£45 million fund for MATs with proven track record announced

The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a new £45 million fund for successful multi-academy trusts (MATs) to help “tackle underperformance and improve schools in areas that lack capacity”.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said the package of measures is aimed particularly at disadvantaged areas across the country.

The headline Multi-Academy Trust Development and Improvement Fund (MDIF) will be shared between 400 MATs “with a proven record” in areas facing the greatest challenges in education.

It also includes 75 projects sharing £25 million to provide more support for schools in relation to literacy and numeracy skills, as well as the publication of the next six Opportunity Area plans.

These will look at schools in Bradford, Doncaster, Fenland and East Cambridgeshire, Hastings, Ipswich and Stoke-on-Trent, it was revealed.

Education Secretary Damian Hinds said: “As Education Secretary, I want all children to get a truly world-class education that not only inspires them to make the most of their lives but also gives them the opportunity to fulfil their ambitions, no matter where they live.

“Standards are rising in schools across the country but there is more to do to make sure that every child benefits from the progress we’ve already made thanks to an incredibly talented generation of teachers.

“By supporting good and outstanding schools to help others improve, and focusing on disadvantaged areas where our young people need extra help, we can continue to make a difference to people’s everyday lives and build a Britain that’s fit for the future.”