Investigation launched into the running of multi-academy trusts

An investigation into the performance, accountability and governance of multi-academy trusts (MATs) has been launched by the House of Commons Education Committee.

The investigation follows on from the Committee’s report on Regional Schools Commissioners published in January 2016, and will continue its work to scrutinise the ‘middle tier’ of governance between Whitehall and individual schools.

The Committee is currently calling for written submissions to address key concerns surrounding MATs. This includes: the role of MATs in the context of other intermediate structures operating between Whitehall and individual schools, including Regional Schools Commissioners; the current MATs landscape, including in terms of the number, size, and geographical coverage of MATs; the balance of decision-making at the individual school level and at the chain level, and the appropriateness of formal governance structures employed; and how the expansion of MATs should be monitored and managed.

The investigation will also seek to identify the characteristics of high-performing MATs and ascertain the best way to assess the performance of MATs.

Neil Carmichael, chair of the Committee, said: "Multi-academy trusts play a substantial role in today’s education system but with relatively little scrutiny. The government’s direction of travel towards a fully academised system means we are likely to see more MATs in the future. Some MATs and academies deliver great results for their pupils but it’s important that all academies and MATS meet the highest educational standards.

“We want to examine the role and governance of MATs and ensure we have a system which ensures these academy chains deliver excellent performance while being properly held to account."