1. Nick MacKenzie, Partner, Browne Jacobson LLP
Webinar
MAT myth-busting: advantages and disadvantages
Nick MacKenzie, Partner, Browne Jacobson LLP
Download this presentation from: oego.co/MATMythbusting

2. What we will cover The landscape now and the future
Key MAT characteristics and considerations
Advantages and disadvantages
Myth-busting
Approach to joining a MAT

3. The landscape Education & Adoption Act 2016 White Paper & Green Paper
Increase in powers of Regional School Commissioners
Increase in multi-academy trusts (MATs) and growth within MATs
Change in role and remit of Ofsted?

4. The ‘Carter Plan’
Additionally new hierarchical system of academy chains:
‘Starter Trusts’ – up to 5 schools/up to 1,200 pupils in one LA & one region
‘Established Trusts’ – between 5 – 15 schools/up to 5k pupils in a single region
‘National Trusts’ – schools/10-12k pupils across more than one region
‘System Trusts’ – 30 plus schools/12k pupils+ across a number of regions (3 or more)
New rigour to be brought to the expansion of MATs including new assessments to be introduced to reach the next tier

5. MAT advantages?

6. MAT disadvantages?

7. MAT characteristics Members LGB LGB Principal Principal
Board of governors/
Directors / Trustees
LGB
LGB
Principal
Principal

8. Key questions on structure
What approach will you take to:
ensure effective accountability in the governance structure while providing for local autonomy?
2. ensure effective accountability in the leadership structure while providing for local autonomy?

9. Members Trust level Board of Trustees School Level Multi-academy trust
Members – appoint & remove trustees
Board of Trustees – approve accounts, MFA, employ staff, hold land & overall responsibility
Academy - SFA, oversight of educational standards at local level
Trust level
Board of Trustees
Academy 1
Academy 2
Academy 3
Academy 4
School
Level
LGB
LGB
LGB
LGB

10. Characteristics of a MAT
One legal entity
One employer
Equally responsible for all schools
Usual to have LGBs
Funded on individual academy basis
Can amalgamate proportion of GAG funding
Must have due regard to needs and allocations
Inspected as individual academies
Each academy’s grade will not directly affect another’s
May be focussed MAT inspections
Governance
Finance
Ofsted

11. Leadership models – Exec Head, pure model
Executive Head/ Principal
Head of School
School A
School B
School C

12. Leadership models – Exec Head, mixed model
Executive Head/ Principal
Headteacher
School A
School B
School C

13. Leadership models – CEO model

14. # myth 1
All MATs are the same

15. MATs are a ‘safe harbour’
# myth 2
MATs are a ‘safe harbour’

16. Borrow the scheme of delegation from elsewhere
# myth 3
Borrow the scheme of delegation from elsewhere

17. Due diligence is just about compliance
# myth 4
Due diligence is just about compliance

18. Approach to joining (1) Key considerations:
What are your main reasons for wanting to join a MAT?
Is there an obvious first choice?
What are your non-negotiables?
How do you want (and need) to be supported and challenged?

19. Approach to joining (2) First steps:
Start a conversation with the MAT(s) you are interested in
Talk to any bodies with authority over your school

20. Establishing or Joining Multi-Academy Trusts conference
London 15th November 2016 and Yorkshire 21 February
Attend this national event for legal and practical information on the process of joining or forming a MAT and factual, unbiased guidance on the different models available.
Develop your roadmap for joining or forming a MAT, retain your school's identity and understand the pros and cons of different models for an efficient transition.
Head to my.optimus-education.com/conferences/mat-formation for more details.

21. Contact
Nick MacKenzie | |
@_EducationLaw
visit our education
Please note
The information contained in these notes is based on the position as at 20 October It does, of course, only represent a summary of the subject matter covered and is not intended to be a substitute for detailed advice. If you would like to discuss any of the matters covered in further detail, our team would be happy to do so.
© Browne Jacobson LLP Browne Jacobson LLP is a limited liability partnership.

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