NEW MULTI-ACADEMY CHAINS WILL SEE CITY SCHOOLS JOIN FORCES

Chief executive to be recruited to head up organisation

THOUSANDS of pupils at Catholic schools in Stoke-ontrent are to have their education overseen by the same mini academy chain.

It will see two existing multiacademy companies (MACS) – one covering the north of the city and the other the south – merge in September next year.

The new body will be responsible for 14 schools, including St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy, in Tunstall, pictured right, and St Thomas More Catholic Academy, in Longton.

The academy directors say it will mean greater collaboration between schools and a ‘shared vision’.

But it also comes after some of the schools faced significant financial challenges.

Back in 2017/18, St Margaret Ward was £235,731 in the red, although it has since wiped out this deficit.

Now they are advertising for a ‘Catholic senior executive leader’ (CSEL) – equivalent to a chief executive – who will head up the new MAC.

The salary for this role has not been disclosed.

A job advert states: “We want our MAC to be a family in the truest sense of the word – one where every school is able to embrace their own identity and individuality, but there are common bonds that bring us all together.

“For that to happen, our CSEL will be an inspiring leader who will understand the benefits of system leadership, have exceptional strategic capabilities and a powerful Catholic clarity of vision.”

The advert also reveals that the preferred candidate ‘will not necessarily have experience of working directly in schools’.

At the moment, both The Newman Catholic Collegiate and All Saints Catholic Collegiate are led by experienced headteachers with a track record of turning round struggling schools.

It is not known how many people have applied for the job so far but the closing date is November 10.

The Newman Catholic Collegiate currently oversees nine schools, including seven in the city, one in Kidsgrove and one in Biddulph.

All Saints covers five Stoke-ontrent schools.

The new MAC will have responsibility for a wide range of decisions affecting young people’s education, including how funding is spent and monitoring of classroom standards.

Nationally, the Government is keen to see academies run by bigger trusts, rather than those with just a handful of schools.