Paul Barber, Director of the CES, said: “This amendment secures important legislative protections for Church academies similar to those that exist for maintained schools, and is a welcome measure to safeguard the charitable purpose of school land.

"The Catholic Church is the biggest provider of secondary education and second largest provider of primary schools, with nearly 850,000 pupils. With thanks to the Government this legislation will help ensure the Church’s mission in education is protected as schools move toward a multi-academy trust model.”