MEET THE ACADEMY COUNCIL

..WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME PART OF THE ACADEMY COUNCIL?

ACADEMY COUNCILLORS ARE VOLUNTEERS THAT HAVE:

• An interest in the performance of the School
• A desire to positively contribute to and represent the community
• An open and enquiring mind
• The ability to look at issues objectively
• The confidence to ask questions and join in debates
• A willingness to listen and use the information they are given to make informed decisions
• The ability to work with the Headteacher, staff and the Academy Council
• Time to spare to attend all Academy Council meetings and to spend time in school when necessary
• An ability to maintain confidentiality in all circumstances.
• An ability to think strategically

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACADEMY COUNCILLORS ON THE REGISTER?

The Academy Council is made up of 4 – 5 different appointments.  There is the Headteacher, a staff academy councillor, parent academy councillor, foundation academy councillors and sometimes there is an academy councillor from the LA (Local Authority) or the Trust.  They all have equal say and equal voting rights.  Each academy councillor represents a different part of the School community and their role is to represent the thoughts of that part of the community.

WHAT IS THE ACADEMY COUNCIL’S ROLE?

The Academy Council of our school plays a key role in:

• Setting targets for raising standards in educational achievement.
• Monitoring the progress towards meeting these targets.
• Supporting, and when appropriate, challenging the Headteacher and senior leaders
• Deciding on policies and future development plans.
• Monitoring the impact of actions taken by the school to improve learning for pupils.
• Understanding what it is like to be a child at St Paulinus.

As well as attending all Academy council meetings, Councillors are also asked to look at specific areas of the school’s work in more detail.  To help support Academy Councillors in understanding their role, everyone has access to further training to help build their knowledge and understanding.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT MEETINGS THE ACADEMY COUNCIL ATTEND?

At St Paulinus, the council meets 7 times a year for a Full Academy Council meeting.  These meeting last between 1 and 2 hours.  During these meetings, Councillors are presented with information, ask questions and vote on different areas e.g. policies etc.  Academy Councillors are also warmly invited into school to see policies and procedures in action so they can make a more informed decision.

In the meetings the follow areas are discussed:

CATHOLIC LIFE AND MISSION 

To ensure that the Diocesan vision for Catholic education is articulated through the school’s mission statement; and is clearly and effectively reflected in it’s policies, development plans and practices.

STANDARDS AND EFFECTIVENESS 

To provide support and challenge to the leadership of the School and to hold them to account in relation to the quality of educational provision including: the quality of teaching and learning; pupil progress and outcomes for pupils; the quality of the curriculum provision and delivery; behaviour and safety of pupils.

RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT 

To provide support and challenge to the leadership of the School and to hold them to account in relation to the use of resources to support the priorities of the school including: the leadership of teaching and learning; the School budget; the employment and development of staff; the premises.

The meetings can often be very interesting and varied – our Academy Council has a real impact on what happens in School.

HOW CAN I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY COUNCIL?

Parent Academy Councillor – to become a Parent Academy Councillor you need to have children in the school.  Parent Academy Councillor are always voted in by other parents through a whole school vote organised by the School.  There are a maximum of 2 parent governors on the Academy Council at any one time and, when there is a vacancy, the school will advertise it to all parents.

Foundation Academy councillor – to become a Foundation Academy councillor you need to be a practicing Catholic and Fr Jonathan, or another priest, will need to recommend you.  Foundation Academy councillors are appointed by Leeds Diocese.  If you are interested in becoming a Foundation Academy councillor, the school holds the application forms you will need to complete to send to the Diocese.

Staff Academy Councillor – To be this type of councillor, you need to be a paid member of the staff of St Paulinus.  Volunteers are asked to come forward and the staff Academy Councillor appointed is voted in by the staff of St Paulinus.

Associate Academy Councillors – these are councillors that join the Academy Council due to their role in school.  The Academy Council decide if they can attend meetings and what voting rights they have.

We currently have a couple of Foundation Academy Council vacancies, if you think you may be interested in becoming a Foundation Academy Councillor  of St Paulinus, please contact school for more information

HOW LONG IS A COUNCILLORS TERM?

Once appointed, a Councillors term lasts for 4 years unless they resign at an earlier stage.  After 4 years a councillor will need to be voted in for a second term if they wish to continue in the role, or in the case of foundation Academy councillors, they will need to apply to the diocese to request a second term.