7th Report - Multi-academy trusts

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government welcomes the report and agrees that MATs need clear accountability, but does not accept that there is a gap in assessing MAT quality and sees no case for realigning RSC and Ofsted regions.

• On inspection, the department says it is working closely with Ofsted "as the Chief Inspector considers possible changes to the current model for reviewing the quality of education provision across a MAT".
• It argues there is "a strong argument against the alignment of RSC and Ofsted boundaries", saying the disruption and cost of change are "thought to be disproportionate". It plans to publish updated Schools Causing Concern guidance "in due course".
• On finances, it states "We do not accept" the Committee's view that the department has a long way to go, saying academies have "a stronger financial framework" than other state-funded schools.
• On growth, it says MAT growth checks are "currently in development", and it does not think "it is necessary at this time to set a timescale" for MAT formation.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error