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Online Public Lecture - Register Now
Online Public Lecture - Register Now
Join us online on Tuesday 10th June 2025 at 6.00pm (London time) for the St John Henry Newman Research Centre for Catholic Theology's Online Academic Forum, the latest in a series of occasional, public seminars by Maryvale academics and guest speakers. This time, Professor Stephen Parker, Dr Mary Mihovilović and Dr Jakub Kowelewski (St Mary's University, Twickenham), will be discussing Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts: CEOs' Perspectives and Experiences.
Following the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding between the Catholic Church and the Department for Education over 50% of state funded Catholic schools in England have joined Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts (CMATs). By 2030, in line with government’s direction of travel and the Bishops’ response to it, it is highly likely that most of the Catholic schools in England will have joined CMATs.
Our research project, co-funded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross and St Mary’s University, aims to respond to this significant organisational change by exploring the distinctive mission and identity of CMATs and their leaders, shedding much-needed light on the future of Catholic education in England.
This paper will present the project’s initial findings, based on the interviews with a representative sample of CMAT CEOs in the south-east of England. Drawing on the perspectives and experiences of CMAT CEOs, we will discuss how CEOs understand both their role and the mission of CMATs during a period of organisational change in Catholic education nationally.
We will conclude this paper by noting the professional development, spiritual formation, and accompaniment needs identified in our data by the CEOs, suggesting ways in which the Church can support CMAT CEOs in living out their vocation as lay Catholic school leaders.
Professor Stephen Parker. Director of CERRL and Professor of Education and Religious History at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
A historian specialising in education and religion during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Prof. Parker investigates the intricate relationships between churches and the evolving religious landscape of Britain and Ireland. His research focuses on the influence of religion on education across various contexts, including schools and religious broadcasting.
Dr Mary Mihovilović. Associate Professor and Subject Lead for the postgraduate taught programmes in Education at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
Mary is an experienced teacher of religious education and classical studies having taught in diverse inner city and suburban secondary schools and held senior leadership positions for 20 years. She is currently a foundation director of a diocesan Multi-Academy Trust. Her research focusses on the distinctiveness of CMATs through the perspectives of school leaders, leaders of Catholic life and foundation directors as well as the experiences and contributions of Catholic school teachers who are not Catholic.
Dr Jakub Kowalewski. CMAT Research Fellow at St Mary’s University, Twickenham.
Jakub holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Essex, and an MA and a BA also in Philosophy from the University of Sussex. He is a Laudato Si' Action Platform Sector Partner, the co-organiser of the London Conference in Critical Thought, and a member of the Executive Committee of Society for European Philosophy.
Attendance of the Zoom seminar is free and open to all, including non-students, by registering below.
If you have any questions about the forum or the Research Centre, please contact the MA Director, Dr Tamra Fromm:
