Growth is still a core part of the academy system, and MAT expansion continues to be actively encouraged by the DfE. For trusts that are performing well, taking on additional schools is often seen as both a strategic opportunity and a way to support the wider system. However, the operating environment in 2026 is very different from even five years ago. Some of the assumptions that trusts relied on when expanding, such as the financial stability of incoming schools and the ability of central teams to absorb growth, are proving less reliable in the current environment. Trusts now face tighter budgets, increased regulatory scrutiny, and greater operational complexity. Navigating these changes requires trusts to rethink how they approach growth, making careful, informed decisions that balance opportunity with risk.

Growth is now often influenced by system need such as taking on underperforming schools rather than arising solely from discretionary strategic opportunity. As a result, the risk profile of expansion has shifted materially since 2020.

One of the most immediate challenges trusts face when expanding is the financial position of incoming schools. Many schools that are integrated into a MAT require significant support and investment from the outset, whether to cover existing deficits, stabilise staffing, or address urgent operational needs. Even where the long term strategy for improvement is solid, financial recovery rarely happens overnight. It can take months, or even years, before an incoming school is performing in line with the wider trust.

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