MATs

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

Friday

12th Jun 2026

Revealed: the widening gender gap in MAT CEO pay
There has been a sharp rise in the salary gap between male and female leaders of the 100 biggest academy trusts, 91¶¶Òõ analysis reveals
Gap in stepping stones
Exclusive
Eastern trusts plan 42-school merged MAT
The Inspiring Futures through Learning trust and Chiltern Learning Trust hope to merge next year if their plan gets DfE approval
Merging zipper
Exclusive

Wednesday

10th Jun 2026

ASCL to create ‘safe space’ for trust CEOs to ‘amplify’ their voice
New network aims to make government more aware of the challenges being faced by academy trust leaders
voice microphones

Tuesday

9th Jun 2026

Headteachers don’t just need support - they need a better system
From standards and outcomes to SEND, safeguarding, attendance and staff wellbeing, heads are under ever-increasing pressure, and they can’t handle it alone, says this leader
Rock climber

Friday

5th Jun 2026

Trusts with higher disadvantage and SEND face 75% bigger deficits
91¶¶Òõ 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, 91¶¶Òõ explores what’s deterring people from taking the top job
Old pic of school class