1. The Archdiocese of Birmingham Multi-Academy Companies (MACs)

2. Content The context The Model What we are learning
What Ofsted are saying
Some challenges for the future
Content

3. Number of Academies in England
(including free Schools, Studio Schools and University Technical Colleges - UTCs)
May 2013 – 51% of Secondary, 7% of Primary
May 2014 – 55% of Secondary, 12% of Primary
May 2015 – 63% of Secondary, 16% of Primary
August 2016 – 66% of Secondary, 20% of Primary
Number of Academies in England

4. Almost half of the Schools in the Diocese
The Context – Multi-Academy Companies (MACs)
From 37 Academies in 6 MACs – October 2013
From 57 Academies in 11 MACs - October 2014
To 85 Academies in 16 MACs – September 2015
To 93 Academies in 17 MACs – September 2016
Almost half of the Schools in the Diocese

5. The Context 238 Schools (202 Primary Schools and 36 Secondary Schools)
80,000 children
13 Local Authorities
MACs
50% of Secondary Schools and 38% of Primary Schools
The Context
DATE
ACADEMIES
MACs
October 2014 57 11
April 2015 77 15
September 2016 93 17

6. The Model – Key Characteristics
A Family of Catholic Academies.
A MAC consists of individual Academies run by a Board of Directors (with Local Academy Committees).
The Catholic character and ethos of each School is protected by a binding legal framework of conversion documents.
The Model – Key Characteristics

7. Birmingham Archdiocese Academy Model
Single Member
BANAT
Articles of Association
MAC
Secretary of State
Master Funding Agreement
Trustees (Landowner)
Leases
Supplemental Funding Agreements
Schemes of Delegation
Academy Committee
Academy Committee
Academy Committee
Academy Committee

8. Core Committees of Directors
Strategic
Board of Directors
Directors
Board of
Committee
Academy
Academy A
Academy B
Academy C
Academy D
Academy E
Academy F
Academy G
Academy H +
MAC Business Manager
managing the Services Team
Foundation Directors (in the majority by 2) - 8 minimum - appointed by Bishop
Principals - 2 maximum or 1 Executive Principal
Staff Directors - 2 maximum - elected
Parent Directors - 2 elected or appointed
Basic Total = 14
Strategic
Core Committees of Directors
Dealing with: mission, strategy,
standards, provision, resources
and services
Board of Directors delegates some local responsibilities to Academy Committees

9. Delegated some local responsibilities
Academy Committee
Directors
Board of
Committee
Academy
Academy A
Academy B
Academy C
Academy D
Academy E
Academy F
Academy G
Academy H
Academy Foundation Representatives (in the majority by 2) - 7 minimum – appointed by Bishop
Academy Parent Representative - 2 maximum - elected or appointed
Academy Staff Representative elected
Principal of the Academy - 1
Basic Total = 12
Local matters
Catholic life
Day to day e.g. H & S
Staffing appointments below P and VP
Unique identity
Local community
Traditions
Delegated some local responsibilities

10. Benefits
Local Catholic Schools working formally together for the common good.
Boards of Directors forming a strategic vision for the future development of Catholic Education locally.
High quality leadership formation developments, including mentoring, coaching, acting leadership roles, internships and secondments.
‘Faith Benefits’ (Liturgical celebrations, INSET days)

11. Benefits
Provides a “structural solution” for any potential under-performing school to be supported within a MAC. Alternative to “sponsorship”. The MAC can be strengthened by Good and Outstanding schools.
Real opportunities for Primary and Secondary staff to work better together. Including teachers working within and appreciating the setting and context of other Schools – impacting on curriculum offer and teaching and learning.
Securing best value in the use of finance and resources.

12. Extracts from MAC Mission and Aims
Dominic Barberi MAC-’’By putting Christ and the teaching of the Catholic Church at the centre of the educational enterprise the Company & Academies' roots: pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development; the quality of teaching and learning; and the formation of culture and of our society, in Him.’’
St John Bosco MAC-’’Promote effective collaboration to further enhance the quality of middle level leadership and management, and subject leadership across the MAC.’’
Missions and Aims
The Newman Catholic Collegiate ‘’Our shared vision of life respects the uniqueness of all students, supporting their families, engaging them in their communities, and offering them unconditional love, so that they may achieve their potential and live life in its fullness.’’
All Saints Catholic Collegiate ‘’To provide a seamless Catholic education for all children and young people aged 0-19 years.’’

13. Extracts from MAC Mission and Aims
Christ the King Catholic Collegiate: ‘’The directors, academies and headteachers want to protect and preserve Catholic 3 to 18 education in this area for future generations.’’
Christ the King Catholic Collegiate: ‘’We aim to provide strong sustainable Catholic provision from 3 to 18 years of age for this part of Staffordshire.’’
Missions and Aims
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic MAC: ‘’Our schools retain their individual identities but share resources, staffing, facilities and services for the mutual benefit of all our students’’

14. What we are learning Supported conversion works best.
Need for support early on - the main challenges are in the first 12 months.
Importance of the ‘right’ appointment at Board level.
All about ‘relationships’!!
Building a supportive network of MACs (‘Mentoring a MAC’).
One size does not fit all!!
The Model is not a fixed Model!!!!

15. Strategic Analysis – Some Key Strengths (1)
The Business Structure of the MAC including the development of its own Accountancy, Human Resources and Information Technology departments
(Bishop Cleary)
Vision and Direction: clearly defined Vision with 6 key focus areas (Lumen Christi)
Areas of Strength
Strong focus on individual School Standards and Catholic Life: Deployment of School Improvement Partners provides external perspective
(St. Nicholas Owen)
Professional development is a strategic focus of the MAC: reflected in Appraisals, CPD Portfolios and 360 approach to professional development
(Painsley)

16. Strategic Analysis – Some Key Strengths (2)
Collaboration is improving the quality of Catholic Life/quality of teaching and learning across the MAC
(St. John Paul II)
Effective Board who have developed over time and are now gaining experience across a broad range of issues and challenges
(Pope John XX111)
Areas of Strength
Good culture of openness: Good evidence of open and challenging discussions and good communication channels between Directors and all main boards
(Our Lady of Lourdes)

17. Strategic Analysis – Some Key Strengths (3)
Excellent development of Assessment Systems across the MAC
(St. John Bosco)
Academy Committees share a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities and delegated authority relating to School Finances
(All Saints)
Areas of Strength
Good culture of openness: Good evidence of open and challenging discussions and good communication channels between Directors and all main boards
(Our Lady of Lourdes)

18. Key areas for further development (1)
Induction session for new Directors and Academy Representatives (Managing Change!).
Academies need a ‘route map/checklist’ in the period prior to conversion.
Finance: Support and advice with financial challenge and decreasing budgets. There is a need for CPD in areas of Finance and Business for Directors and Academy Committees.
Promote and establish a clear direction on Raising Standards across the MAC: Collective responsibility and accountability.

19. Key areas for further development (2)
Middle Leaders: Promote effective collaboration to enhance the quality of Middle Leadership at all Schools.
Roles and responsibilities of Directors and Academy Committees: need to clarity on the various accountabilities.
Increased clarity on such areas as Performance Management of Principals and Disciplinary and Complaints procedures.
Develop website to include more information on School to School support within the MAC.

20. Conversion process to a MAC in Archdiocese
Registration
Conversion process to a MAC in Archdiocese
School governing body pass a resolution in favour of academy conversion and submits copy of governing body minutes and Approval Appendix A to diocese
Following diocesan letter of approval the school completes online DfE registration form and also submits application to convert form to DfE
A named contact in Department for Education (DfE) contacts the school and supports them through the conversion process
School governing body starts the consultation required by legislation with interested parties - staff, parents, pupils
CoG distributes Board/Committee application forms
Identify solicitors
Notify local authority of intention to convert to multi academy
Secretary of State approves school proposal and issues Academy Order
Application to convert/ pre-approval checks
Overall process can typically take between 3 and 4 months
School submits grant claim to DfE and receives £25,000 grant to cover costs associated with the conversion process
School finalises academy conversion documents based on Diocesan model documents.
The MAC is registered with Companies House.
School agrees leasing arrangements for the school land and buildings with diocese.
Governing body complete the TUPE process.
School completes required consultation with interested parties.
7. School submits the Funding Agreement. .
Achieve Funding Agreement
1. EFA provide school with indicative funding letter. 2. DfE sign and seal Academy funding agreement.
3. School puts new financial systems and contracts in place. 4. School completes academy registrations e.g. with exam bodies.
5.. School opens officially as an Academy
Opening

21. What Ofsted are saying 28 Academies Inspected since conversion.
Grade 1
Grade 2
Grade 3
Grade 4
Previous Grade
1 (4%)
14 (50%)
13 (46%)
Academy Grade
3 (11%)
20 (71%)
5 (18%)
11 Academies have improved their grade.
15 Academies have stayed the same.
1 Academy has moved from Grade 1 to Grade 2
1 Academy has moved from Grade 2 to Grade 3

22. What Ofsted are saying
28 Academies Inspected since conversion.
Grade profile Good or Outstanding moves from 54% (15 Schools) to 82% (23 Schools)

23. What Ofsted are saying
Our Lady’s, Stoke on Trent – ‘’Well-focused sharing of resources within the multi-academy company (MAC) enabled the school to tackle leadership and teaching issues successfully.’’
St. Joseph’s, Staffordshire – “The Academy has benefited immensely from the support provided by The Newman Catholic Collegiate. The Academy has improved well under the strong leadership of senior staff and Academy Board members and it continues to improve “
Our Lady’s, Stoke on Trent – ‘’There is a well-managed programme of professional training, including internal support for newly appointed teachers from within the MAC. This has strengthened overall performance. Assessment skills are greatly improved and expectations are high.’’

24. What Ofsted are saying
Bishop Milner, Dudley - Strong links have been established with the Principals of the other academies within the Multi-Academy Company. These have enabled leaders to improve the arrangements to support students when they join the academy at the end of Key Stage 2, to develop provision for modern foreign languages in the curriculum and to share professional development opportunities for teachers and leaders’

25. What Ofsted are saying
Bishop Walsh, Sutton Coldfield, Academy Directors and Representatives that govern the School challenge and support leaders well. They are fully involved in making purposeful strategic plans. Academy Representatives bring a wide range of professional experience which informs and enhances the School’s development.

26. Some Future Challenges
Support for new and emerging MACs (Mentoring a MAC).
Likely future demand and the support that this will need.
Standards and Accountability.
Managing the relationship with the DFE/Regional Schools Commissioner.
Responding to the changing educational landscape