Studio School Council

Governance within a multi-academy trust

Digitech Studio School 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.

The Clerk to Academy Council, Wendy Hellin, can be contacted by email: Wendy.Hellin@clf.uk

Chair of Studio School Council – Rob Gillman

I am delighted to have the opportunity to Chair the Digitech Academy Council and to be involved in such an exciting, innovative and creative education programme that is so attuned to the changing patterns of employment and opportunity in the world in which we live.

By way of background, I have previously had a near 30 year career in financial services, specialising in risk management. I was also involved for 5 years in another CLF Academy where I worked as a volunteer supporting GCSE Maths and also served on the Academy Council including as Chair for 18 months.

Vacancy – Sponsor Appointee

Lewis Wild – Sponsor Appointee

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve as a member of the Digitech Studio School Council.

Digitech is very close to my heart, having been a student here from 2015 to 2019.
The Studio School gave me the chance to study subjects that genuinely interested me and helped shape my future. That experience led me to undertake a degree apprenticeship with the Cabot Learning Federation and begin my career in cyber security.

After completing my apprenticeship, I worked as a Cyber Security Engineer for the trust until December 2025. I am proud of the journey that began at Digitech and remain passionate about supporting the school in continuing to provide high quality, industry focused education and strong outcomes for its students and the wider community.

Katherine Ogden – Senior Principal

Stephanie Martin – Local Authority Rep

Matt Pincott – Parent Councillor

Vacancy – Parent Councillor

V Balasco – Support Staff Councillor

Ashley Williams – Teaching Staff Councillor

I am pleased to join Digitech’s Academy Council having joined the teaching staff in September 2024. I’ve immediately recognised the care, support and insight the Council can provide.

Alongside my day to day role as Digitech’s Head of English, I hope to support the Council in its mission to support Digitech to offer students in the local area a high-quality education focused on media, employability and strong outcomes. Like other members of the Council, I grew up and studied in this area; I am entering my 14th year of teaching, as determined as ever to support students, and look forward to helping young people in Bristol and the South-West achieve highly.