This website is for anyone wanting to find out more about Catholic Academies.
Academies are described by the Department for Education (DfE) as ‘publicly funded independent schools, free from local authority and national government control’. Since the passing of the Academies Act 2010, many schools have converted to academies.
The Catholic Education Service (CES) has worked closely with the DfE to ensure that Catholic schools are able to convert to academy status, if their Bishop wishes them to do so. Our Chairman, Bishop Malcolm McMahon OP, issued a statement in January 2011 explaining that the necessary legal safeguards are now in place for Catholic schools which become academies.
“We should make conversion to Academies a ready possibility for Catholic schools, subject to the wishes of their Bishop, Trustees and Governing Body.”
The Right Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP, Chairman of the CES
Catholic schools which convert to academy status are known as Catholic Voluntary Academies.
On this website you will find answers to frequently asked questions about Catholic Voluntary Academies, model documentation for Catholic schools and links to further information about conversion, as well as details about those Catholic schools which have already become academies.
Ultimately, the decision to convert a voluntary aided Catholic school to an academy lies with the local Bishop, in conjunction with the school trustees and governing body. Anyone who is interested in exploring options relating to conversion should, in the first instance contact their Diocesan Schools’ Commission. You can do this by clicking here.
Please note that the Academies Act 2010 applies to England only and so guidance and documents on this website do not apply to Catholic schools in Wales.
