1. MAT
The journey to becoming a multi-academy trust

2. Peter Evans – Chief Executive Officer
Our Journey

4. Where it began......fully delegated budget already

5. Local Authority Partnership

6. LA request for school to school support

7. 4 will soon become 5....(Free School approval)

8. Our Vision and Ethos

9. Press the button...... Registering an interest to convert

10. Allocation of a DFE Project Lead
The DfE’s guide to conversion explains that it takes between 2 and 6 weeks to assess a conversion application and grant an academy order
Provide 3 year financial model for each applicant (schools in deficit not approved)

11. First steps
Staff and governors: all staff and governors were involved, as it made them feel part of the process and increased the likelihood of them ‘buying in’ to the vision. This lead to discussions about the school’s goals and what this will look like in the future. Following the meetings, the ideas discussed and the information was collected. The aim was to draft a vision document, including a vision statement, based on the prevalent and recurring themes.
Once the document had been drafted, the CEO (then Executive Head) and Head Teachers consulted the senior leadership team (SLT) and sent the document to the governing bodies for their approval.

12. The Board of Trustees..............(already had one!)

13. Members of the wider community
CEO met with Bristol City Council SEN department,
CEO/SBM met with Jacqui Ford Assistant Principal of Weston College which is seen as a centre of excellence for LDD provision for support/advice also discussions were had with out of county authorities who could possibly commission places.
Parents/local community/young people

14. Karen Baker – Business Manager
Application
Model
Being the MAT sponsor

15. How to estimate your budget until conversion
A school can plan its budget if its conversion date does not coincide with the beginning or end of the local authority's (LA's) financial year (1 April to 31 March).
For example, it knows it will receive funding from the LA for 7 months of the year, it can estimate that it will receive 7/12 of the funding it would normally receive, and plan its budget accordingly.
Remember a MAT’s financial year runs from 1st September to August, 31st
During this time you receive no funding but are doing a lot of work!

16. We looked at possible central models
CEO
Director of Finance/Operations
Human Resources
(p/t)
Assistant Accountant
PA (p/t)
Accounting Assistant

17. CEO
Finance Director
Human Resources
Assistant Accountant
Central Services
ICT
H&S (Premises)
SEN Specialists
Head PA

18. Being a Business Manager of the sponsor
Support lead person on preparing information for Trustees/Governors/Project Lead
Costed model Executive structure (Central Team)
Costs of central services Heads had identified (eg Educational Psychology, HR, SaLT)
Model costings of central contributions from schools
Clarify use of £25,000 set up grant

19. Caroline Osborn – Chief Finance Officer
Converting From A Maintained School
Staff
Transfer of services
Finance – Operational
Finance – Regulatory

20. Staff Due Diligence on staff transferring on conversion Policies
Contracts
New payroll set-up
Pensions

21. Transfer of Services Utilities Insurance Vehicles
Legal advisory services
HR advisory services

22. Finance - Operational Accounting software Policies and procedures
Banking
Budgeting – timing and cultural changes
Funding – cashflow and accuracy

23. Finance - Regulatory Annual Financial Statements
Annual Accounts Return
Budget Forecast Return
Budget Forecast Return: Outturn
VAT
Audit
First year requirements

24. Key to Success Start the process as soon as possible
Secure your key advisors and build those relationships:
Legal advisors
Auditors
HR advisors
IT partners
Plot your timeline and familiarise yourself with key deadlines
Create your internal team and ringfence their time
Clear delegation and division of workload
Know your regulatory framework

25. If I knew then what I know now......
Chief Executive Officer
Business Manager
Chief Finance Officer

26. What about you?
Is there anything else you’d like to know?