On 1st February, St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust proudly hosted its 2025 Governors’ Conference, a landmark event that brought together colleagues from across the educational community of the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
The event saw a convergence of local governors, Trust staff, representatives from the Archdiocese of Liverpool, and delegates from schools in the wider community. The central theme of the conference, Wellbeing in Schools, underscored the Trust’s commitment to fostering a supportive and nurturing educational environment.
St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy provided a fitting backdrop for the conference, showcasing its storied history through an impressive collection of plaques, trophies, and memorials. Attendees also had the opportunity to witness the school’s progress since joining the Trust in April 2024, highlighted by the newly refurbished chapel. The conference commenced with a moving liturgy led by Michelle Forrest, Trust Director of Catholic Education, as the winter sunlight cast a warm glow through the chapel’s beautiful stained-glass windows.
Inspiring addresses from Ann Connor OBE, Chair of the Trust Board, and Andrew Truby, Trust Chief Executive Officer, set a powerful tone for the day. Both leaders discussed the critical role of effective governance in driving the Trust’s successes, expressing their immense pride in its achievements. They outlined a bold vision for the future, emphasising the goal of providing a world-class Catholic education for all students.
Ann Connor OBE highlighted the importance of strong governance structures in ensuring accountability, strategic direction, and the continuous improvement of educational standards. She reiterated that robust governance is essential for creating an environment where both staff and students can thrive.
Andrew Truby spoke passionately about the Trust’s dedication to wellbeing, highlighting its importance for both students and staff. He shared various initiatives aimed at promoting mental health and wellbeing within the Trust, recognising that a supportive and nurturing environment is fundamental to achieving educational excellence. By prioritising wellbeing, the Trust aims to foster a positive and productive atmosphere where everyone can perform at their best.
Together, their addresses reinforced the Trust’s dedication to governance and wellbeing as cornerstones of its mission to deliver outstanding education and support to all its students and staff.
A highlight of the conference was the engaging keynote delivered by Laura McInerney, a renowned education journalist and founder of Teacher Tapp. Her talk, rich with research and practical insights on promoting wellbeing, was followed by an energetic Q&A session that delved into the crucial importance of staff wellbeing in education.
The afternoon sessions featured insightful presentations from three dedicated Trust staff members who shared their experiences and initiatives.
Stevie Toner, of The Trinity Catholic Academy, opened the session by discussing the transformative impact of the Instructional Coaching programme on teaching staff. She detailed how the programme has provided teachers with personalised support and professional development opportunities, leading to improved teaching practices and enhanced student outcomes.
Following Stevie, Adele Quarless, Deputy Headteacher of St Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Academy, took the stage to discuss the significant benefits of a fully-resourced curriculum. She explained how having access to comprehensive teaching materials and resources has not only enriched the learning experience for students but also significantly boosted staff morale and wellbeing. Adele emphasised that when teachers are well-supported with the right tools, they can focus more on delivering high-quality education.
Finally, Tracy Moorcroft, Headteacher of St Ambrose Catholic Academy, concluded the session by discussing the collaborative efforts within the Trust Headteacher’s group. She shared how this group fosters a strong sense of community and mutual support among headteachers, enabling them to share best practices, tackle common challenges, and drive continuous improvement across the Trust. Tracy highlighted several successful initiatives that have emerged from this collaboration, celebrating the power of teamwork and shared vision in achieving educational excellence.
These presentations not only showcased the innovative approaches being implemented within the Trust but also reinforced the collective commitment to staff wellbeing and professional growth. The positive feedback from attendees reflected the value and inspiration drawn from these sessions.
The Trust looks forward to welcoming colleagues to next year’s conference, building on the success of this year’s event. This year’s conference was organised by the Trust’s Central Governance team, with invaluable support from David Hayes, Headteacher and Lindsey Meadows, School Business Manager, of St Francis Xavier’s Catholic Academy.
