Statement from the Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service

15th May 2026

The Diocese of Nottingham and the Nottingham Roman Catholic Diocesan Education Service (NRCDES) are grateful to everybody who has shared their concern recently in relation to the ongoing financial challenges at the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi-Academy Trust.  We would like to re-assure you that we are aware of the challenges, and that members of the NRCDES engage actively and regularly with the Board of Directors, the CEO and the Department for Education.

We know that these financial challenges mean that some very difficult decisions need to be made in relation tohighly regarded members of staff.  Unfortunately, the current staffing structures in some schools are financially unsustainable because pupil numbers have been falling, and this means that revenue income is also falling.  This is not a situation that is unique to the St Ralph Sherwin CMAT.

Over the past few months, a number of people have, understandably, contacted both the Bishop and the NRCDES about these issues.  We would like to state very clearly that we have heard your concerns and that we are deeply sorry for the great pain and upset that this situation is causing. The role of our schools in the mission of the Church is of paramount importance, and our school communities and their staff are valued.  However, the St Ralph Sherwin CMAT cannot continue to spend the money it is currently spending on staffing. In practical terms, if this were to happen, it could result in school closures. The Department for Education has made it clear that if considerable savings are not made, the Secretary of State will consider withdrawing the funding agreement.

We are always willing to listen to concerns and will always discuss these with the Board of Directors and the CEO, but it is also important to be clear about the role of the Diocese and the NRCDES in relation to school finance.

Our Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts were created by the Diocese of Nottingham, but they are each separate legal entities overseen by a Board of Directors. It is the Board of Directors that has responsibility for operational and financial matters.  The Diocese (which also includes the CMAT Members) and the NRCDES are not able to intervene directly into operational matters, which include financial decision-making, and it is not appropriate for the Diocese or the NRCDES to enter into employment negotiations as neither is the employer of the staff.

The Catholic Church provides our school buildings, but Catholic schools are funded in the same way as other state-maintained schools.  Their revenue funding comes from the state, and they must operate within the confines of the funding that is provided to them. Although the Diocese owns assets in the form of Church buildings, these assets and any income generated by our parishes cannot be used to provide revenue funding to assist state education.

We would like to assure you that we are in continual contact with the CEO and the Chair of the Board regarding operational decisions and we are confident that they are doing all that they can to deal with the current difficulties.