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

Wednesday

17th Jun 2026

Trusts ‘left in limbo’ over delayed budget guidance
Academy trusts are being left with less time to finalise and scrutinise their budgets because key DfE documents remain unpublished, experts warn
Trusts ‘left in limbo’ over delayed budget documents
Exclusive

Friday

12th Jun 2026

King’s Birthday Honours: heads and MAT leaders recognised
Multi-academy trust CEOs and headteachers are among many education figures included in the King’s Birthday Honours list
King's Birthday Honours
Revealed: the widening gender gap in MAT CEO pay
There has been a sharp rise in the salary gap between male and female leaders of the 100 biggest academy trusts, Tes analysis reveals
Gap in stepping stones
Exclusive
Eastern trusts plan 42-school merged MAT
The Inspiring Futures through Learning trust and Chiltern Learning Trust hope to merge next year if their plan gets DfE approval
Merging zipper
Exclusive

Wednesday

10th Jun 2026

ASCL to create ‘safe space’ for trust CEOs to ‘amplify’ their voice
New network aims to make government more aware of the challenges being faced by academy trust leaders
voice microphones

Tuesday

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