Work with us
If you are looking to strengthen how your multi academy trust operates and improve education across your schools, we would welcome a conversation
We support every aspect of how a multi-academy trust operates, from governance, financial oversight and compliance through to leadership, school improvement and outcomes across all schools.
Multi-academy trusts operate within the framework set out in the Academy Trust Handbook, which defines expectations for health and safety, GDPR, financial regulation, internal audits, complaint management, cyber security - the list of non-negotiable requirements is extensive. These requirements are essential, but they do not operate in isolation.
The real challenge for MAT leaders is how to use this framework as a foundation for delivering high-quality education and sustained improvement across every school.
Reduce risk and strengthen MAT compliance
At HFL Education, our focus is on ensuring compliance frameworks actively support leadership, rather than operate as isolated requirements, by supporting trusts to:
- Align fully with the Academy Trust Handbook
- Prepare for internal and external audits
- Strengthen financial controls and accountability
- Embed GDPR, safeguarding and cyber security practices
- Improve complaint handling and risk management processes
Support excellence across multi-academy trusts
Excellence across a multi-academy trust is not delivered through isolated initiatives. It is achieved through consistency in leadership, teaching, curriculum and expectations across all schools.
Working in partnership with multi-academy trusts
We have been working with multi-academy trusts for over 10 years, supporting leaders across a wide range of contexts, sizes and stages of development.
Under the guidance of our Chief Executive, Carole Bennett, who joined us from a multi-academy trust, we continue to strengthen our offer by bringing in professionals with direct trust experience and understanding of:
- MAT operations and governance
- Regulatory and compliance requirements
- School improvement at scale
Trusted by over 150+ multi-academy trusts, we deliver support that is practical, strategic and results driven.
Our Approach
We recognise that no two trusts are the same, and our approach reflects that - working in partnership with each trust to provide support that is tailored, practical and aligned to your priorities.
An experienced member of the HFL team will work with you to identify priorities, challenges and areas where support will have the greatest impact.
We then connect you with specialist experts across education and business functions, ensuring support is aligned across the full operation of the trust.
A complete offer for multi-academy trusts
We provide support across all areas of trust activity, including:
- Teaching and learning
- Leadership and governance
- Business services and operational support
Our focus is on ensuring these areas work together effectively, so that trusts can operate with clarity, consistency and confidence.
Working with the HFL HR Business Partnering service has provided essential support to our Trust during a period of growth and change. The advice, guidance and expertise has been invaluable, and has played an important role in setting the Trust up for success as we develop and deliver our people and culture strategy.
Jo Stokes, Director of People, ASCAT
Working with HFL to support the development of our subject networks has been an incredibly positive experience for Spiral. The partnership has enabled our leaders to reflect, grow and enhance their skills. It has reinforced our dedication to providing the highest standards of education through collaboration, innovation and strong relationships.
Alex Lindley, Executive Headteacher, Spiral Partnership Trust
Our Trust is benefiting from working closely with HFL Contract Services team to support and help manage all our contract requirements across many different areas. They respond quickly to all enquiries and seek answers from the respective departments within HFL. Our contract manager is supportive and helpful and keeps in touch regularly. The termly contract review meetings are especially beneficial as these provide current updates, help clear up queries and prompt discussion around specific items of interest. I highly recommend HFL contract services.
Executive Head & CEO, Chess Valley Primary Learning Trust
Trust Leaders Forum for MATs and SATs - quarterly meetings of local trust CEOs and leaders
Our Trust Leaders Forum gives CEOs and senior leaders the opportunity to meet quarterly to discuss shared challenges, policy developments and priorities across the sector.
These sessions provide a space to exchange insight, test ideas and learn from one another’s experience. Each meeting focuses on the practical issues facing trusts, supported by expert speakers and open discussion.
Some of our previous speakers have included:
- Leora Cruddas, Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts
- Dame Alison Peacock, Chartered College of Teaching
- Jonathan Duff, Regional Director
- Dame Rachel de Souza, Children’s Commissioner
The Trust Leaders' Forum is open to all MAT and SAT CEOs, so if you are interested in joining the group, please contact andrea.cowie@hfleducation.org.
Case studies
FAQs
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Common challenges include:
- Managing compliance without limiting school improvement
- Maintaining financial control across multiple academies
- Ensuring consistency in leadership and educational outcomes
- Preparing for audits and inspections
- Balancing operational demands with long-term strategy
Addressing these challenges requires an integrated approach across compliance, finance, governance and school improvement.
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As trusts expand, maintaining consistency becomes increasingly complex.
External partners can support by:
- Aligning leadership and governance structures
- Standardising processes across schools
- Embedding trust-wide approaches to teaching and learning
- Supporting data-informed decision-making
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Improving performance across MATs requires a consistent approach to leadership, curriculum and teaching.
This often includes:
- Shared teaching and learning frameworks
- Trust-wide expectations and standards
- Strong leadership development
- Use of performance data to guide improvement
- Consistency across schools is key to sustained improvement.
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A strong MAT support partner should bring more than just technical knowledge; they need to understand how trusts actually operate day to day. Look for a team with proven experience working alongside multi academy trusts, not just advising from the outside. They should have a solid grasp of regulatory requirements but also know how to apply them in a way that supports leadership rather than adding unnecessary complexity.
It’s also important that they can offer joined-up support across areas like compliance, governance, finance and school improvement. These functions don’t sit in isolation, and your support partner should recognise how they connect.
Finally, look for a partner who takes a practical, collaborative approach, someone who works with you to solve real challenges, not just deliver generic recommendations.
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