Archbishop criticised as Catholic schools told they must academise
Catholic schools in the Birmingham Archdiocese have been told they must put in place plans to become academies by September 2022.
In a letter to governors and senior school leaders, Bernard Longley, Archbishop of Birmingham, said the move was an “essential” reform to protect Catholic education.
The Archdiocese oversees around 240 Catholic schools not only in Birmingham and the West Midlands but also in Stoke on Trent and as far south as Reading.
According to its website, the archdiocese has already succeeded in persuading 143 of its schools to join ‘multi-academy companies’.
However, plans to force the remaining schools to begin the academisation process by the start of the new school year, has been met by fierce criticism.
Rob Kelsall, National Secretary of the NAHT, said: “The Diocese are effectively ruling by diktat and it has to stop. Such behaviour has no place in a modern education service.”
In his letter to schools, the Archbishop of Birmingham acknowledged the move was not universally popular, saying: “I know that the work of academisation has been challenging, demanding on time and resources, but it is bringing many benefits to schools.” Contact our education team for advice.
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