Diocese of Westminster Catholic Academy Trust Strategy Overview

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The Diocese of Westminster Catholic Academy Trust (CAT) is focused on putting children first, embracing change, and fostering collaboration among schools. Their strategy includes defining hubs and Family CATs, addressing the challenges faced by schools and local authorities, and proposing a model to support school growth and development. Key components involve establishing small local hubs, expansion to 11 Family CATs covering about 5000 students, and setting up a Central Team to ensure financial viability and effective governance. The Diocese aims to support schools in procurement, avoid direct service delivery, and maintain headteachers' authority over their schools.

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Diocese of Westminster Catholic Academy Trust Strategy

Diocese of Westminster Children are the priority Change is the reality Collaboration is the strategy

Diocese of Westminster Essential reading Family of Schools; Implementation of Catholic Academy Trusts http://rcdow.org.uk/education/academies-/

Diocese of Westminster Contents 1) Definitions 2) Diocese Vision for CATs 3) Why are we doing this now? 4) Implementation 5) Progress in 2018 and plans for 2019 6) Next Steps

Diocese of Westminster 1) Definitions What is a Hub? A Hub is a (Local Authority or other) grouping of Schools within a Family CAT What is a Family CAT ? A CAT is a term used by the Diocese of Westminster to refer to an Academy Trust embracing all Catholic Schools in one of its 11 Families

Diocese of Westminster CEO CFO Co sec HR CAT Board Standards Officer Admin LAC 1 LAC 2 LAC 3 LAC 4 School 1 School 2 School 3 School 4

Diocese of Westminster 2) Why are we doing this now? Severe pressure on School and LA budgets Reductions in capacity of LAs to provide adequate resources to support schools Schools in some LA areas in the Diocese have seen recent decline in applications Schools will need to do more with less and realise economies of scale from working with other schools Whilst the threat of forced Academisation has been withdrawn, the DfE has increased powers of intervention in underperforming schools. MATs remain core to Government s education & School improvement policy

Diocese of Westminster 3) Proposed Model Start with small local hubs of schools Grow to embrace 11 Family CATs covering circa 5000 students 5 Members and 9-12 CAT Foundation Directors Local Academy Council of School Governors Central Team - CEO, CFO, Co Sec, Standards Officer, HR, Clerk and Admin Part time central staff, shared with Schools/CATs to ensure financial viability No new Heads of School Headteachers to remain in charge of their schools Diocese to support procurement of best providers no direct service delivery Conversion process established Project Board established to oversee process

Diocese of Westminster 4) Project Board The Diocese Trustees have established a Project Board to oversee the CAT programme. The Board is comprised of; Paul Stubbings Kate Griffin (Education Commission) John Asgain (Education Commission) Adrian Leggett (Academy Implementation Officer) Father Michael Dunne (Chair) Sir Michael Wilshaw (St Mary s University) Dr Mary Milhovilovic (St Mary s University) Joe Farrell (DfE) Vicki Hair (Browne Jacobson) Paolo Camoletto Peter Sweeney

Diocese of Westminster 5) Structure Archbishop, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, A Diocesan Trustee, Director of Education, Financial Secretary 5 Members CAT Board 9-12 Trustees Skills based. All practising Catholic Foundation Directors Formed from existing Governing Bodies, responsible for day to day running of schools Local Academy Council

Diocese of Westminster 6) Implementation Due diligence standards and finance Build relationships with other interested Schools in LA area and Family DfE Expression Interests, Application and information requirements Academy Order Pre-app Project Management Consultation CAT Governance Land and Legal TUPE Finance Conversion Establishment of Members, CAT Board and Local Academy Councils Phased expansion of Hubs into Family CATs and viable growth of CAT central team Collaborative working supporting school improvement and efficiency savings Scheme of Delegation - Effective Governance, Accountability and Financial management Operation

Diocese of Westminster 7)Estimated Conversion Costs Conversion requirement Costs Legal Fees 5,500 CAT Set up Contribution 2620 MIS Licence 2500 Risk Software 250 CAT FMIS 4650 LGPS Re-evaluation 3000 Provision LA conversion charge 4000 Health and Safety audit 1395 Training 600 Website 1255 Total 25,770

Diocese of Westminster 8) Progress to date 2017 Diocese Strategy documents - shifted the debate from what and if to how and when SBM training Attended many Governing Body/Headteacher meetings to clarify questions Browne Jacobson, CES, CMP toolkit, audit, SBM and project management support in place to underpin conversion Blessed Holy Family CAT formed in May 2019 by 4 Schools in Harrow ASCAT expanded to include 4 Schools in Rickmansworth and Watford All Saints CAT expanded to include 5 Schools in Harrow/Brent Academy orders issued for 8 Lea Valley Schools in Hertfordshire CVMS approval to become a Multi-Academy Trust (CAT) and St Josephs (RBKC) to join the Trust

Diocese of Westminster 9) Plans for 2021 Support Schools through the conversion process to form the 2nd tranch of CATs. Work with Schools across the Diocese interested in the CAT programme and support completion of the due diligence forms for review by the Project Board. Submit further applications to the RSC HTB to form next tranches of CATs.

Diocese of Westminster Next steps and timescales Opportunity to pass a Governing Body resolution to convert this term Be Academy ready due diligence, finance recovery plan plan ahead. Hold termly meetings in your Hub to further build trust, co-operation and understanding invite me! Complete expression of interest on DfE website next week Ask Governors to consider skills sets for Foundation Directors and complete applications from next Governors meeting