You have the vision for your multi-academy trust. We have the expertise. From onboarding schools to centralising services, our experienced professionals work shoulder-to-shoulder with your trust to deliver success.
No two multi-academy trusts (MATs) are the same with a rich variety in context, size, evolution, people capacity and capability. There are common factors - all MATs operate within a structured and highly regulated framework, striving to meet all the different requirements set out in the Academy Trust Handbook. Health and safety, GDPR, financial regulation, internal audits, complaint management, cyber security - the list of non-negotiable requirements is extensive.
But does ticking all these compliance boxes lay the groundwork for excellence in education? Can it help trusts to develop a reputation for the quality of the education they provide to children and young people?
The answer is complex, but at HFL we believe that compliance can correlate to educational excellence and better outcomes for children. Robust policies, practices and accountability coupled with great leadership, create the conditions and the space needed to work on excellence.
How we help support multi-academy trusts to deliver both compliance and excellence
We’ve been working with multi-academy trusts (MATs) for over 10 years. We’ve learned there’s no one-size-fits-all approach for trusts, and we are committed to working in partnership with each trust to deliver the unique package of support they need to flourish.
Under the guidance of our Chief Executive - who joined us from a multi-academy trust, we continue to apply our knowledge and expertise to MATs, offering everything you need, in one place. In fact, we’ve brought in lots of new professionals with academy trust experience to boost our offer.
The journey starts with a meeting with one of our experienced leaders, who will take the time to understand the complexities and challenges of your trust and identify strategic priority areas where you can make improvements.
We’ll then introduce you to specialist subject and education business experts from around HFL who can help you deliver the solid foundations of compliance while growing educational excellence to ensure each and every child has a great education.
We can help by delivering a holistic view across a broad range of services from teaching and learning and leadership, to business services and support. Contact us to discuss your needs and let us put together the right solution for your trust.
Compliance
Excellence
Why choose our multi-academy trust services?
Over 10 years’ experience of supporting MATs
With over 10 years’ experience of empowering academy trusts with specialist skills and services, we recognise the diversity of experience, ethos and strategic ambition within MATs.
We tailor our services to your needs
We tailor our services on the individual needs of the schools within a MAT, and through a combination of challenge and support, we will work together with you to ensure every school is able to sustain improvement.
Our experience of MATs is wide ranging
Our experience ranges from assisting newly formed academy trusts through to well-established trusts where we provide critical friend external assurance and audit support. Many of our teams have worked inside, and alongside, multi-academy trusts and have a strong track of school turnaround and rapid improvement.
We can partner with you
We can partner with your trust leaders and teams to ensure your resources across teaching and leadership, finance, HR, business management, governance and technology are effectively planned, utilised to best effect and sustainable.
Our team consists of experienced professionals
Our team consists of senior, experienced professionals with the capability to work alongside trust leadership teams to influence, steer and implement solutions that achieve your strategic aims.
Case study: Harbour Learning Trust
Harbour Learning Trust needed a new, cost-effective MIS solution for their schools, along with ongoing support for staff during the migration process. They turned to us for help.
Our Solution: We provided our MAT-focused framework, a structured approach to procuring and implementing MIS solutions, ensuring seamless integration and continuous support.
Trust Leaders' Forum - Join us for quarterly meetings of local trust CEOs and leaders
This collaborative network brings together trust leaders to discuss key areas of policy, support each other and share best practice. We host expert speakers to prompt debate and reflect on topical themes and challenges.
In recent meetings we have discussed the increase in complaints and explored effective local strategies for addressing them, MATSEs, working with Teaching School Hubs and trust growth. Leora Cruddas, CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) talked to us about the changing MAT landscape.
Upcoming speakers for the next academic year include Dame Alison Peacock (Chartered College), Jonathan Duff (Regional Director), and Dame Rachel de Souza (Children's Commissioner).
The Trust Leaders' Forum is open to all MAT and SAT CEOs, so if you are interested in joining the group, please contact Andrea.Cowie@hfleducation.org
Read our blog
MAT growth for some trusts is essential for them to remain financially stable, but it’s not easy. We asked our CEO, Carole Bennett, who was CEO of a growing Church school trust about her experience and what she learnt along the way. Notes on a Small Island Trust (with apologies to Bill Bryson)
Our Trust is benefiting from working closely with HFL Contract Services team to support and help manage all our contract requirements across many different areas. They respond quickly to all enquiries and seek answers from the respective departments within HFL. Our contract manager is supportive and helpful and keeps in touch regularly. The termly contract review meetings are especially beneficial as these provide current updates, help clear up queries and prompt discussion around specific items of interest. I highly recommend HFL contract services.
Executive Head & CEO, Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust
Working with the HFL HR Business Partnering service has provided essential support to our Trust during a period of growth and change. The advice, guidance and expertise has been invaluable, and has played an important role in setting the Trust up for success as we develop and deliver our people and culture strategy.
Jo Stokes, Director of People, ASCAT
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