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The Department for Education's (DfE) Trust Capacity Fund (TCaF) is set to open for applications next month. This initiative, with a funding pool of over £17 million in its last round, is aimed at aiding Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) to expand their capacity and take underperforming schools under their wing. Here’s a closer look at the fund, and how our tools, MATvista and iAbacus, align with its objectives.
DfE Trust Capacity Fund: A Closer Look
The TCaF is a grant that seeks to propel trusts into a position where they can extend support to underperforming schools, particularly in education investment areas (EIAs). The government has earmarked up to £86 million for trust capacity funding through March 2025. To be eligible, trusts must have a clearly-defined growth project approved by a regional director, focusing on either incorporating at least one new school into the trust or converting to academy status while taking on at least two new schools.
MATvista: Streamlining Trust Operations
MATvista is a tailored tool for leaders of multi-academy trusts. It simplifies crucial leadership tasks such as quality assurance, risk registers, strategic planning, self-evaluation, risk mitigation, and compliance. By offering a panoramic view of operational effectiveness across the trust, MATvista enables leaders to zoom in on specific areas of provision, facilitating informed decision-making and strategic planning.
iAbacus: Empowering School Improvement
On the other hand, iAbacus is a tool dedicated to simplifying school self-evaluation and improvement planning. It provides a structured, step-by-step process for making accurate judgments, providing evidence, analysing factors, and planning strategic actions based on the analysis. This tool is adaptable and designed to work across all types of schools aiding in continuous improvement and collaborative evaluation.
The Symbiotic Relationship
The alignment between the objectives of the TCaF and the functionalities of MATvista and iAbacus is clear. While the TCaF provides the financial backing, MATvista and iAbacus offer the structural and strategic support necessary for trusts and schools to thrive.
Reaping the Benefits
With the upcoming TCaF application period, trusts have the chance to secure financial support that, when coupled with the right tools, can enhance their growth trajectory. It's an opportune moment for trusts to reassess their strategies, explore supportive tools, and position themselves for a successful application and beyond.
The DfE Trust Capacity Fund, along with supportive tools like MATvista and iAbacus, provides a solid foundation for trusts aspiring to expand their capacity and uplift underperforming schools. As the fund opens for applications next month, now is the time for MAT leaders to explore these resources.
If you're considering applying for the TCaF and would like to learn more about how MATvista and iAbacus can support your trust, we are open for discussion. Please book a short Teams or Zoom meeting to delve deeper into how we can assist in your trust's continuous growth and school improvement initiatives.
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