Everyone associated with the CLF has a story which describes their own relationship with our trust. For most, this relationship transcends the professional and reaches into the emotional and personal spheres. Our narratives shape what the CLF is, what it does and what it has come to mean to people.
Our trust itself has its own story, which exists through the storytellers, and which takes on a new light with each evolving interpretation.
Storytellers
A History of the CLF
2007
John Cabot Academy Trust
John Cabot Academy and Bristol Brunel Academy become a soft Federation in September 2007 the first partnership of the yet to be Cabot Learning Federation.
Bristol Brunel opened in 2007. Built on the grounds of Speedwell Technology College, this was the first secondary school in the UK to be completed as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme and was opened by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Under the guidance of CEO David Carter the Cabot Learning Federation was established as a single multi-academy trust in 2009. John Cabot Academy, Bristol Brunel Academy and Bristol Metropolitan Academy were the first academies within the Federation.
Bristol Metropolitan Academy
Set in the heart of Fishponds Bristol Metropolitan Academy, formerly Bristol Metropolitan College, joined the Federation in 2009. With students speaking over fifty different languages, Bristol Metropolitan has been one of the top performing academies in the country.
In 2011 Hans Price Academy, in Weston-super-Mare transferred to the Federation. Formerly Wyvern Community School Hans Price Academy was named after Hans Price who was the architect responsible for much of the development of Weston-super-Mare, during the Victorian era.
Also in 2011 the former Kingsfield School transferred to the Cabot Learning Federation, renamed King’s Oak Academy one of its most notable students was planetary scientist Colin Pillinger. Colin was the principal investigator for Beagle 2 Mars lander project, part of European Space Agency’s (ESA) 2003 Mars Express mission.
Summerhill Academy, in St George joined the Federation in 2012. Summerhill Academy along with Minerva, Begbrook and Frome Vale were the first primaries to join the Federation.
Minerva Academy, located in the Hillfields estate joined the Federation in 2012. Minerva Academy along with Summerhill, Begbrook and Frome Vale were the first primaries to join the Federation.
Frome Vale Academy, in Downend joined the Federation in 2012. Frome Vale Academy along with Minerva, Begbrook and Summerhill were the first primaries to join the Federation.
Begbrook Academy, in Stapleton joined the Federation in 2012. Begbrook Academy along with Minerva, Frome Vale and Summerhill were the first primaries to join the Federation.
In November 2012 the Prime Minister David Cameron brought his entire Government to John Cabot Academy for a regional Government meeting. This was the first time a meeting like this had ever taken place in a school locally or nationally.
2013
Wallscourt Farm Academy
In 2013 the Cabot Learning Federation welcomed a brand new primary academy. Wallscourt Farm Academy, was built on the Wallscourt Farm Estate in Stoke Gifford to cater for families who had moved on to the newly built housing estate.
In April 2014 Sir David Carterresigned from the post of Chief Executive Officer of the Cabot Learning Federation to take up the position of Regional Schools Commissioner for the South West.
Hanham Woods Academy
In 2014 Hanham Woods Academy joined the Cabot Learning Federation. Previously Hanham High one of its most notable students was Stephen Merchant, the co-writer and co-director of the popular British sitcom The Office.
Steve Taylor was appointed the new CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation. Steve’s former roles were Principal – Bristol Metropolitan Academy, and Executive Principal of the Cabot Learning Federation.
The Acorn
In 2015 a brand new primary building was opened by the Rt Hon MP Nicky Morgan on the grounds of King’s Oak Academy. Named the Acorn this is the Cabot Learning Federation’s first all through school.
Digitech Studio School
Digitech Studio School the first of its kind in Bristol joined the Cabot Learning Federation in 2015. A brand new build Digitech is a small studio school for students aged 14-19 that delivers a specialised curriculum for progression into the creative digital and high tech sectors.
City Academy transferred to the Cabot Learning Federation in 2016. Set in the heart of the city of Bristol, City Academy is a vibrant, multi-cultural and dynamic academy.
Digitech Officially Opened by HRH the Princess Royal
In March 2017 Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal officially opened Digitech Studio School. The Princess Royal spent about an hour touring the brand new building. HRH also met with staff, students, and parents.
In October 2017 BBC Radio Bristol’s Breakfast Show, presented by Emma Britton, broadcast live from Digitech Studio School. The first time the programme had ever broadcast live from a school.
2018
Evergreen Primary Academy
Set in the heart of Easton, Evergreen Primary Academy joined the Cabot Learning Federation in 2018. Evergreen thrives on diversity and welcomes children and families from all over the world to join their happy community where we celebrate each other’s strengths and uniqueness.
In November 2018 Minerva Primary Academy’s brand new state-of-the-art building was officially opened by novelist, cookery writer, TV personality and business woman Prue Leith CBE.
2019
Herons’ Moor Academy
Herons’ Moor Academy located in Weston-super-Mare is a primary academy that transferred to the Cabot Learning Federation in 2019.
Bristol Futures Academy joined the Federation in 2019. Bristol Futures Academy is based in the Barton Hill area of Bristol and is an alternative provision for pupils struggling in main stream schools.
Broadoak Academy joined the Federation in July 2019. Broadoak Academy will join the CLF’s North Somerset cluster of schools which include Hans Price Academy, Herons’ Moor Academy and Haywood Village Academy. View Our Academies
CLF Anniversary
In September 2019, the Cabot Learning Federation celebrated its 10-year anniversary. Since 2009 the CLF has developed from a small Bristol-based secondary education partnership to an instinctively collaborative ambitious organisation of over 20 schools, serving the educational needs of over 12,000 children and young people aged 3 to 19.
2020
Winterstoke Hundred Academy
Named after a historic parish of Weston-super-Mare, Winterstoke Hundred Academy opened in September 2020, welcoming its first cohort of Year 7 and Year 12 students.
Uphill Primary School, a primary school set in the heart of Weston-super-Mare, formally joined the CLF in October 2020, and in doing so became Uphill Village Academy.
