MATs

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

Wednesday

7th Jan 2026

DfE to push ahead with MAT inspections
Inspections of academy trusts could be launched in 2027-28 as Labour legislates for a major new role for Ofsted
The DfE is to introduce multi academy trust inspections.
Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson: Why we’re moving forward with trust inspections
Writing exclusively for ÌÇÐÄVlog, the education secretary sets out the government’s rationale for bringing trusts into Ofsted’s inspection remit
Bridget Phillipson explains why the government is introducing Ofsted trust inspections
Exclusive

Tuesday

6th Jan 2026

It’s ‘impossible’ to take on special schools, says MAT
Thirty-school trust says the size of the financial deficits being reported by special schools mean that it cannot take on any more
SEND school deficits make them ‘impossible’ acquisitions, trust warns

Friday

2nd Jan 2026

Saracens Multi-Academy Trust appoints new CEO
Chris Woolf joins the three-school trust following the retirement of Kate Alcock
Chris Woolf

Tuesday

30th Dec 2025

New Year Honours: MAT boss knighted and other leaders recognised
Six multi-academy trust leaders are among the education figures included in the New Year Honours list
A MAT leader has been knighted in the King's New Year Honours list

Tuesday

16th Dec 2025

David Ross Education Trust announces new chief executive
Simon Rose had been interim chief executive of the 36-school trust since September and has held other senior roles across DRET
Simon Rose

Tuesday

9th Dec 2025

Why England only needs 400 academy trusts
If we want a trust-led system that works for pupils, staff, communities and the taxpayer, we need to drastically reduce trust numbers, argues Mark McCourt
Funnelling crowd

Friday

5th Dec 2025

Revealed: how RISE money is being spent
Nearly £19 million has already been spent on the government’s school improvement plan – but there are concerns over where the rest will come from
Money bags
Exclusive

Friday

28th Nov 2025

How we built a successful CEO-chair dynamic from day one
A multi-academy trust chief and its chair of trustees explain how they addressed working together to ensure alignment in direction, but also the space to challenge and think
Synchronised swimmers
Warning over ‘unchecked’ safeguarding audits
Trust leaders tell ÌÇÐÄVlog that the process of submitting safeguarding audits to councils is ‘like marking your own homework’, and putting unnecessary pressure on school staff
Safeguarding audits
Exclusive

Thursday

27th Nov 2025

MAT to pilot later starts as part of KS3 ‘revolution’
Lift Schools and Reach Foundation launch a programme to tackle disengagement in Years 7 to 9, including testing out a later start to the school day

A new scheme is being launched to tackle an 'engagement crisis' among KS3 students.

Monday

24th Nov 2025

EMET appoints Paul Smith as new chief executive
The Northern Schools Trust chief education officer says he is excited to create ‘world-class’ opportunities for pupils and staff when he takes up the post
EMET appoints Paul Smith as new chief executive