Local Authority MATs

The recent education White Paper gives LAs the option of setting up their own MATs - will this be just like the current Local Authority?


The White Paper states 'Local authorities will be able to establish new multi academy trusts where too few strong trusts exist, enabling high performing schools with a track record of local partnership to formalise their relationships and add expertise and capacity to the trust system.'


This statement contains some clear messages. Firstly LA MATs will only be able to establish MATs where there is not the capacity in storng trusts to take more schools. The focus will also be on the high performing schools to set up the MATs, with LA support. But these schools must have significant experience of supporting other schools.


The White Paper continues 'These trusts will be regulated in the same way as any other trusts, and we will ensure that safeguards are in place to effectively manage any potential for conflicts of interest both for the trust and the local authority – including limits on local authority involvement on the trust board.'


This confirms that the LA will have a role in setting up the MAT but will have limited powers, ie, being a small percentage of the Trust Board. The statement also makes clear that there needs to be a separation between the statutory duties of the LA and their role in these MATs. Therefore these LA MATs will be completely different to the current system.


The White Paper also states 'We will carefully monitor the size of new trusts and never expect a trust to expand before it is ready. While there will be no maximum size of trust, we will limit the proportion of schools in local area that can be run by an individual trust.' This effectively rules out the potential of the LA creating one MAT for all schools to join. It should also be noted that allowing MATs to grow is dependent on proved success therefore growth os a MAT takes several years. This means that LAs would need to discussing and planning potential a number of potential MATs within the immediate future. Indeed some LAs such as West Sussex and West Berkshire, where there are very low academisation rates (less than 15%), are discussing this now.


With the move to full academisation by 2030 it is clear that the LA's function will focus on their statutory responsibilities. We must have an integrated system of education where the LA and MATs work in a spirit of partnership to ensure the best for the pupils and students in the county. Suffolk have always had a positive relationship with their MATs and there are numerous pieces of work taking place to scope the future relationship. I believe that Suffolk is leading the way on developing a fully integrated system and this is essential for all of our children.

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