Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust

What Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust does

Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust (HFCMAT) is a UK-registered private limited company operating as a Catholic Multi Academy Trust based on the Wirral, serving children, families and communities across Wirral and Cheshire. The trust's core operation is the delivery of primary and secondary Catholic education through nine schools: two secondary colleges (St John Plessington Catholic College in Bebington and St Mary's Catholic College in Wallasey) and seven primary schools (St Alban's, St Augustine's, St Bernard's, St Joseph's, Ss Peter & Paul, Our Lady's, and Our Lady of Pity).

Beyond core teaching, HFCMAT has built a portfolio of specialist services. The Element is an alternative-provision unit operating from two sites — the Maritime Knowledge Hub in Birkenhead (KS3/KS4) and a presbytery in Wallasey Village (KS2, opened January 2025) — offering therapeutic, nurturing and academic support for students facing barriers to mainstream education, including those with ADHD, autism, learning difficulties, and emotional or behavioural challenges. The Element combines Rhythmic Movement Therapy Integration (RMTi), Therapy Outcome Measures (TOMs), and the Creative Habits of Mind framework. HFC Teacher Training (formerly Ignite Institute), run in partnership with Liverpool Hope University, offers primary and secondary PGCE programmes with a claimed over 95% first-year employment rate. Professional development is monetised through STEAM Hub NW, Maths Hub North West, and Inspire Learning TSH, plus a Subject Leader Network covering ten curriculum areas.

The trust's business model is anchored on UK government per-pupil funding via the national funding formula (no tuition fees are charged), supplemented by income from teacher training, CPD programmes, alternative-provision top-up funding, and venue hire. Go-to-market is community-led: expansion occurs by onboarding additional Catholic primary schools into the trust (two joined in early 2025), and the teacher-training programme acts as a talent pipeline and brand-builder. The C Change creativity collaborative, one of only eight Arts Council England Creativity Collaboratives nationally, extends the trust's reach into a network of 11 schools with partnerships spanning Durham University, Chester Zoo, Theatre Porto, Focal Studios, and the Global Institute of Creative Thinking.

Name

Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Legal name

Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Website

https://hfcmat.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Primary and Secondary Education (Catholic state-funded)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Needs & Learning Differences Private Schools (EDAJABAH)

Keywords

• Primary education
• Secondary education
• Teacher training
• Alternative provision
• Catholic schooling

Headquarters

HQ city

Bebington

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Education Funding: As a Multi Academy Trust, Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust receives government funding per pupil enrolled across its nine schools. This forms the primary revenue stream supporting educational operations, staff salaries, and school improvement initiatives.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust is a Catholic multi-academy trust that operates 9 state-funded schools (2 secondary and 7 primary) across the Wirral and Cheshire regions, delivering Catholic primary and secondary education to local pupils. Beyond its core schools, the trust runs an alternative-provision unit (The Element), a teacher-training arm (HFC Teacher Training), and several sector-wide hub partnerships including STEAM Hub NW, Maths Hub North West, Inspire Learning TSH, and C Change Creativity Collaborative, which extend its educational services to teachers and schools across the wider region.

Product overview

Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust operates as a unified educational platform comprising nine schools (two secondary and seven primary) across Wirral and Cheshire, united by Catholic faith and values. The portfolio includes core educational services through individual schools, enhanced by specialized sub-brands: The Element (alternative provision for students facing barriers to mainstream education at KS2-KS4), HFC Teacher Training (initial teacher training with primary and secondary PGCE programmes), professional development hubs (STEAM Hub NW, Maths Hub North West, Inspire Learning TSH), and the C Change Creativity Collaborative (creativity education initiative). The schools serve as the primary delivery mechanism while the specialized services provide supplementary support, training, and enrichment across the trust.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Primary Schools (7 within the trust) Catholic primary education for school-age children, delivered across 7 feeder primary schools under the Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust umbrella across the Wirral and Cheshire.
• Secondary Schools (2 within the trust) Catholic secondary education for school-age children, delivered across 2 secondary schools under the Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust in the Wirral and Cheshire.
• The Element (Alternative Provision) Alternative-provision unit operated by the trust, providing education and pastoral support for pupils who cannot access mainstream schooling, typically as part of the trust's inclusion and behavioural support pathway.
• HFC Teacher Training Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and continuing professional development (CPD) programmes run by the trust, supporting trainees and teachers across the region.
• STEAM Hub NW Designated STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) hub delivered by the trust as part of a regional hub network, supporting schools and teachers with STEAM education enrichment.
• Maths Hub North West Maths Hub operated by the trust as part of the national Maths Hub programme, providing maths teaching resources, CPD, and school-to-school support across the North West region.
• Inspire Learning TSH (Teaching School Hub) Designated Teaching School Hub providing initial teacher training, CPD, and school-to-school support for schools within the trust's hub area.
• C Change Creativity Collaborative Creativity collaborative run by the trust to support creative-arts and creativity-focused teaching across partner schools.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 95% of teacher training trainees secured their first teaching role during their training year
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Chester ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026C Change partnership with Chester Zoo for Zoo Ranger Days where students present conservation topics to visitors. The trust's 'Care for our Common Home' initiative includes Chester Zoo takeover events where students discuss sustainability topics including plastic waste, fast fashion, and conservation. Partnership supports the trust's sustainability education across multiple schools.
• Durham UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Partner in the Creativity Collaboratives research programme, led by Durham University in partnership with Arts Council England. Dr Helen Cramman, associate professor at Durham University's School of Education, co-authored the evaluation report demonstrating the transformative power of teaching for creativity.
• Arts Council EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Arts Council England partners with Durham University on the Creativity Collaboratives programme. C Change is one of only eight regional networks formed as part of this initiative, incorporated five HFCMAT schools plus five other schools.
• Theatre PortomajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Creative partnership supporting C Change's work around creative thinking. Emily Reid noted partnerships with Theatre Porto, Chester Zoo and Focal Studios have transformed educational experiences for young people.
• Focal StudiosmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Creative and digital industries partnership with Focal Studios in New Brighton, enabling young people to engage directly with creative sectors and understand how culture drives regeneration.
• RockpointmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Partnership with Rockpoint in New Brighton supporting place-based creative work that enables young people to engage with the creative and digital industries.
• C Change Network SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026C Change incorporated five HFCMAT schools (St Bernard's RC Primary, Our Lady of Pity RC Primary, St Mary's Catholic College, St John Plessington Catholic College, St Joseph's Catholic Primary) plus six other schools: Everton Nursery and Children's Centre, Everton Free School, Hinderton School, Parklands Community Primary School, Kelsall Primary School, The Oaks Community Primary School.
• Sefton Sixth Form CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2024Hosted Medical Careers Day for selected Year 10 and Year 11 students from St Mary's Catholic College and St John Plessington Catholic College, providing hands-on learning experiences in medicine and healthcare.
• University of LiverpoolmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2024Medical students from University of Liverpool guided participants through Medical Careers Day workshops and interactive discussions, offering insights into studying medicine and healthcare careers.
• Edge Hill UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2024Medical students from Edge Hill University participated in Medical Careers Day alongside University of Liverpool, providing expert guidance on medical career pathways.
• Global Institute of Creative ThinkingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 November 2024Awarding body for the Creativity in Schools Award recognizing C Change NW's Changemakers Project. Professor Bill Lucas serves as Director of the Centre for Real-World Learning and Chair of the Global Institute of Creative Thinking.
• Cambridge UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2024Participated in St Mary's Catholic College Annual Careers Fair, providing students with insights into higher education options and career opportunities at prestigious institutions.
• University of SheffieldmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2024Participated in St Mary's Catholic College Annual Careers Fair alongside Cambridge University, offering students guidance on higher education and career pathways.
• MatalanminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2024Green Careers Carousel event participant sharing what the company is doing to protect the environment and deliver sustainable ways of working. Part of the trust's Care for our Common Home Festival.
• Reaseheath Agricultural CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2024Green Careers Carousel event participant providing information on agricultural sustainability and environmental protection. Part of the trust's Care for our Common Home Festival.
• University of ChesterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2024Green Careers Carousel event participant sharing sustainable practices in higher education. Part of the trust's Care for our Common Home Festival.
• Cammell LairdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 October 2024Local business providing extended work placements for The Element students, equipping them with essential skills for future careers in engineering and maritime industries.
• Sir Nicholas SerotamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Keynote speaker at C Change 3rd Annual Conference 2024, contributing to the conference focused on 'The Power of Partnership – Journeys in Creativity'.
• Professor Bill LucasmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Professor of Learning and Director of the Centre for Real-World Learning and Chair of the Global Institute of Creative Thinking. Keynote speaker at C Change Conference 2024 and co-author of C Change philosophy on creative thinking in education.
• Darren HenleymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Chief executive of Arts Council England and keynote speaker at C Change Conference 2024, reinforcing the partnership between C Change and Arts Council England.
• Valerie HannonmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Founder of the Global Education Leaders Partnership and author of Thrive: The purpose of schools in a changing world. Keynote speaker at C Change 3rd Annual Conference 2024.
• Comino FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Workshop facilitator at C Change 3rd Annual Conference 2024, sharing creative approaches to partnership in education.
• Edge FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Workshop facilitator at C Change 3rd Annual Conference 2024, contributing to discussions on possibilities in partnerships.
• Schools of TomorrowminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Workshop facilitator at C Change 3rd Annual Conference 2024, sharing creative approaches to partnership.
• Creativity, Culture & EducationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Workshop facilitator at C Change 3rd Annual Conference 2024.
• Hywel RobertsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Teacher, Writer, Speaker and Imagineer who provided testimonial for The Element's curriculum approach. Featured at C Change Conference 2023.
• Dr Debra KiddmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Keynote speaker at C Change Conference 2023, an inspiring event learning from creative education thought leaders.
• Liverpool Hope UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2024HFC Teacher Training delivers PGCE programmes in partnership with Liverpool Hope University. Trainees receive curriculum specialists support from the university alongside school-based training. Partnership enables high-quality initial teacher training for primary and secondary teachers across Merseyside.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• GLF Schools: A multi-academy trust operating a network of primary and secondary schools with associated teacher-training and CPD programmes. Comparable to HFCMAT in combining school operations with teacher-training and professional-development extensions under one trust.
• Greenwood Academies Trust: UK MAT running primary and secondary academies with central school-improvement and professional development infrastructure. Comparable to HFCMAT in operating a multi-phase trust portfolio with central services for teachers and leaders, though secular in mission.
• STEP Academy Trust: A multi-academy trust operating a mix of primary and secondary schools across southern England with central trust-wide services. Closely comparable to HFCMAT in structure — a regionally clustered MAT operating both phases of K-12 with shared back-office and CPD functions.
• Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Multi-Academy Trust: A Catholic multi-academy trust running primary and secondary schools across a regional footprint in England. Closely comparable to HFCMAT in operating a faith-based school portfolio with central trust services, school-improvement programmes and Catholic ethos.
• All Saints Catholic Collegiate Trust: A Catholic multi-academy trust operating a cluster of primary and secondary Catholic schools in the East Midlands. Directly comparable to HFCMAT as a faith-based K-12 MAT, with similar mission, governance structure and school-improvement focus on Catholic education.

Broad incumbents

• Ormiston Academies Trust: A major UK MAT operating primary and secondary academies across England with central professional development and school-improvement functions. Comparable to HFCMAT's combined school portfolio plus CPD/Subject Leader Network offering, though secular and national in footprint.
• E-ACT: One of the largest multi-academy trusts in England operating dozens of primary and secondary academies across multiple regions. Directly comparable to HFCMAT as a UK MAT operator running a portfolio of schools under a central trust, though E-ACT is secular and operates at much greater scale.
• Academies Enterprise Trust (AET): One of the largest sponsors of academies in England, operating primary and secondary schools nationally with central school-improvement services. Comparable to HFCMAT in being a UK MAT operator, but with substantially larger scale and a secular portfolio.

Others

• Nisai Group: A UK provider of alternative provision and SEND support, including virtual and in-person learning pathways for students disengaged from mainstream education. Comparable to HFCMAT's The Element as an alternative provision / SEND support service operating alongside mainstream schools.
• Teach First: A leading UK initial teacher training provider placing trainees in schools across the country through partnerships with universities. Comparable to HFC Teacher Training (formerly Ignite Institute) as a school-based ITT provider with PGCE-equivalent pathways and high placement rates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HFCMAT
• Instagraminstagram.com/theelementhfcmat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust