12 ACADEMISATION


With the ever changing educational landscape, HfL has been preparing resources and adapting services to support emerging and developing MATs. Natalie Dalvarez was appointed as MAT services lead in HfL and has been working to develop support services for emerging MATs.


Natalie and her team have created a complete range of online content including videos, resources and informa- tion suitable for any setting, whatever stage they are at in their academisation journey. These can be accessed here: www.hertsforlearning.co.uk/mats


The content has been split up into the following sections depending on what stage of the journey, a school is at:


UNDERSTANDING THE LANDSCAPE


There are many sources of information on the govern- ment’s policy for academisation, yet there remains uncer- tainty. HfL resources aim to clarify the landscape and enable schools to move forward in understanding the options available.


UNDERSTANDING THE OPTIONS


There are different options available to schools and acad- emies so it’s crucial that leaders have all the information required to make the right decision for their setting. It is critical to understand the benefits and challenges of leading or joining a MAT (Multi-Academy Trust), or becoming a SAT (Single Academy Trust) when considering the future.


PREPARING FOR CHANGE


There are key areas of a school's existing practice such as ethos, governance, financial management and staffing resources that will need to be reviewed and evaluated as they prepare to change. This will be imperative when bringing schools and academies together to work as one new organisation and as they move towards entering into a trust arrangement.


MAKING THE TRANSITION


Having effective project management expertise in place enables this transition to have minimal impact on teaching and learning. Whether a school is creating a new trust or joining an established one, understanding and planning for the important milestones will ensure the transition is a positive experience.


BUSINESS SERVICES TO SUPPORT YOU


As a multi-academy trust or single academy, Herts for Learning can offer a full range of services to help MATs in ensuring the efficient and effective running of their organ- isation. HfL's expertise provides MATs with peace of mind, knowing that they are only one step away from professional advice and support with their business needs.


Each section of HfL's site will be continuously updated with fresh content to ensure that school's receive the most-up- to date and relevant information.


First wave schools ready to join the HfL MAT (Continued from the front page)


significant number of schools. Following numerous consul- tation events with headteachers and chairs of governing bodies, the HfL Ltd Board agreed that there was sufficient interest to proceed in June 2016. The MAT was incorporated at Companies House in July 2016. Since then work has been ongoing with schools to shape the model and to develop the values and vision and scheme of delegation. During this time there, have been discussions with the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) and the DfE to ensure the HfL MAT would be compliant with requirements for approval to become a sponsor and for schools to apply to convert into the HfL MAT.


APPROVAL AND WAVE 1 SCHOOLS


The MAT received approval to be a sponsor on 21st December 2016 and the Trust Board is hopeful that the first wave of schools will be approved and converted ready for September 2017, with further schools joining in the next two academic years. Currently, over 30 schools have expressed an interest in being included in Wave 1. The model has been designed to be able to expand using a geographical cluster approach and the scheme of delegation created has taken this into account.


INCLUSIVE


The HfL MAT will be inclusive; it is intended to be made up of a healthy mix of primary, secondary and special schools, which will mainly be converter academies, plus a smaller number of sponsored academies within a one hour driving radius of Stevenage. It does not intend to turn schools away that are not yet good or have financial pressures. In order to manage growth in a sustainable way, its growth strategy intends that at least 80% of the academies are


good or better and financially secure before adding more. PARTNERS


The Herts for Learning Multi Academy Trust works alongside other LA maintained schools, academies and multi-acade- my trusts in Hertfordshire and on our borders. We welcome opportunities to share good practice and learn from each other, building on the relationships


built by Herts for Learning Ltd with its shareholder schools and customers.


The MAT will work with a range of partners to secure the best value services to meet the needs of its academies including Teaching School Alliances, NLEs, SLEs, LLEs and NLGs, other MATs, University of Hertfordshire, Education Service of the Diocese of Westminster and the St Albans Diocesan Board and HertsCam.


HfL Ltd will remain unchanged in its current form as


your School Improvement Company trading its services in Hertfordshire and beyond and developing products and services to suit your needs. Herts for Learning Ltd currently trades with maintained schools, academies,


free schools, MATs and independent schools as well as other customers and that will continue; so please be assured that for HfL Ltd it will be business as usual.


THE EXCHANGE


Making the right choice for your school Support for schools establishing a MAT


Multi-Academy Trust Transition and support services


www.hertsforlearning.co.uk/mats


The future of your school; exploring MATs and the choices available


Tuesday 28th February 2017


16SBM/042A Fielder Centre, Hatfield, AL10 9TP


This is a must for school leaders and governors who are looking for support and advice on how to secure the future for their school. The conference will provide guidance for schools and academies that are currently working through the options available and are thinking of either establishing their own MAT or looking to join a local MAT. This one-day event will provide the opportunity to understand the pros and cons of each option and to find out the support available. As a summary, this conference will equip leaders with the right amount of information to move forward and enable the right decisions to be made.


By attending participants will have: • clarity around the options available to their school • understood the differences between leading a MAT and joining a MAT in their day-to-day practice


To find out more and to find out about the HfL MAT members and trustees please look at the new HfL MAT website hflmat.co.uk. If you have any questions about anything concerning the HfL MAT please make contact through info@hflmat.co.uk


• knowledge of the support and advice available to them • the information to make decisions on their school’s future


For further information about HfL’s training programme, please contact us on: 01438 844788 or info@hertsforlearning.co.uk


For further information about MATs and what Herts for Learning is doing about academisation, please email: business.matters@hertsforlearning.co.uk


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