For Catholic schools, and for religious order foundations in particular, the conversion to academy status can bring a sense of cohesion. But at what cost?

THE dawn of a new decade marks 10 years since state-funded academies were first introduced to the educational landscape in England, but opinions over Catholic schools converting to academy status have remained deeply polarised. Some dioceses (Plymouth and Nottingham) have enthusiastically embraced the policy for all their schools, while others, such as Westminster, have opted for a more partial take-up, and Liverpool has remained deeply opposed.

In the wake of Boris Johnson’s election victory, it is clear that the academy policy is here to stay. For all of us who have a stake in Catholic education – children, parents, teachers, parishes, the Catholic Education Service (CES) and our bishops – the time has come to reconsider our collective stance towards the academisation of our schools.

Why does academisation cause this polarisation? Some fresh perspectives on this question were presented at the start of December, at the first national conference devoted to academisation and Catholic education. Eighty delegates gathered in Birmingham’s Woodbrooke Conference Centre to hear keynote addresses from serving head teachers and academics.