What To Consider When Expanding Your MAT
What To Consider When Expanding Your MAT
The Government’s recent white paper on schools and education emphasised the need for strong schools and teachers to give children the best possible start in life, whether that’s onwards to further and higher education, apprenticeships, or a career.
Multi-Academy Trust mergers have significantly increased in recent times, and if you’re looking at growing your Trust, then to follow on from the white paper, you will want to ensure that current member schools and potential new partner schools are stronger for the merger and that both pupils and staff are not neglected during the transition period.
We have a look at some considerations to keep in mind when looking at Trust growth, from making sure that your Trust is an attractive proposition for potential partners to maintaining transparency with members and colleagues to minimise disruption and confusion.
Marketing your MAT
Competition in the education sector is fierce, and it’s pretty much a buyer’s market, meaning that you must make sure that your Trust is marketed to ensure it stands out from the crowd.
Every MAT will have its own unique character, and it is essential that you define and clearly communicate what makes your Trust an attractive proposition. Think about what makes your Trust unique. How can you best showcase your brand?
What is the culture of your MAT, and what would it be like to be part of it? How do you want to impact the culture, policy, and leadership of potential partners, and what can you offer them? You must communicate with honesty and integrity to ensure a successful merger and long term partnership.
Demonstrate to potential partners the many benefits of merging with your MAT by showing how the Trust can support the school, and what they will receive from their contribution, for instance, gaining from the reputation you have built for your brand, and shared resources, such as branding, marketing, and centralised communication.
You should never judge a book by its cover, they say, but few people will want to become part of a trust that does not present an attractive and professional appearance from the outside, regardless of what it may be between the covers.
Revisit your branding, and check that it presents a professional and high-quality message across all of your assets, from marketing materials and presentations to logos and websites. Make it a book that not only will potential partners want to take a closer look at, but read from cover to cover, not just the blurb on the back.
However, keep in mind that you have the ‘story’ to back up the fancy branding on the cover. It is essential that you detail the evidence that backs up the work you have put into the marketing. Include detailed case studies about the performance of your MAT, and how it has improved on key performance indicators.
The culture you have fostered for your MAT is an important factor. Make sure you highlight the shared goals and vision of your member schools that not only show the success of member schools but for the trust as a whole.
You will want to demonstrate how the vision of the MAT is shared by all members, from senior management to support staff, and that everyone understands the goals set by the Trust, and how they relate to the MAT’s vision. Clearly and effectively define and communicate your culture!
Transparency and communication
Effective communication is the key to any successful organisation, especially when recruiting new partners. It is an essential component of ensuring the overall success and growth of your trust, as well as the key to ensuring a successful merger and transition.
Communication needs to be one of the first and most important considerations when recruiting potential partners, as well as during any merger. Let’s have a look at some points to bear in mind when developing your communications plan.
At Glove, we strongly advise that there is an ‘open door’ communication policy and that all trust members and employees are kept in the loop about what is happening, when it is happening, and also why. It is vital that employees hear it first from the trust before hearing about it elsewhere.
Transparency in your communications means that you are avoiding misunderstandings, confusion, and anxiety as a result of the ‘rumour mill’ during any merger. Staff that are kept well informed and able to ask questions will feel reassured and comfortable during the merger process.
Clearly communicate the details of the merger, including timelines, information about the trusts, potential partners, and how the merger will be moving forward.
It is a good idea to communicate the reasons for the merger, and what the benefits will be to all parties, from shared good practice, opportunities arising from collaboration, and shared planning and resources. This could include enhancing teachers’ skills and developing mentoring programmes to improve teaching and learning.
Without a doubt, there will be many questions from staff about any changes that could affect them, so try to address any anticipated questions and provide as much reassurance as possible. Be sure to maintain transparency about how the merger will bring changes and impact how the Trust operates.
Develop a knowledge base, preferably within the HR department, where further enquiries and questions can be directed. Encourage a policy where questions can be asked to maintain transparency so that staff feel valued and their concerns are heard.
The merger of any trust, organisation, or business will always bring change, and even while it will be for the greater good, it will undoubtedly leave staff feeling anxious about how they will be impacted.
By developing an effective communications plan, you will not only help ease any concerns but also demonstrate to potential partners the culture and relationship the Trust has developed with its employees. A robust plan can reinforce the positive aspects of the merger to all, and help quickly dispel any potentially harmful rumours that could damage the Trust or the merger.
Poor communications will only lead to distrust and time-wasting due to damage control, but will also impact the performance and motivation of employees.
If you’re looking for help with your MAT internal communications, then come and talk to our experts at Glove. Better still, Glove will be exhibiting at CST's Annual Conference in Birmingham.
With a jam-packed programme of keynotes and workshops with education sector leaders and an exhibition with the latest providers of innovative services, CST's Annual Conference is the only event for executive and governance leaders of School Trusts.
We'll be sending regular updates counting down to the conference, so keep an eye on your emails and our socials over the coming weeks.
Are you attending? Fancy a chat with one of our team? We would be delighted to meet you!
For more information on the event visit:https://lnkd.in/erCF5eba
For more information on Glove visit: www.gloveconsulting.co.uk