As the education sector experiences an ever challenging financial climate, many see multi-academy trusts as providing some form of solution through the economies of scale and efficiencies that they can potentially bring to their schools. Indeed, recent analysis from the Education Policy Institute showed that MATs generally spend less on running expenses and more on teaching staff than local authority schools. That is not to say that converting to become or joining a multi-academy trust presents a solution in itself. Academisation is – as we’ve said many times – no panacea and MATs’ success (as with all organisations) depends on a combination of strategy, expertise, carefully developed systems and processes, and a good dose of innovation.
Moving from stark efficiencies to genuine resourcefulness. How could a white paper harness the potential of community-focused trusts in 2026 and beyond?
Michael Pain, Founder and Chair, Forum Strategy If we can be (almost) sure of one thing in 2026, it is that an education white paper is likely to be published early on in the new year. In a year where Bridget Phillipson will achieve what for so long has seemed an...
