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Catholic education in schools in England is amidst the greatest degree of organisational change since those wrought by the 1944 Education Act.

Following the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding between the Catholic Church and the Department for Education over 50% of state funded Catholic schools have joined Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts (CMATs). By 2030, in line with government’s direction of travel and the bishops’ response to it, it is highly likely that most of the Catholic schools in England will be organised as part of CMATs.

This significant organisational change requires research into the distinctiveness of CMATs, which could inform the Church’s mission and strategy in relation to the future of Catholic education.

Our CMAT Research aims to support the Church at this key point in Catholic educational history by offering new knowledge on the rapidly changing educational landscape. In particular, the project aims to investigate:

  • the effectiveness and distinctiveness of the newly founded and organised CMATs.
  • the experience and perspectives of CMAT school leaders and CEOs.
  • the current and future positioning of CMATs within the wider mission of the Church.

The insights generated by the research will help support CMAT leaders in their vocational and spiritual formation, and they will assist the Church on the next phase in the history of Catholic schools in England, benefiting both staff and students.

The project has received expressions of support from Bishop Alan Williams, the Catholic Education Service (CES), Formatio, and the Catholic Academy Trust Training Collaborative (CATtColl).

‘This research is timely, given the challenges and change facing Catholic education. Designed to meet an expressed need from CEOs for knowledge which helps them navigate their onward journey, this research promises to generate new insights and wisdom from amongst CEOs themselves as to what inspires and sustains them in their task as leaders’

Prof Stephen Parker, Director of the Centre for Catholic Education, Research and Religious Literacy

The Distinctiveness of Catholic Multi Academy Trusts: School Leaders’ Perspectives

This research is funded by St Mary’s University QR funding. It contributes to our strategy of researching the distinctiveness of CMATs from different perspectives, exploring CMAT school leaders’ perceptions and experiences of the distinctiveness of CMATs. Through focus groups and interviews with participants who are employed in CMATs in five dioceses in the southeast and southwest of England and hold a range of diverse senior and middle leadership roles in primary and secondary schools, we hope to:

  • understand their current experiences as leaders in schools belonging to CMATs.
  • understand their perspectives on the distinctiveness of CMATs.
  • identify effective practice in developing Catholic ethos and spiritual life in schools within CMATs.

The goal of this project is share to good practice and identify the development needs of the middle and senior leaders in schools within CMATs.  In so doing it will support CMATs in carrying out the Church’s mission in England by informing national and local policy.

The Distinctiveness of Catholic Multi Academy Trusts: CEO’s perspectives and experiences

"Sisters of the Holy Cross"This workstream, co-funded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross and St Mary’s University, aims to shed a light on the perspectives and experiences of CMAT CEOs. Specifically, through interviews with a representative sample of CMAT CEOs in the south-east of England, we hope to understand:

  • how CMAT CEOs and leaders currently operationalise the distinctiveness of CMATs.
  • how they understand the nature of the educational mission of the Church in a period of change.
  • how they articulate, strategize, and enact their vision.
  • how they find their vision supported – academically, professionally, spiritually and structurally – by the Church.

The goal of this workstream is to support the CEOs of CMATs in living out their vocation as lay Catholic leaders by offering them a greater understanding of both their role and their organisation. Moreover, the research will aid the Church by revealing what professional development, spiritual formation, and accompaniment are needed by the new cadre of Catholic school leaders. 

The Distinctiveness of Catholic Multi Academy Trusts: The Perspectives of Leaders of Catholic Ethos or the Spiritual Life of CMATs

This research which is funded by a grant from the UK Research England Policy Support Fund, aims to contribute to the generation of an evidence base to critically inform the development of CMATs. Through interviews with a sample of leaders of Catholic Ethos or Spiritual Life in CMATs across England, we hope to:

  • understand their current experiences
  • understand their perspectives on the distinctiveness of CMATs
  • identify effective practice in developing Catholic ethos and spiritual life across CMATs.

The goal of this project is share to good practice and identify the development needs of the leaders of Catholic ethos in CMATs. In so doing it will support CMATs in carrying out the Church’s mission in England by informing national and local policy.

Project team""

To contact the project team, please email cmatresearch@stmarys.ac.uk.

Prof Stephen Parker, Director of the Centre for Catholic Education, Research and Religious Literacy

Dr Mary Mihovilovic, Associate Professor and Subject Lead for the Postgraduate Taught Programmes in Education

Dr Jakub Kowalewski, CMAT Research Fellow