MAT Tracker

A tool tracking the growth of multi-academy trusts in England – with deep-dive analysis of MAT data and essential guides to key aspects of the trust system

Today

9th Jun 2026

Headteachers don’t just need support - they need a better system
From standards and outcomes to SEND, safeguarding, attendance and staff wellbeing, heads are under ever-increasing pressure, and they can’t handle it alone, says this leader
Rock climber

Friday

5th Jun 2026

Trusts with higher disadvantage and SEND face 75% bigger deficits
Tes analysis sparks calls for reform of funding and accountability systems to better support academy trusts with high numbers of vulnerable pupils
High-needs trusts face deeper per-pupil deficits, data shows

Tuesday

2nd Jun 2026

Catholic MAT to grow by 50% as mergers gather pace
The trust will take on 10 new schools if plans are approved this month, amid a wider consolidation of Catholic academies
Catholic MAT to take on 10 schools

Friday

15th May 2026

All schools convert in England’s first fully-academised area
The shift to a fully-academised system brings opportunities for collaboration but may also leave councils struggling with their statutory duties, say leaders
Portishead

Thursday

14th May 2026

The White Horse Federation to take on 10 schools
Move comes as 11 more mergers are tabled for DfE approval, amid concern that small trusts are being ‘squeezed’ to merge with bigger ones
White Horse Federation to take on 10 schools

Thursday

7th May 2026

Weak governance flagged as threat to MAT expansion
Less than half of governors think their school’s resources, including reserves, should be shared across their trust, finds National Governance Association
Weak governance threatens MAT expansion
Exclusive

Tuesday

5th May 2026

Lucy Heller to leave Ark Schools after 22 years
Ms Heller joined in 2004 as the founding director of the academy trust and was appointed chief executive 14 years ago
Lucy Heller

Thursday

30th Apr 2026

Trusts’ self-generated income rises 25% to £366m
Academy trusts are raising more cash themselves, but there are concerns over growing disparities in the sector
Missing out on pizza

Monday

27th Apr 2026

7 key findings from annual academy trust accounts report
The DfE’s sector-wide report and accounts show deficits rising, higher staff costs and millions of pounds of extra financial support
Academy accounts 2023-24: Seven key findings

Wednesday

22nd Apr 2026

McVittie review: No evidence of antisemitism at Bristol Brunel Academy
Independent review finds that lobbying groups did not influence the school or trust in the decision to postpone a Jewish MP’s visit last year
McVittie review: No evidence of antisemitism at Bristol Brunel Academy
Why we completely redesigned our trust’s Sendco model
One MAT chief executive explains how his trust has moved away from having one Sendco per school to a system that allows knowledge to be shared more widely
Primary children at a desk

Tuesday

21st Apr 2026

Oasis and Big Education to merge from September
The joining of the two trusts will make Oasis the sixth-largest multi-academy trust in England, after taking on Big Education’s three schools
Oasis and Big Education to merge from September