Opinion

MATs: What’s in it for us?

We must all be in or joining a multi-academy trust by 2030, but with the DfE still to present evidence for its policy, we must ask: is there a compelling case for academisation or is it blind compulsion? Paul Whiteman explains
Image: Adobe Stock - Image: Adobe Stock

When the government released its White Paper for education last month (DfE, 2022), it was their plans for a minimum length school week and the new “parent pledge” attainment targets that got the attention.

The announcement that all schools must be in a multi-academy trust (MAT) or have plans to join or form one by 2030 got far less coverage.

In a way that isn’t surprising. School leaders are still fighting a constant battle against the on-going disruption caused by Covid, trying to manage high levels of staff absence, and mitigate against lost learning for pupils when attendance is still low. With all their attention focused on the now, longer-term plans for tinkering with structures just don’t seem like a priority.

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