St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School joins catholic multi-academy trust

St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School, a secondary school in St Helens, Merseyside, has joined St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, Educate has reported. It is the fifth secondary school in the trust.

In 1957, St Cuthbert’s became the first Catholic secondary modern school to be built following the Second World War.

St Cuthbert’s headteacher Stuart Holland said: “This is an exciting new chapter for our school community and reflects our shared commitment to providing the very best Catholic education for every child.

“St Cuthbert’s is a wonderful school, with a strong sense of faith, community and belonging. We are proud of what we have already achieved, and joining St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust will enable us to build on these achievements, further strengthening the excellent work already taking place and create even greater opportunities for our students, staff and families.

“I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen. We are incredibly grateful for the commitment and collaboration which has brought us to this important milestone, and we look forward to this next chapter with confidence and optimism.”

The school’s chair of governors, Father Philip Swanson, added: “In September 1957 when Archbishop Hennan opened St Cuthbert’s, one of the intentions was that Catholic secondary age children from the Sutton Manor, Clockface, Parr, Derbyshire Hill and Sutton areas would receive a Catholic education to prepare them for the world of work.

“For over nearly 70 years, St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School has been successfully doing this in an ever-changing world. From today, we join St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust as part of their family of schools and we hope the vision of Archbishop Hennan will continue under the Catholic leadership of Archbishop Sherrington, ensuring all our students and staff are empowered to live life in all its fullness.”

St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust’s chief executive Andrew Truby said: “St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School… is a wonderful place of learning with Christ at the centre.”

Ann Connor, director and chair of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, commented: “This is a significant moment for St Cuthbert’s as it becomes the first voluntary converter from St Helens to join the trust. This partnership confirms our shared commitment to delivering outstanding Catholic education, grounded in faith, excellence and community.”

St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust’s director of secondary education Michael Gun-Why, added: “As a trust, we are proud to welcome St Cuthbert’s and look forward to helping every child thrive academically, spiritually and personally. I have already begun working alongside staff at St Cuthbert’s and I am excited for the journey we are about to embark on together.”

As part of the Archdiocese of Liverpool’s academisation strategy, St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust is set to grow to 66 primary and secondary schools across Liverpool and St Helens.

The director of education at the Archdiocese of Liverpool Joan McCarthy said: “On behalf of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, I am delighted to congratulate St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School on joining St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust. Today’s conversion reflects much more than a partnership, it is the coming together of communities united by a shared faith, mission and commitment to providing the very best Catholic education for every child.”