Choosing whether to join a Multi Academy Trust is a significant decision.

It affects pupils, staff, governors, families and the future direction of a school, and we believe it should be approached carefully, openly and without pressure.

At MAST, we are always happy to have an informal and confidential conversation with school leaders and governors who are beginning to explore their options.

You do not need to have made any decisions before speaking to us. Early conversations are simply an opportunity to ask questions, understand how MAST works and explore whether there may be a good fit between your school and our Trust.

A growing Trust with a clear purpose

Medway Anglican Schools Trust is a growing family of schools united by a shared ambition for every child to Belong, Be Safe and Flourish.

Our schools retain their individual character and community identity while benefiting from the expertise, capacity and support of the wider Trust.

We welcome conversations with primary, secondary and special schools, including both Church of England and community schools, where there is a shared commitment to collaboration, inclusion, high expectations and improving outcomes for children.

What joining MAST means

Joining MAST is about much more than accessing central services.

It means becoming part of a wider professional community in which schools support one another, expertise is shared and leaders are not expected to face significant challenges alone.

Schools joining MAST benefit from access to support across areas including:

• school improvement;
• teaching, learning and curriculum;
• inclusion and SEND;
• finance and business;
• people and HR;
• estates and operations;
• governance;
• safeguarding and compliance; and
• professional development.

Our Central Team works closely with school leaders, providing both strategic support and practical day-to-day expertise.

Just as importantly, schools joining MAST bring their own strengths, experience and expertise to the Trust.

We see growth as a two-way process: every school should benefit from joining, and every school should strengthen the wider Trust.

Preserving school identity

We do not believe that joining a Trust should mean losing what makes a school special.

Each MAST school serves a distinct community and has its own history, culture and character.

Our role is to provide a strong shared infrastructure around schools while enabling leaders and governors to retain a clear sense of local identity.

For Church of England schools, we also recognise the importance of protecting and developing the school’s Christian vision and distinctive character.

For community schools, we equally value the individual ethos and identity of the school.

Our Trust includes different types of schools working together with a common commitment to children and communities.

A careful and transparent process

We believe that successful Trust growth depends upon strong relationships and careful due diligence.

Before any school joins MAST, we want both the school and the Trust to have a clear understanding of one another.

Conversations may therefore include:

• educational strengths and priorities;
• school culture and values;
• governance;
• finance;
• staffing;
• SEND and inclusion;
• safeguarding;
• estates and buildings;
• pupil numbers and demographics; and
• future opportunities and challenges.

This process is not simply about determining whether MAST can support a school.

It is about deciding together whether joining MAST is the right long-term partnership for the school, its community and the Trust.

Associate membership

Schools that are interested in working more closely with MAST but are not yet ready to make a formal decision may also explore associate membership.

Associate arrangements allow schools to work alongside MAST, build relationships with our Central Team and schools, and experience aspects of Trust collaboration before deciding whether full membership is right for them.

This can provide leaders and governors with valuable insight into our culture, ways of working and the support available through the Trust.

Associate membership does not predetermine a future decision to join.

Start with a conversation

If your school is considering joining a Trust, or you would simply like to understand more about MAST, we would be very pleased to hear from you.

An initial conversation can be informal and confidential, with no commitment on either side.

We can talk through your school’s circumstances, answer questions about MAST and, where helpful, arrange opportunities to meet members of the Central Team, speak with existing school leaders or visit our schools.

If you would like to begin a conversation about joining MAST, please get in touch through our Contact Us page.