The Workforce Strategy Masterclass for MAT Leaders

90 minute Masterclass,

8th July 2025, Virtual

Free Registration

90 minute Masterclass | 8th July, 2025 | Virtual

TThe Workforce Strategy Masterclass for MAT Leaders 

The education system in England is facing the most severe teacher recruitment and retention crisis in over two decades. While multi-academy trusts (MATs) have an important role to play in addressing this, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the NEU, notes that there is still work to do in tackling workload and supporting staff wellbeing. NEU research suggests that addressing workload and improving work-life balance within MATs could be key to reversing recent trends.

“Today’s findings must act as a wake-up call... a culture change is urgently required.” – Daniel Kebede, NEU

Join us for this solution-focused online webinar where education leaders, policy experts and MAT executives will cut through the noise and focus on what actually works. You’ll gain practical insights and hear directly from trusts that have successfully tackled these challenges head-on.

Why Attend?

  • Understand the current landscape and underlying causes of the crisis

  • Learn from a detailed case study of a MAT that has significantly improved recruitment and retention

  • Hear an honest panel discussion featuring trust leaders who’ve implemented scalable, effective strategies

  • Take away replicable actions you can implement in your trust own setting

View The Full Agenda Below…

Expert Speakers

Rob Wall
Data & MIS Lead
Danes Educational Trust

Richard Selfridge
Education Data Consultant
Insight

Stuart Abrahams
Director & Co Founder
WhichMIS/The Wisdom Partnership

Steve Baines
Director & Co Founder
WhichMIS/The Wisdom Partnership

Elaine Harper
Trust Data Manager
The Leigh Academies Trust

Agenda


3.30 pm Welcome and Opening Remarks

Emma Knights OBE, former CEO, National Governance Association – Invited  

Daniel Kebede, General Secretary, National Education Union – Invited


3.40 pm Understanding the Landscape – Key Pressures Driving the Crisis (30 minutes)

This session will provide a concise overview of national data, regional variations and underlying causes, framing the “why” behind the need for urgent action. 

• National and regional recruitment and retention trends

• Cost pressures, workload and staff wellbeing

• Challenges around early career retention and ongoing subject-specific teacher shortages


Jack Worth, Lead Economist, NFER - Invited  

James Zuccollo, Director for School Workforce, EPI - Invited

Daniel Kebede, General Secretary, NEU - Invited

Prof. John Jerrim, UCL Institute of Education - invited

Paul Holcroft, Managing Director, Croner - Invited

Rachel Macfarlan, Director of Education Services, Herts for Learning - Invited  

4:00 pm Case Study – How One MAT Transformed Recruitment and Retention (30 minutes)

A deep dive into a trust that has successfully improved staffing outcomes. This session will explore:

• What triggered strategic change

• What was implemented (recruitment, CPD, wellbeing, workload, etc.)

• Outcomes: improved attraction, retention and workforce morale

• Lessons for other MATs


Featured MAT:

Dr. Vanessa Ogden, CEO, Mulberry Schools Trust – invited  

Caroline Derbyshire, CEO, Saffron Academy Trust – Invited 


4:10 pm Panel Discussion – Replicable Strategies from High-Performing MATs (30 minutes)

A practical, solutions-focused conversation with MAT leaders sharing applied and proven approaches to recruitment and retention.

Topics include:

• Building a culture of trust, growth and wellbeing

• Using data to understand and support the workforce

• Trust-wide career pathways and leadership development

• Real-world CPD, flexible working, and mentoring initiatives


Panellists: 

• Jon Chaloner, CEO, GLF Schools – Invited  

• Angela Barry, Director, Challenge Partners – Invited  

• Dan Morrow, Trust Lead, Dartmoor MAT – Invited  

• Stuart Lock, CEO, Advantage Schools – Invited

• Tom Rees, Executive Director of School Leadership, Ambition Institute – Invited


4:40 pm Closing Q&A

Who Should Attend?


This webinar is perfect for school administrators, data leads, IT leaders, decision-makers and education professionals who are:

  • Considering a new MIS solution or evaluating existing options

  • Seeking expert advice to navigate the MIS procurement and implementation process

  • Interested in learning from the real-world experiences of schools that have successfully adopted new MIS platforms

Join this webinar to explore the possibilities of switching your MIS and discover how to choose the best solution for your school's needs.