At the MATA MAT Growth Conference 2024 – New Government Expectations in London, where EPM proudly served as the strategic headline sponsor, we connected with over 50 MAT leaders. I was truly inspired by the forward-thinking work of trusts already leading transformative change with pupils at the core of their vision. Supporting this mission is what we’re all about, providing expert guidance that helps schools and trusts drive new initiatives that always prioritise pupils outcomes. Our people strategy work is central to this, and the event underscored the critical role people play in every trust’s success.
A people-first culture
The panel discussion set the tone for the day, sparking energy and a shared sense of purpose. This really set the scene for ‘what’s next’ and we heard collectively from Trust leaders that people must be at the heart of this transformation. A “people-first” culture, after all, is essential to success – the premise of our morning keynote session which provided a spotlight on People Strategy. Trust leaders emphasised the importance of engaging communities and elevating the collective voice from the ground up, ensuring actions align with the needs of staff, pupils, and wider community.
E-ACT’s launch of a carefully crafted People Strategy, built on eight pillars, perfectly illustrates this commitment. While reference was made to feeling like we’re “in the eye of the storm”, leaders agreed it’s now time to chart a course forward and focus on doing what’s right for your Trust and community. The strategies for growth discussed address some of the most pressing issues facing education today, including a renewed focus on supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds, addressing the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and navigating the complexities of a fragmented education system. These challenges require not just incremental improvements but bold, system-wide change, as echoed in the panel session.
Leadership in this high-stakes sector can be challenging. Leaders need support to drive necessary reforms. It’s no longer enough to "do well" on Ofsted scorecards; the wider system needs critical examination to better serve pupils, aligning Ofsted reform with other critical sector changes, such as curriculum review, for a cohesive education system.
Growing as a system-wide transformation
We heard that partnerships and collaboration are crucial—growth can’t happen in isolation. Building local relationships, leveraging associate memberships to ‘try before you buy’, and fostering outward-looking partnerships are key to sustainable expansion. Darren Holmes (CEO of Enquire Learning Trust) reinforced this, sharing insights on moving beyond geographical locality to foster growth.
Of course, growth brings challenges, like falling pupil numbers. Trusts must be agile, planning for change, engaging communities early , and ensuring the right resources are in place are essential steps in navigating this shift. Your ability to adapt and evolve is a key strength to lean into as the educational landscape evolves.
A common purpose and a plan for change
Schools need a shared purpose. A strategic plan that focuses on change—while considering relationships and the pupils’ needs will help reshape education. Emily Verow (CEO of Three Spires Trust) spoke about how their curriculum has been updated to include entrepreneurial skills, AI, and communication, ensuring it’s relevant to today’s learners. Their staff CPD programme has been crucial in supporting this shift, ensuring teachers are prepared to deliver this new, forward-thinking syllabus.
Seizing the moment
With no top-down mandates, trust leaders now have a unique opportunity to shape education’s future. It’s time to advocate for the change we know is needed - focusing on people, supporting pupils, and working together to build a truly revolutionary education system. The morning ended on a high note with insights from Inspiring Primaries Academies Trust and Engaging Education, emphasising the power of innovation and communication at the core of creating a strong people strategy.
Thank you to the trust leaders who joined Alex Hawkins and I for our keynote session on ‘Why MAT growth under a Labour Government shines a spotlight on People Strategy’. We only just scratched the surface on this subject, and there’s so much more to explore. It was a fantastic day that provided amazing collaboration opportunities and gave us all a platform to come together for some creative, inspired thinking and learning.
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