, with activities including a DJ, magic mirror photo booth, casino tables, a photographer, outdoor games such as quoits, wooden skittles and giant Jenga, a giant chair with balloon arch for photographs, a sweet stand, and even a World Cup football match shown in the snug area.

Monkton Wood Academy would like to extend its sincere thanks to Old Oak Farm for hosting the event, Milos Dog Hotel for generously providing the sweet stand, and Vision Living for its £300 sponsorship, all of which helped make the evening such a special occasion.

A spokesperson for Monkton Wood Academy said: “Our annual prom is one of the highlights of the school year and a wonderful opportunity for students to celebrate everything they have achieved together.

“Seeing everyone dressed so elegantly, enjoying themselves and creating lasting memories made for a truly special evening.

“We wish all of our students every success and happiness as they begin the next exciting chapter of their lives.”

 

Read our Full Strategic Plan

Contact Us

CEO: Sir Steve Taylor
Federation House
King's Oak Academy
Brook Road, Bristol
BS15 4JT
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Registered Company: Cabot Learning Federation
Company No: 06207590