--- title: "Catholic academy trust expansion sparks warning over religious control of state schools" date: "2026-05-23T08:00:00+01:00" modified: "2026-05-22T14:24:20+01:00" url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/05/23/catholic-academy-trust-expansion-sparks-warning-over-religious-control-of-state-schools/" post_id: 190890 categories: ["News"] --- # Catholic academy trust expansion sparks warning over religious control of state schools ![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-1200-x-628-px-8.webp?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1)Humanists UK has warned that the [proposed expansion](https://schoolsweek.co.uk/turnaround-catholic-trust-will-become-one-of-englands-largest/) of large faith-based academy trusts, St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, risks entrenching religious control over state-funded education, after reports that a government-backed Catholic turnaround trust is set to become one of England’s largest. Humanists UK said the case reflects a concern it has long raised: that academisation is opening the way for religious bodies to consolidate control over state-funded schools. In 2021, Humanists UK [warned](https://humanists.uk/2021/04/29/government-announces-more-than-2-million-in-funding-enabling-religious-take-over-of-yet-more-schools/) that government funding for Church academy trusts, including a Catholic ‘turnaround trust’, would extend religious influence across the school system. Expanding faith-based control of the school system risks increasing segregation of children on grounds of faith or belief, and [undermines cohesion](https://humanists.uk/2026/04/17/revealed-faith-school-religious-selection-drives-racial-segregation/) among pupils of different backgrounds. Furthermore, taxpayers’ money should not be used to fund trusts or schools that do so. The concern is especially acute in Liverpool, where Humanists UK has [previously highlighted](https://humanists.uk/2020/08/10/faith-based-school-admissions-disadvantage-non-religious-and-minorities-humanists-uk-tells-liverpool-council/) that the high proportion of religiously selective schools can leave non-religious and minority-faith families with little genuine access to inclusive local schools. In Liverpool [almost 50% of secondary school places](https://humanists.uk/2023/09/07/liverpool-needs-community-schools-not-more-faith-schools-new-muslim-school-to-open/) are subject to religious selection. It said those warnings now appear well-founded, with St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust reportedly set to become one of England’s largest academy trusts. This raises concerns about admissions, staffing, governance, curriculum, RE, and collective worship. St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust, which was originally backed by the Government as a pilot trust for so-called ‘orphan’ schools, is expected to grow to 65 academies within a few years. It will be one of three Catholic multi-academy trusts covering more than 200 schools across the Archdiocese of Liverpool. The Archdiocese of Liverpool says its academisation strategy, [*A Family of Christ: Our Future Together*](https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/archdiocese-announces-archbishops-vision-for-catholic-education), is intended to ‘secure and enhance future Catholic education’ across the area. St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust describes itself as ‘fully aligned’ around a mission to provide a ‘world-class Catholic education’, with a particular focus on Religious Education. #### **Commenting on the expansion plans, Humanists UK’s Policy and Campaigns Manager, Lewis Young, said:** ‘We warned in 2021 that government-backed faith academy trusts would mean more religious influence over state education. The reported growth of St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust shows that concern was well founded. ‘This is not just about one trust. It is about the growing power of huge faith-based academy chains to shape state-funded education around a religious ethos. ‘State schools are funded by the taxpayer and should serve all children equally. But when large numbers of schools are consolidated under religious governance, it risks entrenching religious discrimination and weakening protections for pupils, parents, and staff who do not share that faith. ‘The Government should be reducing religious discrimination in education, not allowing larger and more powerful faith-based trusts to control state-funded schools.’ #### Notes For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only). Read more about our work on [state-funded faith schools](https://humanists.uk/campaigns/current-campaigns/religious-schools/). [Read the Schools Week report](https://schoolsweek.co.uk/turnaround-catholic-trust-will-become-one-of-englands-largest/). [Read how faith school religious selection drives segregation](https://humanists.uk/2026/04/17/revealed-faith-school-religious-selection-drives-racial-segregation/). [Read our response to the 2021 expansion plans](https://humanists.uk/2021/04/29/government-announces-more-than-2-million-in-funding-enabling-religious-take-over-of-yet-more-schools/). Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.