The benefits in terms of the education children receive will be realised through an increase in partnership working amongst local, strong, Catholic schools. Opportunities for sharing of best practice, increased CPD for staff and strong school improvement support will all impact directly on the quality of education delivered across the CAT. However, there is a wider motivation to establishment of the CAT which is to secure, promote, and strengthen Catholic education in the area.
One of the clear benefits for the schools proposing to join the Sancta Familia Catholic Education Trust is around the long-term preservation of Catholic education in the area. Indeed, the Articles of Association of the Trust will state clearly that the ‘conduct’ of schools within the Trust should be in accordance with the teachings, practices and tenets of the Catholic Church.
Therefore, one of the main aims of the Catholic Academy Trust will be to protect and preserve individual schools’ unique charisms, character and the Catholic education each school provides. It will be the responsibility of the Directors, who are all Catholic and appointed by the Archbishop, the Headteachers as well as the Foundation Governors on the Local Governing Bodies to protect and preserve Catholic education in our area of the Archdiocese of Southwark.
Schools within Sancta Familia will continue working together locally, across the Trust and the community.
Being part of a CAT would not automatically mean that the school’s Ofsted rating would improve however being part of the proposed CAT would mean access to school improvement support that is tailored to each school, as well as training and development opportunities for staff.
Schools within the Trust will continue to be notified of funding that they will receive from the DfE according to the annual timetables as set by the DfE. The National Funding Formula will still apply and we are funded per student on roll.
You can find out more about how schools are funded at:
School funding: Everything you need to know - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)
It is intended that over time, the advantages of academy status will have a positive impact on pupils and students through, for example: sharing of good practice and upskilling teachers and support staff; financial savings on back office expenditure (including through shared purchasing where economies of scale can be secured) invested into teaching and learning and enhancements to the school site; opportunities to collaborate on projects across schools within the CAT; appointments to shared positions across schools to provide additional support to pupils (e.g. posts like Education Welfare Officer etc.).
There is no proposal to merge schools. The proposal is for schools to convert to academy status, joining Sancta Familia Catholic Academy Trust. Under this proposal, the schools will still continue to operate with their own governing bodies and will continue to receive funding based on the pupils attending the school. This would be set out in Supplemental Funding Agreements for each school with the Secretary of State for Education.
At the present time our schools can choose to buy in services from the Local Authority or alternative providers. Post conversion the CAT will also be able to purchase services that are effective and value for money from the LA or alternative providers. The CAT will be able to negotiate prices to give economies of scale.
All the schools would continue to be funded individually with their budgets managed by the Local Governing Body. If another school got into financial difficulty, the CAT would support them to rectify this as quickly as possible, in the same way the Local Authority would currently.
A central concept of Catholic Social Teaching is the common good, and the schools that have chosen to work together to protect Catholic education have done so based on their trust and commitment to each other and the wider community that will be formed.
The costs of the central team will be covered within the financial contribution made by each school to cover central services and support – similarly to how the school contributes and pays for support from the Local Authority currently. However, a number of the services that are currently paid for separately through Service Level Agreements (as traded services) with the Local Authority will also be covered within the same contribution. The impact of this model on individual school budgets is being finalised by representative finance professionals from the schools, and will inform the level of financial contribution and services provided within this. The CAT proposes to establish itself with a very small central team of CEO and CFO – the roles required under the Academy Trust Handbook and detailed financial modelling is being undertaken to ensure the schools are not disadvantaged financially or educationally.
Throughout this process, we will ensure that we achieve significant economies of scale which will enable resources to be used for the benefit of the pupils especially with regard to continuing to improve the quality of education in all schools in the CAT
The assumptions here are not in line with the financial positions of the schools proposing to form the CAT. All schools, regardless of phase and type, are under increasing financial pressure. This is why the position of CFO is extremely important and this individual will be appointed to protect the financial interests of all the schools within the CAT, supporting leaders and professionals in school to secure long term financial viability. Regardless of the support of the CFO, each school within the CAT will retain its own budget, i.e. there are no plans to ‘pool’ funds. Therefore, no school will be making any ‘sacrifices’ to keep another afloat.
Clearly, also, the Directors of the Trust, will always ensure that the financial interests of all the schools in the Trust are protected.
Not necessarily, there are extremely qualified, talented and experienced senior leaders and business professionals working in primary schools. The roles of CEO and CFO have not yet been advertised, let alone individuals identified or put forward as suitable candidates. Therefore, assumptions cannot be made about the requisite experience the successful candidates may have. Directors are certainly not dismissive of the talent within the Primary schools and give equal value to this experience.
Staff in the Trust, including senior executives, will be appointed after a rigorous selectin process which will include taking full account of candidates’ range of skills and experience.
Thank you for raising this question. Any such funds raised will continue to be linked to the individual school, not the CAT. Further information can be added to the website and future FAQ documentation that will be issued in September.
The CAT will receive funding from the Department for Education to cover maintenance and improvement of site and buildings. This formulaic grant, the School Condition Allocation (SCA), will then be distributed by the CAT. Further information on current arrangements for school capital funding is available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/school-capital-funding
In addition, for Voluntary Aided schools, the local authority retains the liability and responsibility for the grounds of the school. In a CAT will this liability transfer to the CAT? How will the CAT fund the associated Capital costs?
See above.
Academy Trusts receive grants and funding for the maintenance of school buildings directly from the Government through two schemes depending on their size, either: Condition Improvement Funding (CIF) or School Condition Allocation (SCA). For the proposed size of Sancta Familia in the first tranche, the academy trust will receive a formulaic grant through SCA. It is then for the Trust to decide how to distribute this to schools in the CAT – either by passing through the allocation proportionally to each school for the governing body to spend, or by prioritising projects across all schools and managing this centrally. This is a decision that will be made by Directors, in consultation with the schools, once the development of the Trust has progressed further.
Any donations that are for an individual school, regardless of the purpose of these, will stay with that school.
The support services that will be provided to the schools within the CAT are currently being finalised by representatives of the schools proposing to form the CAT and will be agreed by Directors. Detailed financial modelling is being completed that ensures that the financial contributions made by the school to the CAT is reflected in the number and quality of services benefitting the school. There are a number of core services that schools would expect to see as a minimum such as school improvement and HR advice for example. This differs from the current model whereby the school purchases a number of services from the Local Authority and other providers. Some of the services currently purchased from the Local Authority will be provided by the CAT (as funded by the top slice), and schools may then continue to purchase some services from the Local Authority.
For any services that are outsourced to suppliers/providers, being part of an academy trust will offer opportunities to secure economies of scale not available to individual schools. This will potentially result in savings for the CAT and schools.
It is anticipated that the model of service provision will grow and develop over time as more schools join, and the CAT becomes fully established. Services will also become more focussed on the individual needs of each school.
Normally, governors would hold three full governing body meetings each school year. I.e. normally one a term, plus any committee meetings. However, governors can decide to hold more than three if they wish, as determined by particular needs and circumstances of the school. There is no guidance on the number of governing body meetings that should be held during an academy conversion process, however the schools have extremely dedicated governing bodies who will make time to meet as many times as is necessary.
The Members of the company will be:
Archbishop: The Most Rev. Dr. John Wilson
Episcopal Vicar for Education: Rev. Canon Victor Darlington
Bishop (covering London area): Rev. Bishop Philip Moger
Vicar General: Mgr. Gerard Ewing
Episcopal Vicar for SW London: Rev. Canon Gerard Bradley
Arrangements are currently being finalised on the appointment of Directors and details will be shared imminently. Directors are being identified based on skills required to strategically manage a CAT, as well as having a local connection. The Archdiocese continues to work with its schools and communities to recruit into these positions.
The Executive Officers have not yet been appointed. Recruitment documentation is currently being drafted underpinned by the requirements of the Archdiocese and based on the skills needed to lead the CAT.
Yes, this will be reflected in the Articles of Association for the CAT and the scheme of delegation.
The Catholic Academy Trust is proposed by the fifteen schools named on the website who have applied to the Archdiocese of Southwark to establish Sancta Familia. The Archdiocese will appoint Members and Directors of the Academy Trust.
There will be in place a formal scheme of delegation which sets out how decision-making will work within the CAT. The Headteachers, Governors and Trust Directors involved in the development of the Trust have been very clear that there should be no detrimental impact on the schools joining and that the unique nature and charism of every school, and therefore it’s approach, is protected.
It is completely understandable that stakeholders are unable to support an unknown entity but the schools do hope that through this consultation, questions can be asked and points raised that can shape the formation of the Trust. The schools wish to consult with their communities as early as possible on whether it is right for their individual school to pursue academy status. Unfortunately, there is a difficult balance in consulting early on the proposals to ensure genuine engagement in decision making, and having fully developed plans that appear to show that the decision to go forward with the proposals are inevitable. Your feedback in this sense is valuable to governors and will be taken into consideration when reviewing the consultation and making a decision on whether to move ahead with proposals.
The decision to establish the Sancta Familia Catholic Academy Trust has already been taken and an application has been made to the Department for Education, hence some references to ‘when’. This consultation is being run by individual schools on the question of whether their school should become an academy, joining Sancta Familia Catholic Academy Trust. This is a proposal presented by the Governing Body and a decision on whether to progress with the proposal will be made following consultation.
The purpose of the current consultation is not to seek feedback on the establishment of the Catholic Academy Trust (CAT), as this decision has already been made. The governors of individual schools are consulting with school stakeholders on the proposal for their school to convert to academy status and join Sancta Familia Academy Trust. As part of the consultation it is important to provide information on the plans for Sancta Familia CAT so stakeholders have as much detail as possible to form an opinion and provide feedback on the proposal for their school to change its current maintained status and join the CAT.
The consultation is being completed in line with the Academies Act (2010) which does not specify how long the consultation period should last. Information was shared with stakeholders on 19th June 2023 with open consultation meetings held during the Summer term. The schools will continue to promote the consultation period at the start of the new academic year. Throughout, we have thought it important that face to face consultations take place during term time.
At the end of the consultation period, governors will review feedback received to date and will take a view on whether interested groups, individuals and organisations have had a reasonable opportunity to respond, in line with the Department for Education guidance available here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/convert-to-an-academy-information-for-schools/3-prepare-for-conversion#consultation .
The governors may wish to extend the consultation period if they assess that this is necessary.
The consultation website represents one method of communication included in consultation activity. Information has been provided to staff, parents/carers and pupils in different forms including at face-to-face meetings. As with all information issued by the school, translated or adapted copies are available on request. Translators are also available to attend any school meetings if required.
See above
See above
Staffing levels would not change as a result of the school becoming an academy. Staff would transfer on their current contracts which would be protected under the TUPE regulations.
There would be no change to the Headteacher as a result of academy conversion.
The proposed CAT has confirmed that it will recognise continuity of service between the schools within it, and for any staff joining from other schools (regardless of maintained or academy status) or Local Authorities.
The proposals are silent on this matter as consultation is being completed at an early stage before detailed plans in areas such as this are developed. A trade union recognition agreement will be developed as a priority, but at this stage i.e. before incorporation and the appointment of any senior leaders, it would seem premature to finalise aspects such as this.
As above, the proposals are at an early stage but Directors have confirmed that legal advice would be sought on the issue of having inner and outer London weightings under a single employer. What has been made clear throughout discussions and plans to date is that staff will not be required to work in other schools. The place of work specified in staff members’ current contracts will not change. Whilst opportunities may arise for staff in other schools, as is the case now, it is for staff to decide if they wish to take advantage of this or not.
More generally, the contracts which staff have now will transfer over to the CAT unchanged and will be protected under the TUPE regulations.
As above, there are no requirements for staff to work across a number of schools, unless they wish to do so.
As noted above, the contracts which staff have now will transfer over to the CAT unchanged and will be protected under the TUPE regulations
As above, there are no requirements for staff to work across a number of schools, unless they wish to do so.
As noted above, the contracts which staff have now will transfer over to the CAT unchanged and will be protected under the TUPE regulations.
The Academy Trust will apply for ‘admitted body status’ as an employer within the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) which will allow pension arrangements to continue ‘as is’ for employees.
Teachers will continue to have access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme in exactly the same way as currently.
Yes, all the trade unions named above have been contacted.
Yes, a Headteacher could be transferred to another school, but only in the same way as this could happen currently, i.e. with the approval of the member of staff and the school’s governing body. The scheme of delegation which is currently being developed is a vital document in this respect as it will formalise the level decisions such as these will be made.
Protection for all staff comes from the TUPE regulations when there is a change in employer. If the school decides to move ahead with academy conversion, joining Sancta Familia CAT, it is expected that further guarantees and information will be shared with staff as part of the formal TUPE process, and when the CAT itself has been established and plans developed.
We can confirm the same commitment on adherence to the Green Book as provided for the Burgundy Book. This is indeed an oversight that arose as the original questions relating to this were submitted by teaching staff and were therefore answered in that context only. You are correct to raise this, and it will be addressed.
All the answers provided in the FAQs, including those on terms and conditions, relate to post-conversion. The new organisation, as in the Academy Trust, will have its own structure but this doesn’t mean that staffing structures in school need to change. The Academy Trust central structure will be set up to support schools, not to replace roles in schools. Clearly, structures in schools (maintained and academies) do change in response to many external factors and there is no change in this respect. However, no maintaining authority -either Local Authority or Academy Trust – could make a genuine commitment that anything in a school will never change as it is not possible to predict the future. What the Directors of the proposed academy trust are wishing to share with staff at this point is that they have no intention to make changes and they feel strongly that terms and conditions should be honoured from the point of transfer.
The wording used in answers to the questions regarding honoring terms and conditions are not intended to be non-committal, the Steering Group and Directors want to reassure staff as much as is possible on these matters. However, commitment can only be given in so much as it could be now by a school or maintaining authority, with no knowledge of what may happen in the future.
The schools proposing to establish the CAT have worked together to develop a shared vision, mission statement, and set of values around advancing and securing Catholic education.
These are:
Vision
Christ at the Centre
Our Catholic schools will be places of excellence providing service and witness to our students, their families and the wider community.
Mission
The mission of the Trust is to provide our students with a well-rounded Catholic education that fully develops each person with an emphasis on academic excellence and flourishing personal development regardless of background or prior attainment. The Trust will provide exemplary levels of support to our schools to ensure the highest quality of education through ambitious, impactful leadership, governance and financial management. The Trust will ensure sustainable recruitment, retention and professional development of staff at all levels to enable a well-qualified and expert staff community.
Values
The values below will underpin the policy and decision-making of our Trust:
Service and Faith in Action
We reflect the distinctive Catholic nature of our schools in our policy and practice. We firmly embed Catholic Social Teaching in the life of our schools. We provide opportunities for all our communities to deepen, explore and live out their Charism, faith and spirituality.
Family and Student Centred
Our distinct Catholic nature rooted in the Gospel values seeks to accompany students and families of all faiths. We respect and provide for the diverse needs of all our students and their families.
Inclusion and Diversity
We value, listen and respond to the needs of our diverse communities. We aim for our staff and Local Governing Boards (LGB) and Directors to reflect the communities we serve.
Ethical Leadership
The Trust operates through the principles of ethical leadership, integrity, respect, trust, fairness, transparency and honesty.
Apologies if the phrasing here has caused concern. The intention was to reassure parents and carers that there are no plans to make changes to individual schools as a result of academy conversion. The Headteachers, Governors and Trust Directors involved in the development of the Trust have been very clear that there should be no detrimental impact on the schools joining and that the unique nature and charism of every school, and therefore it’s approach, is protected.
A broad outline of the process is as follows:
Whilst the schools proposing to join the CAT were separated into tranches for the purposes of planning, in reality the conversion dates for the schools will be spread out across a number of months due to the nature of the academy conversion process and the complex legal work that needs to take place in some cases. This may mean that schools originally in tranche 2 would begin to progress through the conversion process alongside some tranche 1 schools. The importance of ‘tranches’ was to ensure that the CAT grew at a steady pace and in a phased manner to ensure the embedding of systems and processes before more schools joined. Our schools are well-placed to ensure that the initial set up of the CAT, including all the systems and processes, is completed successfully and in line with the expectations of each school.
There is currently no mechanism for the school to return to Local Authority control once the academy conversion process is complete. However, joining a CAT is not irreversible. In the highly unlikely event that the school needs to leave the CAT, the Archdiocese of Southwark will identify an alternative suitable Catholic Academy Trust for the school to join.
As referenced in earlier questions, the term ‘tranches’ was used to aid planning.
The rationale for the phased growth is that the schools themselves wish to establish the Trust in this way, to allow systems and processes to become embedded before other schools join.. This is to mitigate the risks identified in the establishment of previous CATs whereby growth was not managed correctly. Individual schools have been able to state as to which phase they wish to be in, taking account of their individual circumstances.
There is no ‘hidden agenda’.
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