MATs

The latest news, analysis and case studies on multi-academy trusts, including trust growth, DfE policy and thought leadership from trust leaders

Yesterday

5th Jun 2026

Trusts with higher disadvantage and SEND face 75% bigger deficits
Tes analysis sparks calls for reform of funding and accountability systems to better support academy trusts with high numbers of vulnerable pupils
High-needs trusts face deeper per-pupil deficits, data shows

Tuesday

2nd Jun 2026

Catholic MAT to grow by 50% as mergers gather pace
The trust will take on 10 new schools if plans are approved this month, amid a wider consolidation of Catholic academies
Catholic MAT to take on 10 schools

Friday

22nd May 2026

3 stages of school development - how to spot them, and what to fix
Individual schools within groups are often at different stages in a journey – the key is to know what each stage is and how to move forward from there, says this leader
Tomatos on a vine

Friday

15th May 2026

All schools convert in England’s first fully-academised area
The shift to a fully-academised system brings opportunities for collaboration but may also leave councils struggling with their statutory duties, say leaders
Portishead

Thursday

14th May 2026

The White Horse Federation to take on 10 schools
Move comes as 11 more mergers are tabled for DfE approval, amid concern that small trusts are being ‘squeezed’ to merge with bigger ones
White Horse Federation to take on 10 schools

Tuesday

12th May 2026

How we created our own leadership coaching course
A trust leader explains how they merged three leadership courses into one bespoke programme for staff to ensure it meets their needs
How we created our own leadership coaching course

Thursday

7th May 2026

Weak governance flagged as threat to MAT expansion
Less than half of governors think their school’s resources, including reserves, should be shared across their trust, finds National Governance Association
Weak governance threatens MAT expansion
Exclusive

Wednesday

6th May 2026

Why do fewer teachers than ever want to be heads?
As headship aspiration reaches a record low, Tes explores what’s deterring people from taking the top job
Old pic of school class

Tuesday

5th May 2026

Lucy Heller to leave Ark Schools after 22 years
Ms Heller joined in 2004 as the founding director of the academy trust and was appointed chief executive 14 years ago
Lucy Heller

Thursday

30th Apr 2026

Flexible-working scheme fails to reach schools most in need of help
Only 3 per cent of school leaders were even aware of the government’s programme to increase flexible working after its first year, says DfE report
Concerns have been raised that the Department for Education’s (DfE) flexible working scheme did not reach the schools “most in need” of flexible working support.
Trusts’ self-generated income rises 25% to £366m
Academy trusts are raising more cash themselves, but there are concerns over growing disparities in the sector
Missing out on pizza

Monday

27th Apr 2026

7 key findings from annual academy trust accounts report
The DfE’s sector-wide report and accounts show deficits rising, higher staff costs and millions of pounds of extra financial support
Academy accounts 2023-24: Seven key findings