ASCL: Early signs suggest significant benefits in schools joining forces

The House of Commons Education Committee has today (Tuesday 28 February) published a report on multi-academy trusts (MATs).

Malcolm Trobe, Interim General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The growing number of MATs is part of a developing system and there are challenges which need to be addressed. However, the early signs we are seeing suggest that there are significant benefits in schools collaborating either through MATs or federations of maintained schools.

“Partnerships, for instance, can be effective in helping to alleviate some of the impact of the national teacher recruitment crisis. They allow schools to join together to train teachers and to share specialist teachers in subjects in which there are severe shortages. They can also be effective in sharing expertise and experience to create programmes of professional learning for teachers as well as succession planning for leadership posts.

“The Education Committee’s report is helpful as it identifies the areas where performance and accountability could be improved. We particularly welcome its recommendation that the government commission and publish independent research on the structures and practices of the highest performing MATs.”