In this episode of HEP Talks, Luke Kemper, HEP Insight and Intelligence Lead, talks to Kate Turnpenney, former CEO of Children First Academy Trust, about how to set up a MAT. Topics covered include how Children First was established, what are its values, and the role of place in the formation of the trust, among others.

Attention to multi-academy trusts, or MATs, has drastically increased since the Schools White Paper was released earlier this year and stated that all schools will be members of an academy trust by 2030. For schools thinking about converting to or joining an academy trust, we hope that this is an illuminating listen for you, as Kate details the process she and others went through in order to set up Children First, which is now the first MAT to join HEP. She also nails down some of the most important requirements and gives advice for starting a MAT.