Liverpool: 14 schools across Archdiocese approved to join Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts

Archbishop John Sherrington

Source: Archdiocese of Liverpool

Fourteen schools across the Archdiocese of Liverpool have achieved a significant milestone after receiving approval from the Department for Education (DfE) to become academies and join Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts (CMATs).

The approval, granted by the DfE's Regional Director for the North West, marks the beginning of the formal conversion process for the schools, which will join either the Pope Francis CMAT or St Joseph CMAT.

The announcement follows the launch of Archbishop John Sherrington's vision for Catholic education across the Archdiocese in April under the A Family in Christ: Our Future Together strategy.

The launch came 12 months after the publication of Pope Leo XIV's Drawing New Maps of Hope Apostolic Letter and following the Government's Schools White Paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, which set an expectation that every state-funded school will join or form a strong school trust, recognising the benefits of schools working together to improve outcomes for children and families.

The mission-led strategy outlined plans to develop families of schools that will work collaboratively for the good of all children and students and to enhance the future of Catholic education in the archdiocese.

The following schools have been approved to join Pope Francis Catholic Multi-Academy Trust:

St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, Lydiate
St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale
St John's Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale
St James' Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Scarisbrick
Great Crosby Catholic Primary School, Crosby
St Jerome's Catholic Primary School, Formby
St John's Catholic Primary School, Burscough

The following schools have been approved to join St Joseph Catholic Multi-Academy Trust:

Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, St Helens
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, St Helens
Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, St Helens
St Anne's Catholic Primary School, St Helens
St Mary's, Blackbrook Catholic Primary School, St Helens
St Peter and St Paul's Catholic Primary School, St Helens

Archbishop John Sherrington said: "It is incredible that six months have passed since I announced a new vision for the future of Catholic education across our Archdiocese under the A Family in Christ: Our Future Together strategy.

"Turning a vision into reality requires commitment and collaboration. Over the past six months, significant progress has been made across the Archdiocese. I'm pleased that, within a relatively short timeframe, 14 schools have already completed the conversion application process and I thank all school communities and the Education Service for their hard work and dedication"

Joan McCarthy, Director of Education for the Archdiocese of Liverpool, said: "This is an important moment for these 14 schools and the communities they serve.

"The approval reflects the commitment shown by school leaders, staff and governors throughout the application process and the collaborative work between them, the trust and the archdiocese. I look forward to seeing these schools complete their conversion, become part of their Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts and continue to go from strength to strength as they work together as a Family in Christ."

Andrew Dawson, CEO of Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust said: "We are delighted that DfE have granted approval for the 8 schools that have chosen to join the Pope Francis Catholic Multi Academy Trust. Each school will very much retain its own heritage and identity and will continue to serve its distinct community in its own way, but it will now have the benefit of belonging to a wider family of schools with collaboration at its heart."

Andrew Truby, CEO of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust said: "We are so pleased to welcome these six schools to the St Joseph family. We look forward to welcoming pupils, staff and communities and working together to help every child flourish."