There have been significant changes in the education
sector over the past few years and the diocesan education
team are now encouraging all our church schools to
actively consider the benefits of becoming an Academy. To
help schools with this process, the Diocese of Worcester
Multi Academy Trust (DoWMAT) has been launched, which
all schools in the Diocese (both church and maintained
schools) are invited to join.
DoWMAT is headed up by its CEO, Karen Surrall, a former
primary school head. She said:
“We wanted to give schools an option to become part of an Academy Trust with clear
Christian values and vision and which puts the child at the centre. Any school is
welcome to join our Trust, but it must be prepared to work in harmony with our values,
be financially viable and able to provide a broad and balanced curriculum.”
“Becoming a standalone Academy or setting up a local Multi-Academy Trust is a huge
amount of work for any school, but particularly for many of the small primaries we have
in the Diocese,” continued Karen. “Joining the DoWMAT eases that burden and also
ensures that the school is able to retain its Christian values. We want to work as a
fellowship of equals, with a closer partnership in management than is currently possible
with the local authority.”
“I believe this is as exciting as when the Church of England first became involved in
education. Setting up the MAT enables us to provide a place where we can nurture our
children and make a real difference.”
Please pray for Karen and her team as they work to establish the DoWMAT
and for those schools who will join.
Kingswinford Deanery – Rural Dean: David Hoskin; Lay Chair: Helen Jones
Diocese of Maseno South (Kenya): Bishop Francis Abiero
Diocese of Maseno West (Kenya): Bishop Joseph Wasonga
Diocese of Chelmsford: Bishop Stephen Cottrell with Bishops John Wraw (Bradwell), Roger
Morris (Colchester) and Peter Hill (Barking)
Diocese of Karlstad (Sweden): Bishop Sören Dalevi
