Schools Week: The Decline of Standalone Academies and the Rise of Multi-Academy Trusts

In a report by Schools Week, published in March of this year, the impact of the Department for Education's (DfE) trust development statements on the landscape of academies in England has come under scrutiny.

The data reveals a notable shift towards larger multi-academy trusts (MATs) and a corresponding decline in standalone academies, especially in the nation's education investment areas (EIAs)

Key findings from the report

The Schools Week analysis highlights several critical points:

Decline in standalone academies

Over the past year, the number of standalone academies in EIAs has decreased by 13%, compared to an 8% decline nationwide. This trend is particularly pronounced in regions such as Rotherham, which saw its number of standalone academies fall from eight to just one. The only regions to buck this trend were the West Midlands and the South East, where the stock of standalones remained unchanged.

Growth of multi-academy trusts

Concurrently, the average size of trusts operating in EIAs has increased by over 11%, from 6.5 to 7.2 schools. Nationwide, the average trust size rose by 9%, from 4.2 to 4.6 schools. This growth suggests a consolidation of educational resources into larger, potentially more robust organisations.

Regional variations

The impact of these changes varies by region. Yorkshire and the Humber, for instance, recorded the highest rise in trust sizes, while the West Midlands had the lowest. Conversely, Yorkshire and the Humber also experienced the largest fall in the number of trusts, while the West Midlands saw the most significant increase.

Implications for the sector

The impact of these changes varies by region. Yorkshire and the Humber, for instance, recorded the highest rise in trust sizes, while the West Midlands had the lowest. Conversely, Yorkshire and the Humber also experienced the largest fall in the number of trusts, while the West Midlands saw the most significant increase.

How can we help?

It’s clear that there are no quick-fix solutions to address the complex challenges of regional disparity in education, and the concerns surrounding the decline of standalone academies aren’t to be taken lightly.

As technology providers for educational facilities of all types across the UK, we remain steadfast in our mission to offer flexible services that cater for those diverse needs and budgetary frameworks. If you’d like to find out more about how technology can help your academy trust realise its educational potential, please do get in touch.