Diocese of Liverpool receives huge support

The Diocese of Liverpool has received a huge level of support from schools on its consultation to form a Multi Academy Trust (MAT).
During his first six months as director of education, Father Richard Peers has led the diocesan church schools through a consultation to form a MAT called the Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust.
Richard is buoyed by the level of support he has received from schools during the consultation process, saying: “What is exciting is that it is clear that this is what schools are looking for – and that gives us the determination to succeed.
“We are on the cusp of a great educational change. The government are overseeing the most revolutionary change in education structures in our lifetime and we are responding in a strategic way as our schools have asked us to do. That involves creating this trust.”
While the academisation process has not been without controversy, the diocesan response is clear says Richard. He said: “I think it is vitally important that we keep our family of church schools together. What most distinguishes church schools is that they are places to talk about Jesus. If we are to continue to make a big difference in young people’s lives we need to continue to keep our family of church schools together.”
The Trust will use a model that has three hubs: Western, Southern and Eastern. The first hub to open will be the Western Hub covering Liverpool, Sefton and West Lancs. The Southern Hub (Warrington, Halton, Knowsley and part of St Helens) and Eastern Hub (Wigan, East Lancs and part of St Helens) will follow.
The Diocese will encourage existing school-led MATs to flourish and aims to have a Trust Education Officer in place by September. It will then begin working with schools, education staff and others to introduce the first 10 to 12 schools to the hub.
The Bishop of Liverpool, The Rt Revd Paul Bayes is sponsoring the Community Partnership Award at this year’s Educate Awards.