1,000 signatures reached
To: The Members of St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust
Vote of No Confidence in the Leadership of St Ralph Sherwin CMAT
We, the undersigned, have no confidence in the leadership of CEO Kevin Gritton and the Board of Directors for St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust.
For nearly three years, the Trust has remained under Department for Education intervention due to serious concerns about financial management and governance. A revised Notice to Improve issued in 2026 confirms that sufficient progress has not been made.
At the same time, staffing cuts are being implemented across schools, affecting teachers, support staff, pastoral teams, and chaplaincy provision. Many staff have experienced a consultation process that lacked consistency, clarity, and fairness, creating stress and uncertainty and damaging confidence in leadership.
These decisions risk undermining the quality of education, support for vulnerable pupils, and the Catholic mission of schools within the Trust.
We believe the current leadership and Board no longer command the confidence of staff and stakeholders to lead the Trust through its challenges.
We therefore call for:
- A vote of no confidence in CEO Kevin Gritton and the Board of Trustees.
- The removal of Kevin Gritton as CEO and an independent review of the current internal executive leadership team, to determine whether changes are required to restore confidence and secure long-term stability.
- A leader with a proven track record of successfully leading a large Multi Academy Trust, who understands the financial, educational, and organisational challenges facing schools, and who has the skills, experience, and commitment to work constructively with recognised trade unions and Trust representatives to resolve disputes in a meaningful way, rebuild trust, and establish positive and effective industrial relations.
Why is this important?
For nearly three years, the Trust has remained under Department for Education intervention due to serious concerns about financial management and governance. Despite repeated opportunities to improve, the situation has deteriorated significantly, resulting in further intervention and growing concerns about the Trust's future.
We are now seeing the impact in our schools through cuts to teachers, support staff, pastoral teams, and chaplaincy provision. Staff have faced uncertainty, stress, and a loss of confidence in leadership.
Most importantly, these changes risk affecting the quality of education and support available to pupils.
We believe our schools need experienced leadership that can restore confidence, provide stability, and ensure staff are treated fairly, valued appropriately, and given greater security about their future while delivering sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the Trust.
That is why we are calling for change, and that is why we are asking for your support.