Academy Council

Lansdown Park Academy 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.

Chair of Academy Council

Kathryn Volk Chair of Academy Council

I graduated from university in South Africa with a degree in Veterinary Science and worked as an Associate Veterinarian at a local practice.

I strongly believe that the greatest gift we can give a child is an education. I felt that by joining the academy council it would enable me to do my best to ensure that every child received the best possible education available to them.

Academy Council Members

Laura Maley, Academy Councillor, Vice Principal at Snowdon Village

Laura Maley is Vice Principal of Snowdon Village, a family of schools that sit within the Cabot Learning Federation currently responsible for Quality of Education and safeguarding. Since qualifying as an Art teacher in Cardiff in 2004, Laura has spent over twenty years working in the education sector across a wide variety of positions, including Head of Department, Advanced Skills, School Improvement, and several Senior Leadership roles.
Laura leads on CPD training for GCSE Art and Design for Eduqas and is the Assistant Principal moderator supporting with the development of new specifications, ensuring National standards are maintained and working with the senior team to produce examination papers for two qualifications.
Outside of her teaching life, Laura is a qualified Reiki Master, Ashtanga yoga teacher and Reflexologist.

Kristy Chambers, Safeguarding Sponsor Councillor

My name is Kristy and I joined Lansdown Academy as a Councillor (Safeguarding Lead) in 2024. I have been a social worker for over 20 years, working in children services. I am delighted to be a councillor for Lansdown to collaborate with the leadership team to uphold high standards of learning, teaching and safeguarding.

Amy Crown , Parent Councillor

Amy Crown is an experienced finance leader with a background spanning education, investment, and large complex organisations. She is currently a Fractional Finance Director, supporting growing organisations with financial strategy, governance, and long‑term planning.

Amy is a Chartered Management Accountant and has held senior leadership roles across the public, private, and third sectors, including education, charitable organisations, and investment businesses. Her experience includes overseeing large budgets, strengthening financial controls, supporting sustainable growth, and working closely with boards and executive teams.

She joined Lansdown Park Academy in 2025 having spent time at CLF and gained a passion for their values and mission, creating equity through education. Amy is passionate about the role strong governance and sound financial stewardship play in enabling excellent education and is committed to supporting school leadership to ensure resources are used effectively so that every child can thrive.