De La Salle School Joins Laetare Catholic Multi-Academy Trust
De La Salle School, St Helens, joined the Laetare Catholic Multi-Academy Trust (Laetare CMAT) on December 2nd,marking an exciting new chapter for the school community and the Lasallian Network in England. This milestone is the culmination of years of collaborative work with other Religious Order schools to respond to the evolving educational landscape in the country. This step allows the Lasallian Family to contribute to strengthening the future of charism-based education nationally while safeguarding and revitalising our distinctive Lasallian educational offer.
Br Sean Sellors – De La Salle Community Leader, Elliot – Head Boy, Beth – Head Girl, Andy Rannard – Headteacher, Samantha Murray – Chair of Governors, Andy Bridson – Laetare CMAT CEO
This significant move reflects the school’s commitment to providing outstanding, faith-based education and offering new opportunities for both students and staff. As a Lasallian Family, we are proud that De La Salle School is the first of many schools expected to join the Laetare family of Religious Order schools in the coming months.
The Trust shares De La Salle’s core values of faith, academic excellence, and community. With a focus on delivering high-quality education rooted in Catholic teachings, the Trust provides a strong foundation for collaboration and growth. By joining Laetare CMAT, De La Salle School will enhance its educational offerings, benefit from shared resources, and contribute to a wider network of schools working together to serve young people.
“We are thrilled to be joining the Laetare Catholic Multi-Academy Trust,” said Mr Andy Rannard, Headteacher of De La Salle School. “This partnership will enable us to further enrich the experience of our students and strengthen our commitment to providing an education that nurtures their academic, spiritual, and personal development. Together with the Trust, we are excited to embrace new opportunities and continue our journey of growth.”
As part of the Laetare Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, De La Salle School will have access to a wide range of collaborative opportunities, professional development for staff, and shared resources designed to benefit all members of the school community. The Trust’s ethos of faith, inclusion, and excellence aligns naturally with De La Salle’s long-standing dedication to providing a holistic education based on the values of love, respect, and compassion.
The move to join Laetare CMAT supports De La Salle’s strategic vision for the future and ensures the school will continue to provide a nurturing environment where all students can thrive. This partnership promises to bring exciting new initiatives, ensuring the school remains at the forefront of education in the area.
For families, this transition means that De La Salle School will continue to uphold its strong Lasallian identity while benefiting from the enhanced support and resources available through the Trust. The focus on faith, personal development, and community will remain central to the school’s mission, ensuring students receive the best possible care and education.
“We look forward to this new chapter and the many possibilities it will bring,” said Mrs Samantha Murray, Chair of Governors. “We are proud of our strong De La Salle community and excited to work with the Trust to provide the very best education for our students.”
The De La Salle Brothers Trust in GB, together with the rest of the Leadership Teams across the District, would like to thank all partners in the ROE (Association of Religious Orders in Education) who have supported this project from its inception to its realisation. In particular, we express our gratitude to Andrew Rannard, Paul Norris, and Stephen Horseman for their contributions to this achievement at various points in the journey.
A special thanks goes to Andrew Bridson, who, first as Education Officer for the De La Salle Brothers Trust GB, then as Chair of the Steering Committee responsible for creating this first national CMAT, and now as Interim CEO of Laetare CMAT, has played a seminal role in building confidence in the project and ensuring its successful materialisation.
What is a CMAT?
Academies in England are publicly funded schools operating independently of local authority control, with greater autonomy over curriculum, staffing, and finances. Governed by trusts or multi-academy trusts (MATs), academies are funded directly by the Department for Education. Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts (CMATs) are a specific form of MATs for Catholic schools, ensuring collaboration and advancement of God’s mission through education.
Where to learn more about Laetare CMAT?
Visit Laetare CMAT's website.
