We have recently become a part of St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi-Academy Trust.

We are a newly formed family of 64 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, part of a wider community of MACs united in one mission:

Forming Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice.

Rooted in the witness of St Gabriel the Archangel, God’s messenger of Good News, we share his call to bring hope, courage and clarity to the children, families and communities entrusted to our care. His words – “Do not be afraid” – guide us as we look to the future with faith, boldness and high expectations.

This is a time of listening and co-creating – shaping our Trust together with those we serve, drawing on the strength of our size, the richness of our diversity and the gifts of every person.

We invite you to journey with us in faith, hope and love, as we build a flourishing Catholic family for today and tomorrow.

St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi-Academy Trust

Who is St Gabriel the Archangel?

St. Gabriel is an angel who serves as a messenger for God to certain people. He is one of the three archangels. Gabriel is mentioned in both the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible.

First, in the Old Testament, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his visions. He speaks to Daniel while he is sleeping. After Gabriel's first visit, Daniel becomes tired and sick for days. Gabriel later visits Daniel again, providing him with more insight and understanding in an answered prayer.

 In the New Testament, Gabriel, described as "an angel of the Lord," first appears to Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist. He delivers the message that his wife, Elizabeth, will soon become pregnant. 

Gabriel also delivers a message to Mary. Gabriel told Mary she would conceive from The Holy Ghost and the baby would be the Son of God. 

Gabriel's attributes are the Archangel; he is clothed in blue or white; and is seen carrying a lily, a trumpet, a shining lantern, a branch from Paradise, a scroll or a sceptre. In art, Gabriel is most commonly represented in the scene of the Annunciation. In art, Gabriel is often represented in the scene of the Annunciation.

Gabriel is recognised as the patron saint of messengers, telecommunication workers, and postal workers. His feast day is celebrated on September 29, along with St. Michael and St. Raphael.

5 Characteristics of St Gabriel the Archangel for Our Catholic MAT to live by:

1. We Stand in God’s Presence with Confidence and Humility

“I am Gabriel, and I stand before the throne of God.”
We live and lead with the knowledge that our authority, dignity, and purpose come from God—not from status, success, or self. Like Gabriel, we know who we are and Whose we are. In our schools, we cultivate a culture of quiet confidence, rooted in our divine identity and grounded in humility.

2. We Speak with Peace and Courage

“Do not be afraid.”
In a world full of uncertainty, we echo Gabriel’s greeting by offering reassurance, compassion, and stability. We recognise that learning, change, and faith can be frightening—and we walk with others through it. Our Trust builds a culture of safety, kindness, and pastoral attentiveness.

3. We Believe that with God Nothing is Impossible

“Nothing is impossible for God.”

Gabriel announces world-changing hope. We believe every child, every family, and every member of staff holds limitless God-given potential. We are not defined by our past or our limitations, but by the transforming power of grace. Our vision is bold, our faith is bold, and with courage we dare to step forward in hope

A shared conviction that every life can be renewed

4. We Listen with Love
 “The holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.”

Gabriel communicates God’s message with clarity and compassion, adapting his words to Daniel, Zechariah, and Mary. In the same way, our vocation is not only to teach but to communicate with love – listening deeply, understanding, and responding to each unique member of our community. Our pedagogy is relational, attentive, and compassionate. We are messengers of meaning, not just content.

5. We Serve a Mission Greater Than Ourselves

Gabriel does not act for himself, but as a servant of God’s plan. So too, we serve our schools not for personal ambition, but in service of God’s Kingdom. Each of us — whatever our role — is called to lead with humility and purpose. We plant seeds whose harvest we may never see. Our work is vocational, hopeful, and future-facing.