MAT mergers: A guide for academy trust leaders and trustees
While Labour hasn't said a great deal about academisation generally, school leaders will have seen recent press coverage relating to some large multi-academy trust (MATs) merging.
The mergers of Reach South/Transforming Futures, Futura Learning Partnership/Olympus Academy Trust and Compass Partnership of Schools/Eko Trust reported during the summer are all positive news stories in terms of growth. These mergers will create significant organisations in terms of pupil numbers, staffing and turnover.
These are the latest in a string of the Department for Education (DfE) approvals for mergers and it’s noteworthy to mark the sector’s appetite to create larger MATs, given there has been little pressure from Labour and the DfE. This perhaps is a clear indication of system leadership and the sector itself leading the direction of travel.
Often the strategic force and vision for trust mergers is to create a cohesive, high performing trust whilst ensuring long-term sustainability and growth in line with the merged organisation’s educational values.
Browne Jacobson and NGA guidance for trusts
Browne Jacobson has worked in collaboration with the National Governance Association (NGA) to publish guidance for the sector.
This provides academy trust leaders and trustees who might be considering or already involved in merger discussions with an essential resource, including:
- an overview of mergers;
- how to approach a merger and;
- the processes involved.
The guide has been written for academy trusts interested in embarking on a merger journey and also details:
- The steps that can be taken to ensure a successful project.
- The importance of a shared understanding between trustees and trust leaders in relation to the merger process and what’s involved.
- How to support an effective integration on completion of the merger.
Contact
Lydia Michaelson-Yeates
Partner
lydia.michaelson-yeates@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)121 237 3986
Related expertise
You may be interested in...
The schools white paper is out – how #EdCon2026 will help you
Why MATs are choosing to grow – and top tips to make it work
MAT mergers: A guide for academy trust leaders and trustees
Browne Jacobson’s School Leaders Survey illustrates concerns over financial resilience ahead of spending review
The rise in schools-based nurseries and the practicalities for growing trusts
EdCon 2025: Top five takeaways
Handling parent complaints against staff: Panel discussion
School leaders survey Summer 2023 – the results are in
FAQs – academy re-brokerage
#EdCon2023 virtual event hailed a success
FAQs - becoming a sponsored academy
FAQs - becoming an academy sponsor
Virtual AGMs
Setting up a trading subsidiary – a guide for academy trusts
We’re pleased to collaborate with Lloyds Bank, who recently asked us and audit and risk specialists Crowe UK to offer guidance that academy trusts would find helpful when considering setting up a trading subsidiary.
Law firm picks up record breaking sixth Education Investor Award
Browne Jacobson’s education team has been named as winner of the ‘Legal Advisors to Education Institutions’ category at the Education Investor Awards 2022 for a record sixth time.
Thousands take part in virtual careers event to help increase diversity in the legal profession
Over 3000 young people from across the UK and Ireland took part in a virtual legal careers insight event, aimed at making the legal profession more diverse.
Schools Bill and intervention powers - an update
We provide an update on the Schools Bill proposed legislation & it's impact on academy trusts.
It's time for education to embrace flexible working
If NHS staff can request a flexible approach to working patterns then the sector needs to get serious about what it can offer staff, too, if it is to avoid further strain on recruitment and retention.
Taking the next step – forming or joining a multi academy trust
Implementing school system reform – next steps
Following its publication of the White Paper at the end of March, the Department for Education (DfE) has shared an implementation framework focusing on its plans for “a stronger and fairer school system”.
Academy Intervention Powers
Part 1 of the Schools Bill introduces statutory rights designed to ensure that the Secretary of State has efficient oversight and is equipped to address “instances of failure” in academy trusts.
A Guide to the Schools Bill 2022
Browne Jacobson’s C-suite exec level coaching team appoints two new education specialists
National law firm Browne Jacobson has grown its team behind its dedicated Space + Time executive coaching programme with the addition of two more qualified coaches who will work with clients in the education sector.
Families of Schools – Where are we with the DfE Messaging?
In the intervening years we have seen the actual number of schools converting to academy status over the past few years has gone up and down in a succession of waves.
Browne Jacobson hosts UK’s largest virtual legal careers event to boost access to careers in law
New benchmarking service now available to guide the remuneration of school trust executive teams
The Confederation of School Trusts (CST), as the sector body for School Trusts, today releases a salary benchmarking service for executive roles in School Trusts, in conjunction with partners XpertHR, Cendex and Browne Jacobson.
Successful challenge to Secretary of State’s refusal to revoke directive academy order
Our client, Yew Tree Primary School, challenged the Secretary of State for Education’s (SSE) decision not to revoke a directive Academy Order.
A policy in the sun
As we approach the end of a particularly turbulent academic year, finding the time, energy and buy-in to review school policies may seem less likely than finding a holiday cottage in Cornwall for mid-August.
be connected newsletter for education - July 2021
In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the sector.
What does the DfE guidance ‘Building Stronger Trusts’ mean for you?
It depends on whether you are local authority maintained or single academy trust, underperforming, Church of England or Catholic or an MAT.
Grades without exams - FAQs
In the absence of exams, the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofqual have confirmed that the 2021 GCSE, AS and A level and vocational and technical qualification grades will be determined by centre assessment.
be connected newsletter for education - March 2021
In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the sector.
be connected newsletter for education - September 2020
In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the sector.
New year, new Academies Financial Handbook
On 1 September 2020, the latest iteration of the Academies Financial Handbook (AFH) came into force.
Members of academy trusts have fiduciary duties
We are increasingly asked are there any limits on how members can exercise their powers.
be connected newsletter for education - December 2019
In this edition we provide you with the latest in legal updates, news and insight from the sector.
Horizon scanning
In the first of what we hope will become a regular feature in Be Connected, Nick MacKenzie reviews what’s on the horizon for the education sector and briefly shares with you a number of themes.
Welcome news for sixth form colleges looking to academise
The Government has accepted calls from sixth form colleges to reopen the option to become academies.
New Academies Financial Handbook focuses on strengthening governance and compliance
The new Academies Financial Handbook for 2019 has been released to come into effect from 1 September 2019.
Engagement between schools and business is vital
A healthy education system is necessary for a healthy economy and labour market. The current funding challenges faced by the education sector is therefore of vital importance to everyone.