NGA MAT Conference (hosted at the Schools and Academies Show in May)
NGA’s MAT Conference took place on Thursday 7 May in London hosted by the School and Academies Show. The event included expert-led sessions that explored the strategic, structural, and accountability challenges facing trusts today, offering practical guidance to strengthen governance and decision-making.
Conference Session Recordings
Access audio recordings from our MAT conference sessions.
MAT Conference
In an Ideal World: What Would Trust Inspections and Accountability Look Like?
Key Discussion Points
- How could trust inspections bring the most value and benefit to the sector?
- Exploring the possible risks associated with trust inspections, and how may these be mitigated?
- Where should inspection sit within broader policy initiatives?
Speakers
- Sam Henson Deputy Chief Executive, National Governance Association
- Samira Sadeghi Director of Trust Governance, Confederation of School Trusts
- Tom Campbell Chief Executive Officer, E-ACT
Centralisation vs Localisation: Where is Your Decision-Making Taking Place?
Key Discussion Points
- Is your Scheme of Delegation up to the job?
- The importance of clear responsibilities and accountability in developing a trust capable change
- What does your organisational structure say about your trust culture, vision and ethos?
- What are the benefits and pitfalls of differing approaches to decision making?
Speakers
- Matthew Crawford Chief Executive Officer, Embark Federation
- Dr Kerry Jordan-Daus Chief Executive Officer, Veritas MAT
- Trisha Jaffe Chair of Trust, Osborne Cooperative Academy Trust
- Gail Brown Chief Executive Officer, Ebor Academy Trust
- Michael Barton Head of Policy and Impact, National Governance Association
The White Paper and How This Will Impact Trusts
Key Discussion Points
- What the contents of the White Paper will mean for trusts.
- How much impact should policy documents, such as the White Paper, have on trusts with a strong ethos, clear goals and belief in the value of their offering?
- The future of trusts in the context of the White Paper.
Speakers
- Matthew Crawford Chief Executive Officer, Embark Federation
- Dr Kerry Jordan-Daus Chief Executive Officer, Veritas MAT
- Trisha Jaffe Chair of Trust, Osborne Cooperative Academy Trust
- Gail Brown Chief Executive Officer, Ebor Academy Trust
- Michael Barton Head of Policy and Impact, National Governance Association
Digital Transformation in Education Procurement (Sponsor)
Key Discussion Points
- This session explains how Amazon Business is helping MATs modernise their procurement processes using intuitive digital solutions.
- Learn how MATs do this on platforms that automate purchasing workflows, provide total visibility of budgets and ensure compliance at scale.
Sponsor Info
Amazon Business
Simplify your business purchases. Amazon Business is a service for professionals where you can choose from thousands of products in our catalogue, simplify the invoicing of your purchases and take advantage of features tailored to your needs.
Speakers
- Rijk Van Der Merwe Commercial Director, The White Horse Federation
- Darren Cosgrove Chief Finance Officer, Vision Multi Academy Trust
- Steve Howell Commercial Director, Red Kite Learning Trust
- Chun Jiao Head of UK Education, Amazon Business
From Results to Readiness: Trust-Level Insight for a Changing System (Sponsor)
Key Discussion Points
- This AQA session explores how MATs can use trust level assessment insight to compare performance, surface issues earlier and evidence impact more confidently as the sector moves towards academic reform.
- Featuring real world MAT experience and a look ahead at the future of AQA Data Insights.
Sponsor info
AQA
Since 1903, we've been rewarding achievement by designing and delivering fair and inclusive assessment. As an independent education charity we reinvest all of our income into funding cutting-edge research and supporting new insights.
Speakers
- Reuben Phillips Data Insights Product Owner, AQA
- Mark Chester Key Account Manager, AQA
- Nimish Lad Director of Partnerships and Development, Creative Education Trust
Communicating with External Stakeholders – Knowing What You're Saying and Why
Key Discussion Points
- As growing and developing civic institutions, trusts need to communicate with many audiences beyond parents. Whether the media, community leaders and businesses, or other agencies, trusts need to convey a clear consistent message. How do you get the narrative right and remain true to your vision and values?
Speakers
- Anna Pedroza Director, Pedroza Communications
- Jessica Shepherd Founder, Sparrowhawk Communications
Governance Trail
'Transform and Roll Out' – How Do You Make Digital Transformation as Effective and Smooth as Possible?
Key Discussion Points
- How do you make changes when old systems have been embedded in your setting for so long?
- Understanding the workload involved with leading a significant overhaul of your tech systems, and how failure to properly handle this can cause delays or minimise impact.
- How can you feel confident about digital transformation when there is so much noise and changes in the EdTech Space and how do you feel comfortable with changes to avoid change fatigue?
- How do you help your teams grow and change alongside any digital transformations you may make and minimise any resistance to change to ensure that the change is delivered smoothly and delivers the highest impact for pupils and staff?
Speakers
- Rob Peters Director of Marketing Communications, National Governance Association
- Abid Patel CEO, #ITjustworks
- José Picardo Founder and Principal Consultant, Azimuth
- Cerys Walker Head of Digital Services, Turner Schools
- Dr Nicole Ponsford Founding CEO, GEC
The Schools White Paper and What It Means for the Sector
Key Discussion Points
- How will the white paper influence the structure of the education sector and the different stakeholders within?
- With the White Paper focused on driving attainment, how might the expectations and accountability of the sector change?
- How should we expect to see inclusion change both for special schools and in mainstream and how will this affect staff and pupils?
- Does the white paper do enough to support vulnerable and disadvantaged pupils?
Speakers
- Jon Severs Editor, Tes
- Becks Boomer-Clark Chief Executive, Lift Schools
- Emma Balchin Chief Executive, National Governance Association
- Dave Woods Vice President, NAHT
- Grainne Hallahan Head of Community, Teacher Tapp
How Much Difference Will a White Paper Make to SEND and Inclusion?
Key Discussion Points
- What are the effective elements of inclusive practice we are already seeing within the sector and teacher training?
- How will the aims and intentions of the White Paper shape provision going forward?
- Leveraging multi-disciplinary teams, broader stakeholders and staff development to ensure practice and provision are to the highest possible standard.
Speakers
- Claire Dorer OBE Chief Executive Officer, The National Association of Special Schools
- Syra Sowe Principal (Interim), Swiss Cottage School Development & Research Centre
- Adam Kohlbeck Director of Teacher Quality, Chiltern Learning Trust
- Sam Henson Deputy Chief Executive, National Governance Association
- Sonal Desai CCO, SENshine
- Rebecca Fowkes Senior Director - Growth & Marketing, VenturEd Solutions
From Access to Agency: Rethinking SEND Support
Key Discussion Points
- Clarifying understanding of what generative AI can and cannot do for SEND learners.
- A developing a framework for evaluating whether AI use is supporting learning or simply completing tasks.
- Practical, ethical considerations for using AI to reduce barriers without diminishing learning.
Speakers
-
Dawn Taylor
Assistant Headteacher, Kingsdale Foundation School
Director, Challenge Innovate Grow | AI in Education Advisor - Rob Peters Director of Marketing Communications, National Governance Association
- Sonal Desai CCO, SENshine
Governing in 4D
As the government moves towards a universal MAT system, the good governance practice that exists in many trusts must become consistent.
This policy paper sets out the evidence on successful governance practice and explains why the sector needs to embrace trust governance as a four-dimensional system — the trust board, the members, the local tier and trust executives — and in doing so, embed minimum expectations for all four.
Governing in 4D
Setting the standards for trust governance in a community-rooted system
