We have recently carried out detailed research into Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in England and their spend on their occupation of their buildings using a detailed data set published on the gov.uk website. This data set includes information on 301 MATs that includes 3,862 Academies and provides education services for over 1.7million pupils and has enabled us to develop a detailed picture of spend expectations on a per pupil basis for various constituent services, activities and utilities.

The results of our research can be found in the report using this link….

The research showed …

• In 2020 / 2021 spend on facilities management services was £416 per pupil – an increase of 8% on 2019 / 2020 spend figures
• Spend on catering activities increased by 4% over the corresponding period from £185.50 to £192.93
• Spend on utilities and water also increased by 4% during this period but occupies an almost identical proportion of MAT revenue (1.53%)
• MATs based in London spend, on average, 20% more on FM services than those based elsewhere in England

The Department for Education has issued guidance to schools on effective estates management – the Good Estates Management (GEMS) guidance. This includes, amongst other things, a recommendation that Trusts benchmark the costs and performance of their estate with peers as well as providing a structure for the documents and process (Strategic Estates Management) you should have in place to provide your boards that your leadership teams are effectively running your buildings. The control of these costs (and of the quality and legislative compliance) from these services are critical to defending front line education services from ensuring funds are directed appropriately and efficiently right through to ensuring that the buildings from which your teams are teaching in are safe and conducive to effective learning.

At Cadaema Consulting Services, we have developed a toolkit to support MAT leaders make the right decisions about the buildings you occupy and the services that support teaching and learning. Please get in touch to find out more. We are more than happy to discuss any specific requirement your organisation may have. We can:

• Identify how your MAT performs against other Trusts within regional and setting type peer groups as well as other sector organisations in terms of your spend profile on building occupation
• Conform the levels of compliance to legislation within your buildings
• Benchmark the quality of the services and how they support teaching and learning across your MAT
• Design appropriate specifications for services and recommend organisational design to support their successful delivery
• Develop strategic plans to ensure your cost profile and / or the quality of your services you receive remain in line with benchmarks and Trust specific tolerances
• Design procurement processes that get the best from the supply market for these services for your MAT

Provide project management and oversight to a range of property and building occupation related activitiesCan I upload a report.