MATs

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

Saturday

21st Feb 2026

DfE White Paper to call for all schools to be in trusts
Government announces target to halve disadvantage gap, along with plans for funding reform, a new progress measure and retention bonuses for heads
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson

Thursday

19th Feb 2026

SEND crisis ‘harder to fix’ with schools outside strong MATs
Government inclusion adviser Tom Rees speaks to ÌÇÐÄVlog ahead of the publication of the schools White Paper and SEND reform plans
Tom Rees

Friday

13th Feb 2026

Revealed: What CEOs are paid at the biggest MATs
ÌÇÐÄVlog’ annual review of the salaries of chief executives at the largest multi-academy trusts reveals that a quarter of them had a bigger percentage pay rise than teachers
Man looking at coin
Exclusive

Thursday

12th Feb 2026

‘Outlier’ CEO pay flattens after DfE crackdown
But leaders’ pay still varies hugely at trusts told to justify their pay decisions – from £25 per pupil to £331, ÌÇÐÄVlog analysis reveals
Deflated hot air balloons
Exclusive

Monday

9th Feb 2026

Half of RISE schools faced ‘challenges’ with supporting organisations
DfE urged to rethink which schools are targeted under its new school improvement programme after evaluation report highlights early difficulties
Half of RISE schools had 'challenges' with supporting organisations

Friday

6th Feb 2026

GLF Schools appoints new CEO from DfE
The 43-school trust will be led by Warwick Sharp, following the resignation of Julian Drinkall last May
Warwick Sharp
Revealed: How much the biggest MATs make from investments
The largest multi-academy trusts are generating millions by investing surplus cash, but sector leader warns this must not replace core funding
Big slice of cake
Exclusive

Thursday

5th Feb 2026

Academy trust reserves to plummet in next two years
Trusts face a ‘bleak outlook’ with their budgets despite a strong financial performance last year, Kreston report warns
Academy trusts' reserves are forecast to fall

Friday

30th Jan 2026

Why the Schools Bill remains a threat to a thriving sector
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill has been stuck in Parliament for a year and yet key problems remain within the legislation, argues Meg Powell-Chandler
The Houses of Parliament, London

Thursday

29th Jan 2026

£2m donation boosts Lift Schools’ surplus
Lift Schools, the fifth biggest multi-academy trust in England, says it is increasingly looking at income beyond government funding to support its schools

Lift Schools receives £2m donation
Primary MAT’s finances improve despite school-level deficits
Bath and Wells Diocesan Academies Trust’s latest accounts reveal 10 schools with a combined deficit of £775,000
Stack of pound coins
Trust’s merger masks £1m deficit
The Harbour Schools Partnership publishes its first accounts since it was formed in April 2025 from the merger of Ventrus Multi Academy Trust and Tarka Learning Partnership
Merger income masks £1m academy trust deficit