Diocese of Leeds

Welcome to our Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Information Evening

Diocese of Leeds AgendaWelcome, Introductions and Purpose

To Give information

Where are we now?What do we want for the future?What does this mean for schoolsWhat does this mean for my child?

An opportunity to ask questions or comment

Diocese of Leeds Catholic Schools are DISTINCTIVEOur Catholic schools are provided to

Assist Catholic parents in their duty of educatingtheir children.

Governors of our schools, and in particular foundation governors, have a responsibility to ensure that, at all times, the school is conducted in accordance with the Diocesan Trust Deed and serves as a witness to Jesus Christ in every aspect of its work.

Diocese of Leeds

•National development of a new school to school based model of support

•New role of local authorities – brokers and commissioners not deliverers

•New models of schools – trusts, academies and free schools / possible forced conversion of underperforming schools

A Time for Change and Renewal?

Diocese of Leeds Why Now?•What happened in 2011/12?

•North Yorkshire Commission •Desire to work closely with other Catholic schools•Since Autumn, school have been investigating the Bishop Wheeler Academy by visiting Trust schools, talking to headteachers and staff and looking at the benefits•Governors met in January and made the decision to begin the consultation process•An academy order has been grated

Diocese of Leeds What is an Academy?

An academy is a state-funded school which operates independently within the requirements of national codes of practice for state schools, however, unlike a state school it receives its funding directly from central government rather than through a local authority.

Diocese of Leeds

• Decision from Diocesan Trustee in Leeds to explore Academies in the Diocese

• The model in this Diocese is that of a Catholic Multi Academy Trust, i.e. a group of academies coming together under one trust

Diocese of Leeds What is a Catholic Multi-Academy Trust?

• A Catholic Multi Academy Trust is simply a number of Catholic Academies who agree to work together within an overarching trust body.

• The Diocese of Leeds has suggested groupings to explore the Catholic Multi Academy Trust to avoid any school being left isolated.

There are certain non negotiable from the CES and DioceseCatholic Head, Deputies and Head of RE for example.

Conditions of service remain (CES Contract)……….

Diocese of Leeds The Proposed Model

Diocesan Council

Multi Academy Trust A

Wakefield

Multi Academy Trust BKirklees

Multi Academy Trust E

Bradford

Multi Academy Trust D

Menston and Harrogate

Multi Academy Trust C

Inner Leeds

Diocese of Leeds

TrustBoard

St Joseph’s Pudsey

St Peter & St PaulYeadon

St Mary’s Menston

St Joseph's

Otley

Sacred Heart Ilkley

DioceseStaff x2Parents x2Head Teachers x4Diocesan Officer x1Foundation x12

Staff 1 or 2Parents 1Head Teacher 1Foundation 5 or 6

St Mary’s Horsforth

Diocese of Leeds Catholic Multi Academy Trusts – Key Principles

Collective Responsibility

Partnership Working

Collaboration

Support

United In Faith

Trusts are collectively responsible for all children

Promotion of strong positive links through partnership working with parishes and families

Collaboration with other academies and trusts to share best practice

No individual school left in a vulnerable position. Support will be available from other schools

The Catholic faith is at the heart of the Trust and academies will promote spiritual, educational and pastoral provision for staff and pupils

Diocese of Leeds So what will it mean for my child?They will come to the same school building

They will work with the same staff

They will wear the same uniform

They will serve and live as a part of Diocese and the building and land will still be owned by the Diocese of Leeds

They will be part of their local community taking part in project links

Diocese of Leeds Concerns and our thoughts

Won’t this cost a lot of money?Legal fees to convert. A one off grant supports this.

Does becoming an Academy mean schools have less money and therefore need to lose staff?

No. Schools would have the same level of funding and it would be received directly. It is up to the schools to budget for costs accordingly and understand requirements.

Diocese of Leeds Concerns and our thoughts

Would schools continue to use the Local Authority?

Yes if that is best for them, however the Local Authority landscape is evolving too with many more moving to selling their services or reducing capacity.

Why change a system that is working?

Many would love to keep the status quo. However the government is keen on school to school work rather than LA support. Also the diocese would like a system to protect and support the mission of the Catholic church

Diocese of Leeds Opportunities

• VA schools would no longer have to contribute 10% directly to capital projects

• VA Schools pay VAT on capital equipment at the moment, Academies do not

• By being part of a multi academy trust there are direct and indirect opportunities for sharing resources

• Direct– The Trust could employ specialist staff directly that schools could

utilise e.g. school improvement staff• Indirect

– The Trust could use its economies of scale to ensure the best deals were available for schools to access goods and services e.g. access to HR services that understand Catholic terms and conditions

Diocese of Leeds

Thank you for attending this evening and for your continued support.