Following an inspection of the seven highest performing multi academy trusts (MATs) in the country, among them the Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust (DOWAT), Sir Michael Wilshaw praised their work of ‘raising standards and providing a high-quality education for all their pupils’.
He paid tribute to their commitment to ‘instilling a culture and ethos of high expectations among staff and pupils across their network of schools’, for their ambition for ‘transforming educational achievements for their poorest pupils, including the most able children’, and for their optimism ‘for their pupils’ futures and refus[ing] point-blank to accept excuses for children failing to reach their potential’.
Sir Michael made special mention of DOWAT’s 11 schools in their success in narrowing the GCSE attainment gap between their disadvantaged pupils and others. In 2015, the gap for those attaining 5 or more A* to C grades, including English and mathematics, was 18 percentage points, comparing favourably with the average of 28 percentage point gap that still exists nationally between disadvantaged pupils and the better off.
He commended all seven MATs for their ‘carefully planned curriculum’ focusing on scholastic excellence and making sure ‘every pupil – and not just those whose parents can afford it – has the chance to benefit from enrichment activities’. He noted their support of pupils moving between academies, as well as ‘ensuring that pupils better suited to a technical or vocational pathway into employment are catered for well’.
He also applauded their commitment to investing in their staff’s professional development to improve both teaching and leadership skills, saying: ‘The opportunities that staff members are given to expand their horizons and pursue a well-defined career path across different schools within the same trust are also good for recruitment and retention.’
Sir Michael also expressed admiration for the commitment of senior leadership of the constituent academies in supporting ‘the trust as a whole, working in tight, usually local networks to share best practice and act as critical friends to neighbouring academies in the same trust’.
Bishop John Wilson, Chair of the Education Commission for the diocese said: ‘We have worked very meticulously with our academies’ leadership teams and governing bodies to construct a MAT structure where resources and talents are effectively shared to provide the best possible outcome for all our pupils, recognising their inherent dignity and nurturing their individual gifts, all within a Catholic ethos. It is gratifying that our efforts have been recognised and commended on the national level.’
