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Developing a process for new schools joining your trust: case study

The Flying High Trust shares its approach to new schools joining the trust. Learn about the due diligence process, how it assesses its own capacity to grow and how it inducts a new school over the first year.

Last reviewed on 30 January 2025See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 44260
Contents
  1. Initial due diligence and capacity check
  2. Going into more depth
  3. Consultation phase (for maintained schools joining the trust)
  4. Onboarding and inducting a school
  5. What the trust has learned

The Flying High Trust is a 35 primary school multi-academy trust (MAT) based in the East Midlands. We spoke to Nick Layfield, its operations manager.

Initial due diligence and capacity check

Flying High first does an ‘expression of interest’ exercise with the school looking to join. This is a 1-page summary of the school's position, looking at:

  • Why they want to join the trust
  • Their staffing summary
  • Their 3-year financial forecast
  • Their site condition

This is assessed by the team members at Flying High with the relevant expertise in these areas.

They make sure there are no significant risks or liabilities that stand out – for example, finances showing significant debts / forecasting large deficits, or significant building disrepair.

If the school requires support, the trust makes sure to maintain a 3:1 ratio of schools that can provide support to schools