Information about Multi-Academy Trusts
Find out about multi-academy trusts and how we operate
What is a Multi-Academy Trust?
Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) are Academy Trusts that are able to operate two or more academies. They are established in order to operate independent, state funded schools and as such are free from Local Authority control. While subject to charity law, they are exempt charities whose Executive Headteacher Regulator is the Secretary of State for Education. S/he provides oversight and regulation through a range of statutory frameworks and provisions. The structure of Single Academy Trusts and Multi-Academy Trusts are broadly similar, but MATs’ additional provisions allow the Trust to delegate roles and responsibilities to local bodies overseeing the individual academies within the Trust. Our multi-academy trust is called Reach Schools.
What schools are part of Reach Schools?
The Reach Academy Trust currently includes Reach Academy Feltham, an all-through school serving pupils aged 2-18 which opened in 2012. Reach Academy Hanworth Park, another all-through school in Feltham, was approved in 2016 and is currently in the pre-opening stage.
Are there rules outlining how these schools must operate?
Academy Trusts are required to adopt a set of Articles of Association specifically tailored to the operation of Academies and to sign a Funding Agreement, setting out the conditions under which a Trust must operate its schools. In addition to this, the DfE and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) provide a range of statutory guidance to Trusts that they must comply with.
These include (but are not limited to):
- The Academies Financial Handbook: www.gov.uk/government/publications/academies-financial-handbook
- The Governance Handbook and Competency Framework: www.gov.uk/government/publications/governance-handbook
- The SEND Code of Practice: www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25
- School Admissions Code: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-admissions-code–2
The DfE’s publication Statutory Polices for Schools lists the polices and procedures Academy Trusts must have in place as a condition of their Funding Agreement.
Who oversees the trust?
The Trust (inline with other MATs) is governed by a number of constituent groups. These ensure effective and transparent oversight and consist of:
- Members – these are the “guardians” of Reach Academy Trust. They establish and oversee the effectiveness of the Trust Board. As such DfE describes their role as “eyes on, hand off” and are akin to shareholders within a Company limited by Guarantee.
- Trustees – who are appointed by Members to oversee the business of Reach Academy Trust, agreeing the overarching strategic direction and ensuring robust governance.
- Executive Team – who manage the day-to-day business of the Trust in line with policies approved by Trustees.
- Local Governing Bodies – these provide challenge and support to each academy’s leadership team as they implement policies and priorities.
- Academy Leadership Teams – these manage the day-to-day business of individual academies under the oversight of the Executive Team.
The Trust works with schools and trusts across the country to foster Cradle to Career partnerships and to offer a range of training and resources.
Meet our members and trustees…
Discover more of Reach Schools’ story…
Find out where it all began, how it’s going, and where we aim to be in the future.