Chantelle, can you tell us about your career background and what led you to become Chair of the Academy Council at GOPA?
My background is in finance, mainly working in the construction sector and currently serving as the finance lead at my local church. Both of my children have attended Great Ouse Primary Academy, with my eldest being one of the first cohort at the new school. I was interested in adding value to the GOPA community, so initially I joined the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and then later, the Academy Council.
What are your main responsibilities as Chair, and how do they differ from what regular academy councillors do?
As councillors, we help support the headteacher by keeping them accountable regarding the performance of the school. Councillors represent parents, pupils, and other interests. My role involves bringing focus to discussions and providing feedback and updates between councillors and the Head. We also visit the school, write reports about our visits, and hold events like breakfasts to thank teachers for their hard work.
How do you engage parents and the local community in this role?
Myself and other councillors enjoy volunteering and supporting the PTA, as well as helping out with local school trips. I value the ideas from other councillors on how we can make our meetings and community engagement better. For example, we’ve reached out to local builders to see if they can support our school trips.
What do you love most about being an academy councillor?
GOPA is a lovely diverse family, and it’s great to be part of it. I love that everyone genuinely wants to make the school great, on a good day. I like the sense of community.
What does the time commitment look like for someone in this role?
Like any volunteer role, being an academy councillor requires dedication and time management. There’s a learning curve in understanding the expectations and responsibilities. Staying on top of communications, such as emails and newsletters, is an important part of the role. I’ve found setting phone notifications helpful for this. We also work together to find meeting times that accommodate everyone’s schedules, as council members often have varied work commitments. While it can be a juggling act at times, the rewards of contributing to the school community make it worthwhile.
What is it like to be part of Meridian Trust?
Being part of Meridian Trust is beneficial. I can connect with other chairs at different schools to share ideas or get support, which helps create a collaborative atmosphere and makes us more effective.
What qualities or experiences should someone have if they’re thinking about becoming an academy councillor?
To be an effective academy councillor, it is essential to support the headteacher by offering appropriate challenges and support in their role. Meridian Trust provides training to guide councillors on what this can look like. Most importantly, having a genuine desire to make the school better for all stakeholders is key. This desire for improvement will really help you make a positive impact in the school community.
What advice would you offer to new councillors?
I would say that it takes time to feel secure in the role, so give yourself the grace to learn and grow at your own pace. My advice is to ask questions, seek clarity, and share thoughts with other council members outside of meetings. Building those relationships can be very helpful as you navigate your responsibilities.
If you have been inspired by Chantelle’s story and are interested in becoming a member of an Academy Council, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch, either via your school office or by emailing: Governance@MeridianTrust.co.uk.
