The Governing Body of Wimbledon College is proposing to convert Wimbledon College from voluntary aided status to academy status, joining the Sancta Familia Academy Trust within the Archdiocese of Southwark.

The Bishops of England and Wales have asked all Catholic schools to join together in Catholic Academy Trusts (CATs), as they believe that the Trust will provide the best framework for maintaining and developing Catholic education across their dioceses. The Archdiocese of Southwark, has also made clear its intentions for all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese to join one of five local CATs. The Governors with support from the Jesuits in Britain have responded to the direction of the Archbishop of Southwark and looked closely at whether an academy model would be in the best interests of the students, staff and wider community of Wimbledon College. 

In support of the Bishops’ initiative, the College leadership has been working closely and proactively, with the local Catholic schools, identified below to establish the Sancta Familia CAT. We believe that this collaboration in solidarity with those whose vision we share is the best way of contributing to a successful Trust that will benefit all of our schools.     

The Governors are now undertaking stakeholder consultation on the proposal to move forward. The College already has the advantage of being involved with the development of the Trust from its infancy. As an excellent school performing well, the Governors are keen that the College has full control of when and how it moves towards academy status.

The purpose of the stakeholder consultation is to engage with the school's community (parents, pupils, teachers and the wider community) about the Governors' proposal for Wimbledon College to convert to academy status. We would be grateful for your views about the proposal and would also like to hear from you if you have any questions regarding the process. If you would like to comment or ask a question we would ask that you complete the Consultation Google Form which you can access here;

Consultation Form Link

The consultation period commenced on Monday 17th March 2025 and will run for a period of 8 weeks ending on Friday 9th May 2025.

There will be a consultation evening with Governors and the Headteacher, which parents are invited to attend, at 6.30pm on Wednesday 2nd April 2025.

The Sancta Familia CAT has been established and five schools have already joined it. The Trust will initially serve Catholic schools in Merton, Sutton and Croydon. The five schools that have converted to academies are:

• St Elphege's RC Infants School
• St Elphege's RC Junior School
• Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School
• Ursuline High School Wimbledon (11-18)
• St John Fisher RC Primary School

The following schools are proposing to join the Sancta Familia CAT:

• St Philomena's Catholic High School for Girls (11-18)
• St Mary's RC Infants School
• St Mary's RC Junior School
• St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School
• Wimbledon College (11-18)
• Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
• St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
• St Teresa's Catholic Primary School
• SS Peter and Paul Catholic Primary School
• St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Wimbledon