Hundreds of schools across Merseyside are set to be transformed into academies in what is being described as the most significant educational shake-up in the region in a generation. The Archdiocese of Liverpool plans to seize full control of its network of nearly 230 primary and secondary schools, as well as several colleges, through a process of academisation.
A Shift in Educational Control
A total of 217 schools located in Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Widnes, and Warrington, along with parts of Wigan and Lancashire, will be moved away from local authority control. These establishments will be transferred to three separate Catholic multi-academy trusts over the coming years.
Under the current Voluntary Aided system, the Archdiocese owns the land and buildings, but the schools are operated under local authority control. The new reforms will move all 230 schools in the network to be independent of local authorities and managed directly by the Archdiocese and its trusts.
The Three-Trust Structure
The transition will be managed through three distinct trusts. The Pope Francis Multi Academy Trust and the St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust already exist and will expand significantly to incorporate dozens of new schools.
The Pope Francis Trust will oversee schools in Lancashire and Sefton, while the St Joseph Trust will manage schools in St Helens and Liverpool. A third entity, the Our Lady of Lourdes North West Trust, is expected to be formed within the next year to include schools in Widnes, Wigan, Warrington, and Knowsley.
The transition will occur in waves. Each trust is planned to have two to three hubs, each led by a Catholic senior leader.
Mission and Accountability
The Most Reverent John Sherrington, the Archbishop of Liverpool, stated that the move is being made “for the good of all children, who are at the centre of our educational work and mission.” He noted that the trust system provides greater support for staff and allows the Archdiocese to support the “weakest, the poorest schools.”
Archbishop Sherrington emphasized a holistic approach to education, stating that the goal is to develop “all dimensions of the person,” including spirituality, emotion, art, sport, and information, rather than maintaining a “simply an intellectual focus.”
Addressing concerns regarding the transparency of academy schools, the Archbishop explained that a system of accountability will be in place. Multi-Academy Trusts will have members who appoint foundation directors, a board of directors to oversee the school, and local governing bodies for each individual school.
Impact on Staff and Pupils
The Archdiocese has stated that the organizational change will not result in widespread changes for students or employees. Joan McCarthy, the director of education for the Archdiocese, confirmed that school uniforms and the general appearance of the schools will not change.
McCarthy assured staff that they will be “TUPE’d across” to the new system, ensuring they maintain the exact same pay and conditions. She noted that the Archdiocese has been discussing these changes with schools for nearly four years to ensure heads and governors were prepared.
Future Outlook
As the transition progresses, the first wave of affected schools is currently being informed. The formation of the Our Lady of Lourdes North West Trust is a likely next step in the coming year.
Depending on the outcome of the first waves, the Archdiocese may further refine the hub-and-spoke leadership model. The effectiveness of the board of directors in identifying and rectifying negative trends could determine how the model is scaled across the remaining schools in the network.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are moving to the academy system?
A total of 217 schools across various regions—including Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Widnes, Warrington, and parts of Lancashire and Wigan—will be transferred. All 230 schools in the Archdiocese network will become academies.
Will this change the daily experience for students?
According to Joan McCarthy, the director of education, the move will not change how the schools look or the uniforms students wear, as the Archdiocese intends for each school’s individuality to remain.
What happens to the employment terms of current staff?
Staff will be TUPE’d across to the new trusts, meaning they will retain the exact same pay and conditions they had under the previous system.
How do you experience about the shift from local authority control to centralized religious trusts in regional education?
