Why should you convert your school to an academy?

Whilst the Government conversion grant has ended, becoming a valued member of a Multi Academy Trust (MAT) comes with many benefits including staff recruitment and management, budgeting and Ofsted framework and compliance. Although this is manageable as an individual school or Single Academy Trust (SAT), MATs are recognised by Regional Directors and the Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) for their effectiveness and success in supporting schools.

Which MAT is best for you?

We recommend beginning by researching MATs in your area. Consider your values and investigate which MAT’s values align with yours. It is also important to consider their track record with Ofsted, what they offer for resilience, and how they would enhance you as an individual school.

Your Reginal Director will also have a good insight as to which MAT is strong, viable and best suits you.

Early work before joining a MAT might include an NDA moving towards an MoU about the expected process and responsibilities.

What to do when you find a suitable MAT

We would advise setting up a meeting between the Head Teacher and CEO, and another between the Chair of Governors and the Chair of the Trust so that the benefits of both parties can be discussed.

It is crucial to remember that joining a trust is a permanent commitment and can only be dissolved by the Secretary of State.

If, after this point, both parties are keen to progress, the school and MAT could undertake a Due Diligence exercise, covering finance, standards, staffing, pupil projections, land and buildings, and compliance.

If you are a SAT or MAT that might benefit from merging with another MAT

The process is similar to the above.

• Research and identify a MAT that aligns with your values and culture and remember that a smaller MAT could be a better fit.
• Begin discussions about merging
• Complete any early work such as an NDA or an MoU
• For this process, you must consider the treatment of key individuals during the merging process, restructuring of central teams and trustees, staff terms and conditions, condition of the estate and operating systems.
• Again, your Regional Director may have some insight and advice as to which MATs are best for you.

How we can help

We are EBM, and we are committed to guiding and supporting you through the conversion process and ensure that you achieve academy status in a controlled manner.

We are happy to assist in the research of MATs in your area and act as a broker between you both.

We also undertake Due Diligence exercises for schools, SATs and MATs and will help you remain planned and co-ordinated throughout your conversion or merger process.

We also provide expert project management support, including:

Project Planning

• Briefing on the conversion process
• Identifying and planning for the tasks and key dependencies
• Identifying critical path activities to meet DfE deadlines.

Project Governance

• Establishing a project governance structure including setting up a Project Steering Group (PSG)
• Administration of PSG meetings, agendas and papers

Risks Management

• Developing an initial risk log
• RAG rating risks based on probability and impact
• Identify risk mitigation strategies

Task delivery

• Proactively managing tasks such as stakeholder consultation, TUPE, land transfer, finance and administration – against the plan
• Logging and chasing agreed actions
• Reviewing and updating risk logs
• Managing issues as they arise/trouble shooting

EBM – Our credentials

Our dedicated education business consultants have a track record of successfully delivering over 200 Academies over the last 15 years, many of them of a complex nature in short timescales.

Many of our consultants are School Governors and MAT Trustees as well, bringing a 360 degree perspective to our role.

EBM also has well developed links with the DfE in relation to MATs, Academies and Free Schools and a wide range of specialist expertise in Education, Finance, IT, Site management and Governance to call on as required.

If you’re still unsure as to why you should work alongside EBM…

• We offer a comprehensive project management service which can be tailored to your precise needs
• Our experienced PRINCE 2 project managers will work seamlessly with your team providing strategic and ‘hands-on’ support
• We are unique in combining project management with specialist financial support to your business manager or bursar.
• Our promise is to combine service excellence with affordability.