New ��ƷSM��ӰƬ Report Highlights Pathways to Strengthen Multi-Academy Trusts for the Future

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A newly published ��ƷSM��ӰƬ report, "The Mature MAT Model: Success, Innovation, and Challenges in the Trust System," celebrates the maturity of the trust system, and sets out four key priorities for MATs moving forwards.

The trust system has matured in multiple ways. Approaches to growth are more considered while those operating at the academy-level increasingly see their trust as a single organisation, and are supportive of sharing resources across their organisation. Trust governance is increasingly distinct and successful while MATs are harnessing the benefits of being part of a group to deliver greater financial sustainability, and innovative staff development programmes.

Our four priorities for the system moving forwards:

Balancing Localisation and Centralisation: Trusts should continue to optimise the balance between school-level independence and centralised decision-making for greater impact.
Ensuring Adequate Resources: Trusts must have access to sufficient funding, staff, and volunteers to deliver improved outcomes for pupils.
Geographical Coherence & Scale: Trusts must be large enough to leverage the model's benefits while ensuring local relevance and community engagement.
System-Wide Reform: Inspection, accountability, and local oversight should evolve to reflect the changing landscape of a trust-led education system.

Michael Barton, Head of External Affairs and Advocacy, said:
“Trusts aren’t just the Majority Model for state schools in England; they have achieved a new maturity too. Trusts are getting better and better at harnessing the benefits of the MAT model – from governance to financial management and staff development – made possible by a growing buy-in to the MAT model from academies and a more responsible approach to growth from trusts. This report celebrates this progress and the central role that trusts are playing today in breaking down barriers to opportunity. It concludes with four key priorities for trusts and policymakers in the coming years.”

The report underscores that trusts, when well-supported, can transform opportunities for schools, staff, and pupils. With the sector facing challenges and opportunities, the report encourages trust leaders and policymakers to continue collaborating to build on these successes and further refine the trust system