TRUST CONVERSION - CONSULTATION
This consultation starts on Monday 20th March 2023 and concludes on Friday 28th April 2023.
As of Monday 20th March 2023, Holy Family Catholic Primary is beginning a consultation period about our school joining the Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi-academy Trust (BEBCMAT) Trust. This consultation is open to parents, staff, parishioners and Governors at our school until the 23rd April.
Why are we moving into the Trust?
The Bishop of Lancaster – Right Reverend Paul Swarbrick – has a vision for all catholic schools in the diocese:
… "I invite our parishes and schools to build Catholic Multi Academy Trusts across the Diocese.
Through these local families of schools, I seek to protect, secure and develop the Church' s mission in education. This critical step forward for Catholic education in our Diocese aims to ensure that every school sits within a collaborative network where each institution gives and receives support. The reality is that Catholic schools must work together; viewing other Catholic schools as equal partners. As Bishop, I am aware that we need to place secure structures around vulnerable schools to help them improve and flourish. If we do not act proactively, we become reactive to circumstances rather than guiding and controlling change. The move to establish a network of Multi Academy Trusts in the Diocese seeks to ensure that Catholic schools work closely together to assist with school improvement, leadership recruitment, formation, governance, and co operation to strengthen our Catholic mission. This development enables a new spirit of collaboration where the success of Catholic schools in our Diocese can remain productive and protected."
Please read the Bishop’s academisation leaflet here:
Why go now?
The Bishop’s vision will result in all 22 schools in the Fylde area joining the BEBCMAT trust by 2025. As a school, our Governing Body has decided that we would prefer to join the Trust during the growth stage of the Trust and be involved in designing the way the Trust will develop. It is an exciting time. Being a member of BEBCMAT means all of the schools in the Trust working together to provide a first-class Catholic education, valuing staff and pupils, investing in their future, working in true collaboration and partnership with others.
Currently, the BEBCMAT comprises of the following schools: St. Mary’s Catholic Academy, Christ The King, St. Cuthbert’s, St Kentigern’s, St. Teresa’s, St. Mary’s Great Eccleston, Sacred Heart and St. Wulstan’s and St. Edmund’s. We will be joining alongside St. William’s Catholic Primary School in Pilling.
Obviously, leaving the local authority might seem a risky thing to do but the process is a thorough and sequenced affair, ensuring all stakeholders are confident in their position.
Please read the FAQs on the document linked here:
There will be a meeting at school On Wednesday 22nd March at 3:15pm in our infant hall, led by Mrs Helen O’Neill the CEO of BEBCMAT, which will offer you a chance to ask questions about our conversion to the Trust.
Should you have any further questions regarding our joining the academy, please send these via email to:
academyconsultation@holy-family.blackpool.sch.uk
or you can choose to download this form and return it to the school office:
Holy Family Catholic Primary School
A warm welcome to Holy Family Catholic Primary School, Blackpool. We are a Catholic Voluntary Aided primary school in the Diocese of Lancaster but welcome children of all faiths and backgrounds.
At Holy Family we aspire to help every child reach their full potential as a child of God. This takes place in our school where there is an abundance of love and warmth. We follow the teachings of Jesus and as we grow in spirit. We are keen to share with you our music and PE achievements but every day at Holy family is full of learning, fun and friendship.
We are very proud of our lively, vibrant school and all members of our school family. We welcome visitors and look forward to showing you around. In the first instance, please contact our school on 01253 354496 or admin@holy-family.blackpool.sch.uk