Academy Trust Members
A key role of our members is to ensure that the Trustees are governing the Trust effectively. In order to fulfil this role, they are kept up to date with the work of the Trustees.
Sohail Mahmood - Chair of Members
I am 36 years of age; I’m married with 5 children and have lived in Batley most of my life. After completing a degree in Economics (2001), I worked briefly at the University of Bradford before working as a Peripatetic Bursar with Serco, Education Bradford. I left Serco after a number of years and began providing Bursar support to schools independently.
I am now the Director at ‘Sohail Mahmood Consultant Bursar Ltd’. I specialise in Education Financial Management. I have been in this sector for almost 15 years, working across the whole range from 2 Year old Provisions and Nursery Schools to Primary, Special & Secondary Schools.
I’m currently supporting over 30 Schools and Academies. The services offered are varied and in encompass all areas of financial management. I’m working closely with other multi academy trusts, assisting with their formation and providing financial consultancy support. I provide the Responsible Officer role to a number of Academies. I also provide financial training and guidance to governing bodies, head teachers and school business managers about their roles and responsibilities.
I am a governor at the school which my children attend. I am presently Vice Chair and the Chair of Finance, having previously been Chair of Governors. I’m passionate about education and learning. I hope to share with Brontë Academy Trust key skills such as due diligence and strategic vision to assist the Trust to grow and become a beacon of success.
Rebecca Poulsen
I have been connected with Haworth Primary School for over 12 years initially as a parent of two children and then as a volunteer supporting pupils with reading.
I am also a District Councillor representing the Worth Valley on Bradford Council and am a trustee on Haworth Village Trust, Haworth Education Trust and Nell Bank Outdoor Learning Centre.
I am passionate about children achieving their potential.
Kath Waddington
I have been both a Trustee and a Member of the Brontë Academy Trust since the very beginning of its foundation.
My background is in education, having been in teaching for over thirty years. I worked in many different areas of Bradford before moving to Oakworth where I was Headteacher until my retirement. I therefore know the Brontë area and family of schools very well and am proud of the child-centred philosophy which underpins how the Trust is organised.
My role within the Trust is focused on school improvement. I am a regular visitor to the schools and well informed on how each individual school is working towards improving the educational provision on offer to the pupils. Through talking to school leaders, staff and pupils I am able to report to other Trustees and Members on the progress each school is making towards reaching its targets for improvement.