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

Tuesday

4th Aug 2026

Catholic trusts plan expansion in the North West
Proposals come after the launch of the Archdiocese of Liverpool’s academisation strategy and amid wider consolidation of Catholic schools
Catholic trusts line up 14 school expansion

Thursday

30th Jul 2026

Big drop reported in grant funding for academy transfers
Government data shows a sharp dip in grant support for schools switching between academy trusts after DfE funding changes
Not enough to go around

Monday

20th Jul 2026

Pay MAT trustees to boost scrutiny, says Lift chair
In a Tes webinar exploring the role of chairs in academy trusts, the idea of paying trustees is proposed to improve accountability – but fears are raised over a new ‘drain’ on stretched budgets
There has been calls for MAT trustees to be paid to improve scrutiny and decision making.
Exclusive

Friday

17th Jul 2026

Revealed: Where heads’ pay soars above MAT salary limit
Experts warn the DfE plan to control trust chief executives’ pay could deter heads from becoming CEOs, and the £174K approval threshold could effectively become a pay ceiling
A man holding a ladder looks up to the next level that he must ascend to in order to eventually reach the top.
Exclusive

Thursday

16th Jul 2026

Revealed: The trusts DfE has questioned over CEO pay
Government publishes the names of academy trusts it has contacted to demand evidence over pay decisions
MAT CEO pay

Wednesday

15th Jul 2026

Academy Trust Handbook 2026: what’s new?
The DfE publishes its updated guidance for academy trusts – but gives trusts an extra month to implement the changes
Academy trust handbook 2026

Tuesday

14th Jul 2026

MAT to be broken up after behaviour policy backlash
Athena Learning Trust’s nine schools will transfer to other organisations after trustees acknowledge a ‘clear need for change’
Athena learning trust dissolved

Friday

10th Jul 2026

Ark announces new CEOs to replace Lucy Heller
Patrick Wall will lead the Ark Schools multi-academy trust and Katie Oliver will be CEO of the organisation’s charitable arm
New Art CEO

Thursday

2nd Jul 2026

6 lessons about being a MAT CEO I’ve learned in half a year
A leader who swapped international education to take the helm at a multi-academy trust reflects on the differences – and similarities – between the two roles
Holding dice with six

Wednesday

1st Jul 2026

How will the MAT CEO pay cap work?
Multi-academy trusts will need government approval before advertising chief executive salaries above £174,000, under plans announced today
How will the MAT CEO pay cap work?

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