Birmingham Catholic MAC Websites Fail the Test

Writing is about choosing. Writers select the content. They leave out words and phrases that go against their case. They choose to avoid ambiguity, or decide to put it in, and skip the bits they don’t understand or can’t easily explain.

Identify what is omitted and the world, as the writers see it comes into view. What is uncovered does not always impress.

Look for clues

Visit the websites of each of the thirteen Birmingham MACs (Multi Academy Companies, often referred to as Multi Academy Clumps) to see what is buried/deleted/glossed over/falsely claimed or just ignored.

The result is a startling picture of how the leaders see their role in leading their MAC. Equally unnerving is the variation across the MACs in what they write about and how they present their views.

Start with the welcome page allegedly written by the leader of the MAC. Tread carefully beyond that opening welcome page before you will tumble through the looking glass into a world view distorted by strange versions of ‘vision’, ‘MAC values’, ‘Catholic life’, ‘Aims and Purposes’.

Sometimes, the picture of the MAC being Catholic is marred by spurious links, vague language, stretching interpretations of the gospel to justify their existence as Catholic – while missing the essence of their real gospel foundation and ignoring their link with the mission of the diocese.

They might at least get this part right.

What is in a name?

The MAC names give pause for thought.

Who picked the names and why? Is each name supposed to be like a brand name, such as ‘Tesco’, ‘M&S’, ‘NHS’? The name of these institutions gives an unmistakable message.

Or did the diocese painstakingly select the names of each MAC to give a spread of names that all together summed up the mission of the diocese, addressing need and opportunity across its geographical spread?

Or maybe there was no central input at all.

There is no hint in the name Our Lady of the Magnificat (www.magnificat.org.uk) to say it is to do with education. It could be a name of a parish church. Equally, the name might fittingly refer to a sodality dedicated to supporting women who were pregnant against all the odds, referring as it does to the meeting between Elizabeth, who was barren and old, and her kinswoman Mary, who had just been told by an angel of her unusual pregnancy.

The Painsley Catholic Academy - Better Together (www.painsleymac.co.uk) brings to mind a Scottish tartan. Maybe it was named after some local connection that is not clear to readers who have never heard of the school the academy grew out of. The “Better Together” slogan in the title is unfortunate because it shares this sentiment with County line gangs, Hells Angels Clubs and lynch mobs.   

Whereas a name like Our Lady and All Saints Catholic Multi Academy Company (www.olaas.co.uk) signals it is about an education setup. You know what to expect as you read on.

Why does the diocese not stipulate that each multi academy clump should have the words, ‘Catholic’, along with ‘Multi Academy’ and ‘Company’ in the title? And possibly add a hint as to where it operates?

Where do they operate?

Readers can already appreciate the task of the schools if they know where the MAC operates. Schools in rural Warwickshire and Worcestershire will demand a different approach from a group of schools in the centre of Birmingham with their unique mix of ethnicity, religions, and reach of social deprivation.

The reader is already working out what tactics the MAC might use to lead, manage, monitor and improve the provision and remain dedicated to its foundation of serving the gospel mission of preaching the Word of God in their area, in alignment with the mission of the diocese.

Why would such vital information be left out?

When did they write this?

When was the welcome page written and posted online? There are no dates for any part of the writing. The reader has no idea how often that welcome page changes to reflect the growing and new demands facing education and Catholic schools in particular.

Without regular and frequent updates, the impression is of a MAC that is a clump of soulless satellites overseen by sclerotic management.

Sensitive pages disappear if they are challenged or questions raised with hardly a trace of their going.

How did they meet?

On what basis were the schools clumped together in each MAC?

You might guess at shared interests, perceived specialisms, charism in common, joint ventures already started, similar challenges in common social and religious contexts, shared concern about particular problems such as pupils and students with special needs, or the need for a united Catholic presence and voice in an area.

This information is not part of the websites. The reader must conjure up their own model that drove the clumping of schools.

The obvious model seems to be based predominantly on geographical consideration – a Google Map model. Surely, ease of travel between each school was not considered significant enough to drive such a momentous change in Catholic education?

We don’t know.

The model used is one of the unspoken elements on the websites.

How do they serve?

How about some inkling about what the MAC does for the schools in its clump?

Some Board members display impressive and relevant occupational expertise, but they are not in a position of delivery.

Who on the delivery officer team has the skill, the experience, and the expertise to bring about a combined thrust to work alongside the mission of the diocese?

What educational expertise and experience does the MAC draw on among its officers?

Why do some MACs move their headteachers and leaders as often as a farmer moving an electric fence to manage grazing horses?

It would be helpful if such information was clearly stated on the websites.

Are they all the same?

What is unique in each MAC?

In Catholic Schools Inspection, they use the word ‘charism’ to describe the unique elements some schools have. Could the same word be used about MACs where their special blend of gospel application in response to the needs and opportunities of their communities identifies them as unique?

It would be reassuring to know what those charisms are and what range and variety exists across the diocese.

CEO, CSEL or Accounts Officer?

Who runs the MACs?

Leaders are titled CSEL, or CEO, or CSEL/CEO, or CSEL and Chief Accounts officer.

The acronym of CSEL (Catholic Senior Executive Leader) was already used at Allied Command Operations at NATO’s Supreme Headquarters for Command Senior Enlisted Leader. Did anyone check? 

In some MACs, there is no named leader. In one case, the MAC seems led directly by the Board.

The CSEL in one MAC has a background in social services, a most useful attribute and valuable experience in discerning the social profiles and extra resources available to his schools.

One CSEL lists some experience in private education, but it does not say if that was a hinderance or a positive career move.

When a Board member is described as being “Director of Communications for a foundation of Independent Schools”, the temptation is to ask which foundation so that a benchmark measuring value can be applied.

Each leader will have a peculiar interpretation of their work as reflected in their title, so the title they use says a lot.

Catholic?

As for expressing the key elements that justify their claim to be Catholic, make your own mind up on that, but don’t hold your breath expecting clear and enlightening insights.

The CES publications give definitive statements on Catholic education and Catholic schools. Not a lot of that thinking is found on the MAC websites.

The learning from sound theology and extensive scripture research is replaced by shibboleths, slogans and lists of values supposedly rooted in the gospel that do not constitute a rationale for calling a MAC Catholic.

It would be most helpful if writers took a minute to express a description of Catholic schools approved by the bishops rather than some fantasy of their own making, which may or not have been formed/deformed by their own insular experience of Catholic schools.

The absence of a shared fundamental statement of what it is to be a Catholic MAC is a surprising omission from a Catholic MAC website.

With so much unsaid, readers will judge their local MAC by what they do as well as by what they say.

Is that the best way to preach the gospel?

© Ted Dunphy

________________________________

Disclaimer

I am not connected in any way with the Birmingham Diocesan Education Service or the Catholic Education Service. The views expressed here are my own and are based on experience, research and evidence. 

The experience comes from teaching in and working with Catholic schools around England over many years.

The research is based on the past three years investigating Catholic school websites in countries around the world, but especially in England.

An evidence-based approach challenges and refines the learning from the experience and the research.

I strongly support Pope Francis’ concept of synodality as a way of finding truth. I listen before I talk. I welcome you to have your say.

Ted Dunphy

edwarddunphy1@mac.com

Tel: 44 (0) 1527 894659

Mobile: 44 (0) 7891 179180

www.schoolwebsitewriting.com