Scaling a Multi-Academy Trust is about more than welcoming new schools; it requires a deliberate evolution of central capacity and culture. In our recent panel discussion with leaders from Embark Federation and King’s Group Academies, a key takeaway emerged: successful growth relies on “evolving how the central team supports improvement” rather than simply adding schools to existing systems.

For Trust leaders, the priority must be scaling people and culture alongside infrastructure. By focusing on building sustainable capacity before expansion, Trusts can ensure that growth strengthens their educational impact rather than diluting it.