VIEWS & OPINION


How to build a strong multi


academy trust Comment by GRAHAM COOPER, chief marketing officer at Juniper Education


When a school joins a multi academy trust (MAT), it becomes part of a wider family which supports its schools through the opportunities and challenges along the road. Certainly, the past year has presented more than its fair share of


challenges. Many MATs were able to mount a speedy response to the twists and


turns of the pandemic because their structures were solid, their practices were sound and they had the leadership qualities to support their schools. So how can a MAT grow into a strong and supportive family of


schools? In a recent report on how MATs can grow in strength as well as size,


we spoke to a number of trust leaders about the essential ingredients for a well-managed MAT, and they identified five key pillars. • People management Education is a people business, and a good trust invests in the careers


of its staff. Not only does each school have happy and fulfilled people on board, the trust builds the expertise it needs for the future. MATs with clear HR systems in place can inspire their leaders, provide


professional development and create an environment where teachers and heads exchange knowledge with other schools in the trust. • Financial management A central finance function allows schools in a trust to do more than a


single school because a larger organisation can negotiate more favourable terms from suppliers. The money goes further and school leaders don’t need to spend valuable time making purchase decisions.


Organised MATs can relieve schools of the burden of managing


budgets, procurement and payroll, enabling the school to focus on teaching and learning. • Compliance and risk The business of running a school has never been more complex.


Schools need to keep on top of changes to government legislation, meeting statutory deadlines and managing internal audits. If a trust handles compliance in areas such as data security, premises


management and safeguarding policies, it liberates valuable time for school leaders, and gives them peace of mind. • Management information MATs have a rich bank of data from their schools that can give trust


leaders an insight into which areas are performing well and which need help to improve. If one school has excellent maths teaching for instance, it can provide training and share best practice with other schools. Good management information helped trusts respond effectively


during the pandemic, enabling them to manage staff absences and get distance learning off the ground quickly. • Pupil tracking If a trust has a standardised approach to pupil tracking, trust leaders


can see at a glance which children need interventions and which children would benefit from a greater challenge. This raises standards across a whole MAT and saves time for schools to spend planning lessons and focusing on pupils. At a time when learning gaps have widened and disadvantaged


children risk being left behind, schools benefit from the support of a trust in understanding pupil progress. Each school in a trust brings with it a unique set of qualities, and a


good trust will want to preserve those. However, with these five pillars in place, a MAT is better able to lead its schools through times of crisis and times of calm.


To read the views of trust CEOs on how to create a strong and


successful MAT, download https://junipereducation.org/white- papers/leading-lights/ a white paper from Juniper Education.


Modern thinking in the world of physical education


Comment by NEIL KELFORD, Managing Director, Versaclimber


The passion and tenacity from teachers who have faced recent tough challenges yet are still looking for creative ways to engage and inspire their pupils, is truly inspiring. As managing director for a company that is seeing more interest from PE teachers looking for new and innovative ways to introduce fitness in schools, I have witnessed this first-hand. In the world of PE, much like the world of


general fitness, we have seen some fantastic modern innovations in school sports halls and gyms. Those working in educational fitness are now exploring everything from meditation to virtual classes, to state-of- the-art equipment in school gyms – all helping to keep children active. Although PE has evolved steadily from the highly competitive, gender-


separated, and for some, humiliating PE classes of a few decades ago, to a softer and competition free zone of the late 90s and early noughties, it has probably seen the most rapid shift in the last couple of years. Factors such as technology, smarter equipment and, of course, Covid-


19 have all played a big part in this shift. The most surprising and welcome of all is society's supportive conversations around mental health and the importance of maintaining it through various factors – particularly exercise and mindfulness. Incorporating innovative practices to support student wellbeing needn’t


April 2021


be as challenging or as expensive as you’d think, and we have seen many creative ideas come alive. Simple activities such as breathing exercises in Yoga or taking time out


to practice mindfulness are hugely beneficial. In fact, a recent Harvard University study has shown that they can reduce stress and increase students' ability to stay engaged, helping them stay on track academically and avoid behavioural problems. If this is something that you aren’t equipped to teach yourself there is plenty of free content online, as well as external professionals. Teachers are now also thinking beyond the classroom with a lateral


approach to PE, especially for those students who see exercise as the enemy. Challenging sedentary habits by encouraging students to increase their activities of daily life outside of the classroom is a great way to get them moving. Suggestions such as taking the stairs rather than the lift, walking to school with friends or turning on Spotify and dancing to their favourite tunes after school are all great ways this can be encouraged. Being creative with indoor space has been a much-needed solution to


an age-old problem. We have seen some fantastic school gyms that use every inch of space. From installing vertical climbing machines such as the Versaclimber to building intermediate to advanced level climbing walls, and even exploring aerial yoga extended from the ceiling. Teachers have also been more in tune with individual needs, looking at


obstacles to fitness and tackling it head on. Being more flexible with what students wear, exploring a wider variety of activities such as golf and fencing and even arranging career talks with sports professionals. Offering tours of gyms to take away their intimidating perception and making them more accessible is also a great way to reinforce positive behaviour for the future. As a result of all of these developments, PE has become much more


inclusive and varied. Schools have also become more savvy in making the most of their spaces and can offer facilities that can allow those who need to, to work autonomously, or even train like a potential future Olympian.


www.education-today.co.uk 23


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