9 Accepted

MATs are not restricted to a geographical region.

Conclusion
MATs are not restricted to a geographical region. For example, the largest MAT, the United Learning Trust, is responsible for 76 academy schools spread across England.19 The Department informed us that there was a weighting towards geography when making decisions on the conversion of maintained schools to academies and that it would much rather see a local trust take on a school that needs a sponsor, but noted that some trusts performed well across a wide geographical area. The Department told us that while it would look first at trusts nearby or within a reasonable travelling distance, this was not the only factor, especially where schools had “particular needs and would benefit from trusts with particular experiences”. For example, it was aware that in some areas there were challenges in school performance but also limited numbers of good-quality trusts, which could therefore direct decisions on geographical spread of MATs. It explained that it could also consider whether to starts a “new geographical cluster” that it could build over time.20
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the implicit recommendation on multi-academy trust (MAT) strategy, outlining plans from the Schools White Paper to achieve a fully trust-led system by 2030. This includes new regulatory approaches, defining strong trusts, and investing £86 million to build trust capacity in Education Investment Areas.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government Accepted
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2022 1.2 The Department for Education (the department) published the Schools White Paper, Opportunity for all, on 28 March 2022. The fourth chapter sets out a clear timeframe to achieve a fully trust-led system, with all schools to be in or joining a strong multi-academy trust (MAT) by 2030. 1.3 This will be achieved through growth of strong trusts and the establishment of new ones, including trusts established by local authorities (LAs). The department will take a single regulatory approach, launching a regulatory review in May 2022 and, for the first time, setting out the definition of a strong trust. The success of MATs in delivering against the definition of a strong trust as set out in the Schools White Paper will be the basis for transparent assessments of their potential for growth. 1.4 The department will set out plans which will provide further detail on the pathway to a fully trust-led system, after further engagement with the sector. 1.5 The department is working with Falcon Education Academies Trust and St Joseph’s Catholic MAT to pilot a new approach for schools that, for various reasons, cannot be placed with a strong MAT sponsor. The White Paper sets out policies to remove barriers that are preventing schools from benefiting from the support of a strong trust. LAs will be able to establish new strong trusts, and church and faith schools will have their unique ethos protected as they join or form trusts. Regional Directors will engage local partners to determine the best way to develop a strong trust landscape that suits their area – investing up to £86 million over the next three areas in building trust capacity, focused particularly in Education Investment Areas.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 4.3 yrs
Report published 25 Mar 2022