Multi-Academy Trusts: you’ve probably heard of them, but why should you consider working for one?
Nearly two-thirds (63%) of teachers say they have “no understanding of how working for a MAT differs from teaching in a normal school”.
A common misconception about Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) is that staff working under an umbrella of schools can lose their autonomy. In fact, this can usually be the opposite way around, as MATs can provide their staff and students with opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.
According to teachers, the most important factors in deciding which school to work for include a demonstrably strong CPD programme, accessible leadership opportunities, and opportunities to transition between schools. MATs can provide all of this and more!
With that in mind, let’s look at the top 5 benefits of working in a Multi-Academy Trust...
1. Levelling up your skills
Being a MAT member of staff can give you access to regular training and development opportunities within a wider scope than non-MAT schools. By working within a MAT, you’ll have access to a whole shared network of schools and training hubs within them.
Trust-wide opportunities, training and resource sharing across schools within a MAT are common practices and enable a strong, consistent educational outlook as well as many more opportunities for continued professional development - whether that’s in your current role or upskilling into a new position.
2. Career progression
Have you ever wanted easier access to leadership opportunities? Whether now or in the future, having open avenues for the next step of your career is important.
Leadership and promotion opportunities within MATs are frequently offered across a Trust, meaning staff from all umbrella schools will have the opportunity to apply. This naturally means more visible opportunities to progress your career to the next level, rather than a handful of leadership opportunities within just one school.
What’s more, many MAT schools are geographically close to one another, and many leadership and management roles provide flexible working options, meaning that taking a step up within a new school can often be an easier transition with a MAT.
3. More flexibility
Speaking of flexible working, MATs tend to be better placed than other schools to offer flexibility in working patterns or home/hybrid options.
There are even Flexible Working Ambassador Multi-Academy Trusts and Schools (or FWAMS for short) who have been appointed by the DfE to support leaders in implementing flexible working opportunities. They help schools to design flexible working policies, guiding MATs to embrace working patterns that are better suited for all employees’ wellbeing and career satisfaction.
By working with a MAT, you’re more likely to have greater freedom and the opportunity for flexibility within your education career.
4. Effective collaboration
As part of a MAT network, it’s easier than ever to share resources and collaborate between schools with regards to resources, best practices, and more.
MATs regularly adopt a Trust-wide educational ethos, which ensures consistently high standards of teaching and learning – but this also means that all educators across the MAT network can effectively work together to develop curricula, provision and more, with a common educational outlook in mind.
You’ll have many more peers to learn from and collaborate with during your education career at a MAT, meaning greater exposure to alternative ways of teaching, new ideas, and effective implementation of pedagogical strategies.
5. Broad range of opportunities
Even if you started a role in a MAT that wasn’t your cup of tea, MATs give you greater freedom to explore different avenues for your career, within the same school network.
It’s common for members of staff to have opportunities to transition across roles, departments and schools, owing to the robust upskilling and development programmes in place.
This means it’s even easier to step into a new role – you’ll be with a familiar employer, avoiding the nerves of starting somewhere completely new, but could be working within a completely different remit, such as transferring from administration to classroom support. As mentioned, you’ll also have greater visibility of opportunities to change role across the whole MAT network.
In summary, working for a MAT could be a breath of fresh air if you feel restricted within your current position. Whether you’re looking to train, re-skill, or get a promotion, MATs have many options worth exploring.
Interested in what a MAT could do for your career? Browse all Multi-Academy Trust roles on Eteach today, and apply in just a few clicks:
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About the author
Ruby Collings
Ruby studied English Literature at the University of Brighton, having been an avid reader and writer for all of her life. With her passion for everything creative, she now works for Eteach as a Digital Marketing Executive, using her skills to deliver informative and relevant content.
