Ribble Valley MP backs schools on strike over academisation plans

Strikes began on Monday, September 21, and continued into Tuesday, September 22, affecting Corpus Christi Catholic High School in Fulwood and Cardinal Allen Catholic High School in Fleetwood.

The dispute follows a policy for Catholic schools across the Diocese of Lancaster to convert to academy status and join multi-academy trusts (MATs).

Maya Ellis, MP for Ribble Valley, has written to the diocese in support of the schools. She also asked for clarification on claims of "unacceptable treatment" of the school's governing body, including [alleged] attempts by the diocese to remove governors owing to their objections to academisation.

She said: "I’ve written to the Diocese of Lancaster to express my concerns about its plans for the academisation of Corpus Christi Catholic High School in Fulwood.

"This goes against the wishes of the staff and leadership of the school, and I support all those involved in industrial action this week.

"I was also concerned to hear about the removal of governors by the diocese because they objected to academisation.

"I’ve urged the diocese to respond to the governing body’s questions about the plans in the spirit of accountability and transparency."

In a letter addressed to the Diocese of Lancaster education service, Ms Ellis raised concerns on behalf of staff, students, and parents at Corpus Christi.

The letter also expressed alarm over reports that there were attempts to remove governors, including the Chair, due to their opposition to academisation.

Ms Ellis said: "I am proud that Corpus Christi ranks among the best performing schools in Preston, and earlier this year was shortlisted for TES Secondary School of the Year and TES Headteacher of the Year.

"It is in this context that I am most concerned that a thriving local school faces academisation against the wishes of its wider community.

"I request that, in light of these serious concerns, the Diocese acts urgently to answer the questions raised by the Governing Body in a prompt and detailed manner, in the spirit of accountability and transparency."

Staff took to the picket lines on Monday and Tuesday.

Staff say they are not opposed to Catholic education but are concerned about losing local control and the potential educational and financial impact of the conversion.

At the time, a spokesman for the Diocese of Lancaster said: “It is a regret to the Diocese that the members of two teaching unions have decided to take strike action.

“Our sympathy lies first and foremost with pupils who will lose two days of education and for parents who will be inconvenienced by this action, which we consider to be unnecessary.

“It is our belief that academy trusts will guarantee high-quality Catholic education throughout the Diocese. We know this to be true from experience because the majority of our schools in this area have already joined their Trust family and are flourishing.

“We are conscious that some unions are opposed to the creation of academies in principle, whether forced or voluntary. Nevertheless, the conversion of schools into academies is both the policy of the Government and that of the Diocese of Lancaster.

“We sincerely hope that staff will reconsider their position.”

The Diocese of Lancaster has been approached for further comment.