CONTROL of one of Oxford’s worst-rated schools could change as part of a major plan to merge all Catholic schools in the county.

St Gregory the Great School in East Oxford, which has spent more than a year struggling to get rid of its ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating, could be taken over by a different education trust to help turn standards around.

The 1,400-pupil all-through school, which received fresh criticism from Ofsted last month, is currently run by the Dominic Barberi Multi-Academy Company (DBMAC).

But the DBMAC is reportedly in early talks to merge with another trust as part of the Archdiocese of Birmingham’s hope to unite all Catholic schools in Oxfordshire under the same umbrella.

The diocese, which covers much of the county, said this is part of a wider strategy to ‘secure, protect and improve Catholic education for generations’.

County councillor John Howson was not optimistic this would bring improvements at St Greg’s, however, and said it needs a trust with ‘strong direction’ and experience of problems facing the school.

The education expert said: “It’s merely shifting the pieces of the chess board to start a new game. [The diocese] doesn’t say anything about how the school will get out of the ‘inadequate’ rating.”

He also raised concerns about multi-academy trusts taking finances from their successful schools to drive improvements at failing schools.

Prof Howson suggested a time frame should be in place to ensure trusts do not prolong the process of ‘depriving resources’ from good schools to plug gaps elsewhere.

Catholic academy schools can only be run by trusts of the same denomination, of which there are only two in the county.

There is also Pope Francis Multi-Academy Company, which runs Blessed George Napier Catholic Secondary School in Banbury, Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School in Chipping Norton and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Banbury.

Recent documents about the diocese's education plan across its parish – named the Diocesan Academy Strategy - state it plans to 'develop Pope Francis MAC - moving forward in Oxfordshire'.

Asked if this meant Pope Francis would take over all Catholic schools in the county, a diocese spokeswoman said: "We are not in a position to elaborate further at this time."

As well as St Greg's in Cricket Road, the DBMAC also runs six other schools in Oxfordshire.

Its chair of directors David Forster said: “Part of the strategy includes proposals for all Catholic schools in Oxfordshire coming together at some stage, including St Gregory the Great, and all headteachers and governors are aware of this.

“This is a very detailed piece of work and one of great importance."

He sent a letter to parents at St Greg’s on Tuesday echoing this, adding: “Please be reassured that everything remains the same at this time and there is no cause for concern.”

Ahead of an Oxfordshire County Council meeting last week, Prof Howson asked Hilary Hibbert-Biles, cabinet member for education, for an update on St Greg's.

In May Ofsted said the DBMAC was not doing enough to improve the school and branded its efforts 'unacceptable', noting continued issues with leadership, behaviour and teaching.

Ms Hibbert-Biles's response stated: "Regular meetings have been established to monitor progress.

"The regional schools commissioner’s [who oversees academies] officer explained the school is in the process of being merged with another multi-academy trust, but this is still in the discussion phase.”

According to information on the diocese’s website, it wants all its schools to convert to academies – schools run by trusts instead of local authorities.

One document states: “Multi-academy companies have a successful track record for improving schools.

“The diocese is seeking to secure, protect and improve Catholic education not just for current pupils but for generations to come.

“There is greater risk to a multi-academy company that is too small, which restricts future capacity and limits financial viability."

A letter sent to diocese schools last month by Jonathan Veasey, director of the Diocesan Education Service, added: “We have seen at a national and international level what can happen when there isn’t a united, collaborative approach taken."

He said the new strategy was 'crucial in sustaining and improving our treasured Catholic education provision'.