3. Baxter, J. Use these resources to help you lead a successful and sustainable MAT, School model policy templates: meet your legal requirements, Creating or joining a MAT: making the right decision for your school, Joining a MAT: questions a school leader should ask, MAT leadership: resources, guidance and best practice, tools and resources to ensure compliance, best practice and high-quality in-house training, attendance to digital and face-to-face conferences*. Labours education mission: all you need to know, Labours grand rhetoric lacks credibility due to fiscal caution, Spielman: Dont use schools as first lever for social problems, Schools to get trial runs before joining academy trusts, Williamson wants far more schools moving into MATs, try before they buy through a new process in which they form temporary partnerships with multi-academy trusts. Her latest book is Trust, Accountability and Capacity in Education System Reform (Routledge, 2020). All rights reserved. You have to be steadfast about what you believe in. Both TOD and POD accounts are quick and dirty ways of avoiding probate, which can be slow, expensive, public and . School governors vs academy trustees: what's the difference? As a BERA member you will receive access to the BERA Journals and the latest digital issue of Research Intelligence, be able to join communities and receive member discounts when booking events. Detractors say the rights of parents to choose the type of school they want for their children is also weakened by the academy system. I would go further and suggest they consider appointing an independent body, thus ensuring complete impartiality. The process is to review compatibility, not suitability. MATs are groups of schools that are led by an executive head teacher and a board of trustees, and are largely a result of a broader international trend which has changed patterns of interaction between government and society across the public sector, to solve seemingly intractable problems and create new possibilities for governing. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail. She is based in the Department of Public Leadership and Social Enterprise at the Open University Business School. Many areas of due diligence which the MAT would undertake on a school potentially joining them are obvious, such as financial records past and present, along with future financial projections. Shadoweducation secretary Angela Rayner told the Labourconference last month that academies and free schools neither improve standards nor empower staff or parents . The government says Mats are the most efficient way for schools to collaborate but research suggests it isnt so clear cut. There are 37 Labour and Co-operative MPs - but when it comes to schools policy, the Labour and Co-operative parts of their title seem to be pulling in completely different directions, the news site adds. When academies are failing, dont pass the parcel bring back local authorities. Those schools that lack a strong vision and mission and refuse to be pressurised to expand beyond their capacity, are better positioned to succeed than those who let themselves be talked into expansion before they are ready. Get the latest news and expert analysis from The Headteacher delivered straight to your inbox every day! They need to be fully committed with as few doubts as possible. The most extensive investigation into federations, carried out in 2011 by Christoper Chapman [pdf], professor of educational policy and practice at the University of Glasgow, is optimistic about their effects on student outcomes. Despite the governments drive to encourage all schools to be part of a MAT, there have been numerous high-profile failures of such organisations. 19 Oct 2018 Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images The Labour Party's vow to scrap the UK's current academy system has reignited debate about the controversial schools. We also need to be able to address issues in the small number of cases where they arise. It was an interesting collection of the left, the right and the middle some of their fears were reasonable and grounded and some were just ridiculous. All rights reserved. Its that Donald Rumsfeld thing; you dont know what you dont know until you come across it. Last time this was tried, in 2016, ministers were forced into a U-turn, due in part to opposition from Conservative councils. Well-performing chains will give you a list of policies and structures, says Hutchings. MATs have the potential to improve education outcomes and financial management, but they may also lead to loss of local control and reduced transparency, and must be managed effectively to ensure that resources and attention are distributed fairly among academies within the trust. Its not a panacea to join a chain. We found considerable variation between the performance of Mats, says Jon Andrews, director of education data and statistics at EPI. Required fields are marked *. Judging by recent announcements this growth has not been swift enough and possibly failed to meet expectations. Moving into a MAT is even more complex; are you the lead school? Get the latest news and expert analysis from The Headteacher delivered straight to your inbox! Having refused to fund the pandemic package that his own expert appointee recommended, Boris Johnson wants Mr Zahawi to polish up the governments poor record. Back in March, every school in England was going have to have to convert. And the people of ProMedica are here to provide you with the highest level of care and service. The most extensive investigation into federations, carried out in 2011 by Christoper Chapman. London: Sage, Professor in Public Policy and Management at The Open University. You have accepted additional cookies. The beginning of March this year saw the Government announce that by 2025 they want to see far more schools residing in "strong families", therefore effectively supporting the accelerated growth of Multi Academy Trusts (MATs). Wed like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. Academies were introduced by Tony Blairs Labour government through the Learning and Skills Act 2000, in a bid to boost struggling schools in deprived inner-city areas. Look beyond the obvious: (modern), For years, multi-academy trusts escaped inspection altogether, with Ofsteds remit limited to individual schools., Teachers at ex-Tory ministers academy chain set to strike, Parents are frightened for themselves and for their children: an inspirational school in impossible times, Education of children in care in England held back by system failings, Nadhim Zahawi makes U-turn on schools bill after criticism, Council-maintained schools outperform academies in England, study shows, Teachers union NEU warns of classroom culture wars, Foolishness of Tory education policy laid bare, Allegations of toxic working environment at top London school. This research report presents the results of a survey designed to understand the experiences and perceptions of schools about multi-academy trusts (MATs). The emphasis in the white paper on the quality of teaching is welcome, as is targeted funding for disadvantaged areas and a mental health lead in each school. Research by the Education Policy Institutelast year concluded that turning schools into academies doesnt automatically improve standards, with primary and secondary schools in academy groups among the worst performing in the country. The issue is a fraught one within the party, asdozens of its own MPs are part of a group opening academies and planning to become one of Englands biggest academy providers, the BBCreports. Times Education Supplement. But critics have questioned how well this system actually works, pointing out that many Mats have expanded rapidly and been unable to support all of their schools. A multi-academy trust is more likely to be effective if it is focused in one area of the country. The DfE is launching a pilot programme, in partnership with the Church of England and the Catholic Church, to set up new church academy trusts, Mr Williamson revealed. The DfE is putting24 million into its Trust Capacity Fund to help school trusts to take on more academies in 2021-22, Mr Williamson said: We especially want to support strong trusts, and strong schools forming trusts, so that they are better able to take on underperforming schools in areas of high need.. In this case it tends to become more challenging, depending on the quality of the leadership.. It is not clear how much encouragement maintained schools have received directly to convert and join MATs. Proponents argue that academies drive up educational standards in disadvantaged areas by allowing external investment above the means of cash-strapped local authorities, giving head teachers larger budgets and more opportunities. Just over 50 per cent are happy pooling school resources at MAT level, up from 41 per cent two years ago. (modern). Improved financial management: MATs can help to improve financial management across the group, as resources and expertise can be shared to ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness in budgeting and financial planning. How are you working together? The Tory conviction that academies drive improvement is not supported by evidence and ministers know it. Well send you a link to a feedback form. Multi-academy trusts inquiry. Education Committee (2017). We ask headteachers with experience of converting from schools to academies what the process was like. The UK has over 1,200 MATs, ranging in size from two to 76 schools. No one who wants the best for the next generation could object to the governments ambition to spread the brilliance of the best trusts. Better accountability: MATs are held accountable to the Department of Education, and are required to report on their performance and demonstrate that they are delivering high-quality education. If academisation is something that youre thinking about, or being steered towards, you have to engage your staff in that process. The NEU case against academisation | National Education Union The MAT might not be right for the school. This should be conducted by both parties. Chapman found a time lag of two to four years from when a federation was formed to it overtaking non-federated schools suggesting that improvements take time to emerge. (2018, August 1). Recent ministerial warnings about single-academy trust (SAT) leaders sitting in splendid isolation had really wound them up, Marshall said. Jeff Marshall, of academy advisers J&G Marshall, said he had seen little if any. Six years later, and six months after becoming education secretary, Nadhim Zahawi has sweetened the bill to win them over. Nick MacKenzie discusses what you need to consider if joining a MAT and dispels some common myths, School leadership teams and governors must be convinced that they are joining the right multi-academy trust. All schools to be academies: What teachers need to know The idea is that, in an age when many schools have broken away from local authority control, this will enable them to team up and support one another. They need to identify the task ahead and ask themselves if they have the resources and expertise to assign to this project. Survey shows lack of appetite among maintained schools and single-academy trusts. He saidSTEP multi-academy trustin South London and East Sussex was already using this approach. 4. PDF, 1.62 MB, 69 pages Details This research was designed to answer 3 key research questions: what are the experiences of schools or academies that have joined a MAT in the last couple of years?. Gavin Williamson:Schools to get trial runs before joining academy trusts, Academies:Williamson wants far more schools moving into MATs, Covid:Pandemic slows down academy trust growth. Multi-academy trusts: establishing and developing your trust Retrieved from https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/education-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/multi-academy-trusts-15-16/. We found that the GCSE performance of federations was significantly higher than their non-federated counterparts, says Chapman. Without further messaging, schools would sit there as they are. As Huxham (1996) reports, this is the reason why so many of these organisations in the third sector eventually fail. There is a logic to the division of labour it envisions, whereby councils plan provision and coordinate admissions, and trusts concentrate on delivery. Analysis of the narratives of trustees revealed that there are seven principal drivers behind MAT expansion: Adopting a strategy as narrative approach revealed that since the Education Reform Act 1988 introduced local management of schools (LMS), the marketised English education environment has become increasingly competitive. Some of the big chains that havent done terribly well have schools dotted all over the country, Hutchings adds. When we stepped up and said wed help to get the school back on its feet, we were left to it. Overall, the effectiveness of Multi-Academy Trusts can vary, and whether or not they are a positive development depends on the particular context in which they are implemented. The staff sessions were remarkably benign; the big concerns came from the local community. 3. Alex Smythe is headteacher of Newcroft primary school in Leicestershire, which is set to convert and become part of a multi-academy trust of six schools on 1 September. The research suggests its a complex situation, with studies reporting varying success in raising student attainment. One problem identified by the Sutton Trust is the speed of growth. As practitioners, we didnt feel that the LA had the expertise or ambition for us. Naturally, the projections need to be scrutinised for accuracy. Theres been a lot of if it aint broke, dont fix it talk about the academies programme, but for us it was about taking the opportunity to put the future of our academy in our hands. The same old messages wont work.. So too is the governments commitment to the research-focused Education Endowment Foundation, and the creation of a compulsory register of children not attending school. But Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said schools would have to wait and see new ministers interest in more major measures to complete reforms. Some 11 weeks and one U-turn (or Z-turn) later, it was announced that only underperforming schools would be forced to, although the government held firm in its assertion that all schools should. You need professionals who see the benefit of working across schools, otherwise they retrench into their own school and the opportunities to practise knowledge and expertise across the Mat are lost., Focusing on quick fixes rather than long-term solutionsis a common cause of problems, Chapman continues. Here is everything you need to know from Mr Williamsons speech at the Confederation of School Trusts annual conference today. Work towards awards that support and accredit schools for outstanding non-curricular provision. This is a voluntary tool to help academy trusts understand their most significant areas of strength and challenge. The education secretary has made a series of announcements today aimed at getting more schools to move into MATs. The education secretary alsosaid he wants schools rated as requiresimprovement by Ofsted in three consecutive inspections to be turned into academies. Organized Sports for Children, Preadolescents, and Adolescents Why your school should join a multi-academy trust | Tes Health care is a calling that requires special people. This research was designed to answer 3 key research questions: It presents the difference between the experience of being within a MAT and perceptions of what being in a MAT would be like. And what is it that makes them fail? I think you have to embrace change and let it happen, but that means getting to the point that you know and understand the risks involved and can make sure that they are understood by everyone else. By identifying these priorities, associated costs can be planned, allowing for resources to be allocated elsewhere initially. This should be treated as any other properly managed project with a fully documented plan, a team and lead assigned, stakeholders identified, risks and associated mitigations registered, and milestones documented. When reviewing the finances, it is wise to interrogate existing contractual agreements for outsourced services. One of the areas that most exercises school leaders and boards is the setting of strategic direction for the MAT. Already more than half of academies are members of Mats, and the government is now encouraging isolated academies to join trusts. Evaluate your skills and knowledge, identify gaps and determine training needs. A separate EPI report from 2017 found that "academies do not provide an automatic solution to school improvement" and that "there is significant variation in performance at both different types of academies and multi-academy trusts". He also said the department was working with the Catholic Education Service and itsdioceses to set upa new turnaround trust to specifically support Catholic schools in need of intensive support. Your email address will not be published. If my main school was struggling, I dont know where Id find the hours in the day to deal with it. Just 42 per cent planned expansion. A fit and proper Health and Safety audit will cover things such as site security, electrical and physical safety, identify trip and slip hazards, water management, work equipment, fire precautions, asbestos management and vehicle facilitation. When I arrived at the school in 2006, it was in the social care directorate rather than education, so the interaction with the local authority (LA) was negligible. The beginning of March this year saw the Government announce that by 2025 they want to see far more schools residing in strong families, therefore effectively supporting the accelerated growth of Multi Academy Trusts (MATs). Expansion and failure Despite the government's drive to encourage all schools to be part of a MAT, there have been numerous high-profile failures of such organisations. Kim Johnson is principal of Bradfields Academy, a special school in Kent, which became an academy in 2014. Couple this with the Governments Brexit drive and it becomes clear why growth has been modest. We made sure that the staff, as well as parents and students, knew all the positives and negatives, so that they could make an informed decision. But your due diligence needs to extend beyond that. Multi-academy trusts in England: What drives them to grow? Researchers found that hard federations (where two or more schools operate under one governing body), had a positive impact on pupil results in both higher- and lower-performing schools. She is principal fellow of the Higher Education Academy, fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, and elected council member of the British Educational Leadership, Management and Administration Society. Discover Society. He warned significant upheaval could divert time and resources away from teaching. It shows theres not much difference between schools in Mats and schools in local authorities.. They should encompass accurate pupil projections and associated staffing structures to accommodate the pupil roll. The survey suggests MATs are keen to grow, though, with 57 per cent of multi-academy trustees and local governing body members saying their trusts planned to expand. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. It was a combination of local democrats, people who were interested about the colleges community identity, and some politicos who were anti-academy as it was perceived as a flagship Tory policy. But forced conversion remains controversial, with ongoing campaigns in places such as Peacehaven, East Sussex. During due diligence it is important that the process is undertaken not just by the MAT on the school, but also on the MAT by the school itself. But most are pretty average and dont make much difference. You have rejected additional cookies. We are halfway through the process, so were in the thick of it. Retrieved from https://discoversociety.org/2018/08/01/multi-academy-trusts-in-england-are-they-really-accountable/. Multi-Academy Trusts - Do your due diligence when growing your MAT There are, however, other factors within our control which need addressing to further facilitate the speed of MAT growth. Reaction to the governments announcement in its education white paper that all schools in England must become academies is remarkably muted. A Public Accounts Committeereport this summer said that local authorities ability to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, including their duty to provide school places, was undermined in areas where a high proportion of schools have become academies. Theres a lot of data out there now such as Mat data from the Department of Education. The Guardian view on multi-academy trusts: one direction As mentioned earlier, the due diligence process is designed to look at compatibility, not suitability. schools rated as requiresimprovement by Ofsted in three consecutive inspections to be turned into academies. It is not just about whether the MAT wants to take on a school. Operational drivers, such as the need to combine to cost effectively buy in services once provided by LEAs, along with research that implies that schools grouping together contribute positively to student progress, have resulted in academy chains, MATs and other less formal forms of collaboration such as federations (Baxter, 2018). There is no good reason to think that they will succeed. Last time this was tried, in 2016, ministers were. Multi-academy trusts: building a legacy. the most obvious, but often the most overlooked! 2. George, M. (2018, July 19). Multi-academy trusts (MATs): pros and cons | GovernorHub Knowledge If the academies programme is making your head spin, youre not alone. School leadership teams and governors must be convinced that they are joining the right multi-academy trust. Yet numerous high-profile failures indicate that they present a substantial challenge in terms of leadership and governance. Mats must have a track record of improving schools before theyre given any more schools to improve.. There are several factors which both the MAT and school should consider before progressing. But the largest trusts were the most lukewarm about growth, despite reporting most pressure to from government officials. The staff have a sense of ownership and investment now they feel that theyre working for Bradfields, not the LA. Because of increased participation, and younger entry age, in organized sports, appropriate practice, game schedules, and content become more important, taking into account athlete developmental stage and skills. But when it comes to real-life situations, such as the case of an excluded child that a council wants to place in a particular school, it is far from clear that said council will be granted the power to override a trusts objections. One key factor is the availability of valuable information and guidance for MAT and school leaders to deliver sustainable growth. The experience of recent years shows that the fragmentation of the system has led to worse outcomes for some of the most vulnerable children, including through off-rolling, when pupils leave a school without a formal exclusion. These are often overlooked but can prove very costly: 1. This funded research draws on 30 interviews with school leaders and trustees from six MATs and 10 interviews with national leaders of governance to examine why MATs expand in size and geographical range. NGA members also report growing appreciation of their own MATs during the pandemic. The trust I am so fortunate to lead consists of schools that have proactively chosen to come together because they fundamentally believe in the same aspirations for the children in our collective charge. Mr Williamson said that schools could try before they buy through a new process in which they form temporary partnerships with multi-academy trusts in order to see the benefits. What's more, these school leaders sought to enter a permanent partnership, one in which they could . Similarly, the test of a commitment to enable individual schools to jump from one Mat to another will be in the small print. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. 5. An investigation into multi-academy trusts: how their central vision and approaches influence day-to-day practice in schools, and to what extent they are having a positive or otherwise impact.