As we approach the end of the budget-setting period, many schools across the country are navigating challenging financial decisions. The recent announcement of a 4% pay rise for teachers, supported by £615 million in additional funding, is a commendable step towards valuing our educators Schools Week.
However, with schools expected to cover a portion of this increase through internal efficiencies, it’s clear that strategic investments are more crucial than ever.
Why Invest in Technology Now?
Enhance Quality: Implementing advanced educational tools can elevate teaching and learning experiences.
Manage Risk: Robust IT systems can protect against data breaches and ensure compliance with regulations.
Reduce Costs: Automation and digital solutions can streamline administrative tasks, leading to significant savings.
Generate Revenue: Online courses and virtual learning platforms can open new income streams.
At Transformative, we specialise in guiding educational institutions through digital transformations that align with their unique goals and challenges.
Ready to Future-Proof Your School?
Let’s discuss how we can support your institution in leveraging technology for sustainable growth and excellence.
As TransforMATive celebrates its third birthday, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what really drives our impact: our people. From the very beginning, our mission has been rooted not only in supporting digital transformation across education and the public sector, but in building a company where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow.
At the heart of our success is a simple but powerful belief—people matter most.
Whether we’re shaping AI strategy for a Multi-Academy Trust or delivering digital leadership roundtables, our work is only possible because of the passion, insight, and commitment of our team. That’s why we continue to invest in a people-centred strategy that prioritises talent recruitment, development, and—most importantly—retention.
To mark our milestone, we wanted to do something memorable. So, we invited our team to step into a very different kind of challenge: TransforMATive Takes on The Cube.
Why The Cube? Because, in many ways, it mirrors what we value as a business.
Success in The Cube isn’t just about individual ability—it’s about strategy, adaptability, teamwork, resilience, and yes, a bit of healthy competition. These are the same qualities that underpin our approach to transformation projects and client relationships. It was a chance to laugh, to connect, to support each other under pressure—and to reflect on how we apply those same principles every day in our work.
This experience reminded us that no strategy is effective without the right people to bring it to life. That’s why we’re focused on:
Attracting exceptional talent who share our values and ambition.
Fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous learning.
Creating space for wellbeing, creativity, and fun—because great work happens when people feel great.
As we enter our fourth year, we’re more committed than ever to making TransforMATive not just a place to work, but a place to thrive.
To everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you. Let’s keep building something brilliant, together.
On Thursday 24th April 2025, Google HQ in London became the backdrop for a remarkable day of celebration, reflection, and forward-thinking collaboration, marking the culmination of the TransforMATive Leadership Programme 2024–25. With over 50 leaders from Multi-Academy Trusts in attendance, this milestone event brought together visionaries, data pioneers, digital strategists, and educators to showcase and share how digital transformation can be a catalyst for equity, efficiency, and educational excellence.
A Programme Rooted in Purpose
Chaired by Jonny Wathen, Lisa Hawker, and John Murphy, the programme has been more than professional development—it’s been a transformative journey of strategic leadership. Through immersive learning, peer collaboration, and deep dives into digital strategy, participants explored how technology can drive improvement across governance, finance, inclusion, and curriculum.
The programme’s structured approach was designed to tackle real sector challenges: from the digital divide to workload pressures, from sustainability concerns to data fragmentation. Sessions like “Developing and Implementing a Digital Strategy” and “Google AI Studio in Schools” provided not just inspiration but practical tools that MATs are already embedding into their strategies.
Showcasing System Leadership in Action
The event celebrated individuals and trusts leading from the front:
Andrew Harris and James Browning demonstrated how a strategic, values-led digital approach is embedding across entire trusts.
Andrew Walls showcased Google AI Studio’s potential—from teacher coaching to web accessibility, redefining automation in schools.
Mark Hancock revealed how River Learning Trust has unified fragmented data systems to enable real-time insights.
Cheryl Shirley and Fiona Law offered practical examples of how inclusive EdTech and accessible tools can empower staff and learners.
Award-winning moments, such as Dewan Chowdhury’s contributions to data visualisation using BigQuery, reminded us that innovation often comes from unexpected corners of our teams.
The Real Impact
Participant feedback paints a powerful picture:
“What I thought would be IT-focused became a transformative leadership journey.” “The course has been brilliant and eye-opening… offering valuable insights and new perspectives.” “It’s empowered us to rethink how we meet, collaborate, and prioritise what matters.”
More than CPD, the programme sparked strategic alignment across trusts—linking digital strategy directly to teaching, inclusion, finance, and culture.
A Shared Mission: Equity, Excellence, and Innovation
The concluding panel discussions and reflections underscored a key message: digital strategy is no longer a future consideration—it’s a current necessity. Whether improving governance, enabling staff wellbeing, or empowering pupil outcomes, technology is reshaping the educational landscape.
Thanks to Google for Education for hosting, and to every trust who shared openly, challenged norms, and collaborated with courage.
As one delegate put it, “This is system leadership in action—together, we’re raising the bar and closing the gap.”
Exceed Academies Trust, in partnership with TransforMATive, hosted our first AI in education conference on the 28th February 2025 at the University of Leeds. The conference was an opportunity for Exceed to share our AI journey and to help other schools and trusts start theirs or to take their next step on the journey. As an outward facing trust with a strong moral purpose to contribute to system wide improvements in education, we committed to not only sharing our journey but also publishing a wealth of resources and tools to support the wider sector.
The eventheld at the University of Leeds brought together educators, innovators, and system leaders from across the sector for an inspiring day of discovery, challenge, and opportunity.
TransforMATive believe that sharing what works—and what doesn’t—is critical. And this event did exactly that. We heard from schools at the very start of their journey and from those already embedding AI into daily practice with impact. There was a powerful sense of collective purpose: to better understand how artificial intelligence can support Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and transform education for staff and students alike.
The interactive nature of the event stood out. Attendees got hands-on with VR and AR headsets, explored new product demonstrations, and even had the chance to engage with neuroimaging technologies such as EEG—showcasing how deep cognitive insights could help personalise learning experiences.
With teacher workload at an all-time high, one of the central questions was: How can AI support those at the front line? Whether through intelligent automation, smarter lesson planning tools, or marking assistance, we saw examples of technology being used not to replace educators, but to amplify their impact and reclaim time for what matters most.
Our sponsors played a vital role in bringing this vision to life. They showcased cutting-edge tools and features, providing a tangible sense of what’s possible right now—and what’s just around the corner.
Above all, what made the day special was the willingness of participants to share, to challenge assumptions, and to reimagine what education could look like in an AI-augmented world.
We’re proud to be part of this movement—and even prouder to help connect the dots for MATs navigating this change. AI is not a distant future; it’s already reshaping how we think about teaching, learning, and leadership.
We’re still buzzing from the incredible School Leaders Conference hosted by Wakefield Education Services. A huge thank you to the brilliant Wakefield team for the kind invitation and warm welcome—it was a privilege to be part of such an inspiring and energising event.
The day brought together passionate educators, thought leaders, and change-makers all exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence in shaping the future of teaching and learning. From big-picture strategy to practical implementation, every session offered powerful insights and sparked rich conversations.
It was especially meaningful to work alongside our trusted TransforMATive Associate, the amazing Emma Darcy, whose keynote on AI in education struck the perfect balance between vision, pragmatism, and challenge. Her session left delegates feeling empowered and equipped to take their next steps.
A special shoutout goes to Pepe DiIasio for his Friday afternoon keynote—thought-provoking, energising, and a perfect way to close the conference on a high. His reflections reminded us of the importance of leadership, curiosity, and courage in times of change.
At TransforMATive, we know that navigating digital transformation in education—especially during financially and structurally challenging times—can be daunting. But events like this remind us that innovation thrives in community. When system leaders come together with openness, ambition, and shared purpose, great things happen.
If your organisation is exploring how to harness AI, build digital confidence, or develop a strategic transformation plan, we’d love to connect and support your journey.
At TransforMATive, we believe digital transformation is no longer a future ambition—it’s a present necessity. Our latest analysis, grounded in data from our MAT Digital Maturity Survey, explores the shifting landscape of digital innovation across Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) in England.
This blog shares key insights into the evolving priorities, strategic initiatives, and persistent challenges MATs face as they embrace technology to improve both educational and operational outcomes.
What We’re Seeing Across the Sector
1. Cloud-first Thinking is Becoming the Norm Trusts are continuing their shift to cloud-based Management Information Systems (MIS), with a significant number already streamlining HR, finance, and compliance through paperless processes. Centralised procurement and standardised tenancy platforms (e.g. Google Workspace, Microsoft 365) are also rising as Trusts seek efficiency and consistency.
2. AI is Moving from Hype to Pilot Interest in AI has surged, particularly for lesson planning, marking, and back-office automation. Around a third of Trusts report piloting AI tools—marking a critical transition from curiosity to experimentation.
3. Devices Matter, But So Does Infrastructure 1:1 device strategies (e.g. Chromebooks and iPads) are widespread, with some Trusts rolling out provision to over 90% of pupils. But infrastructure readiness remains a barrier for many, highlighting a continued need for investment.
What’s Driving Change?
The 2024/25 data points to efficiency, workload reduction, and curriculum innovation as leading motivators for MATs. With strategic growth and teacher retention also in focus, digital transformation is no longer siloed in IT—it’s a Trust-wide imperative.
Meanwhile, sustainability is gaining prominence, with MATs beginning to factor in carbon impact when making technology decisions.
Challenges in the Way
Despite progress, MATs are not without hurdles:
Limited time and funding remain the top barriers.
Staff engagement varies, often slowed by competing pressures and data protection concerns.
Digital leadership capacity is lacking in many Trusts—40% report needing external expertise to drive change effectively.
Opportunities on the Horizon
AI Integration: Early pilot projects provide a platform for scale—if supported by strategy, training, and governance.
Data-driven Decision-making: Platforms like Power BI are helping Trusts link performance data with interventions.
Cybersecurity & Compliance: As regulation tightens, there’s renewed urgency around GDPR training and governance frameworks.
Sustainability: Cloud infrastructure and digital workflows present a tangible way to reduce paper use and emissions.
Peer Collaboration: Trusts that network and share best practice show stronger digital adoption and higher staff morale.
Our Recommendations for MATs
To capitalise on momentum and navigate complexity, MATs should:
Develop a Clear, Shared Roadmap Set measurable goals, aligned to Trust priorities, and communicate them widely.
Invest in People, Not Just Platforms Provide staff with the time and training they need to engage confidently with digital tools.
Engage All Stakeholders Involve educators, leaders, pupils, and parents in shaping how technology is used across the Trust.
Lean on Trusted Partners Specialist support can help MATs unlock AI’s potential and reduce the risk of implementation missteps.
Embed Cybersecurity and Governance Make compliance and risk management part of daily digital practice, not an afterthought.
Start Small, Learn Fast, Scale What Works Pilot new tools, gather feedback, and scale successful approaches—sharing learnings with the wider sector.
Conclusion: A Sector in Motion
Digital transformation across MATs is happening—but at different speeds, with varying levels of resource and capacity. The opportunity is clear: when done well, digital strategies can drive meaningful improvements for pupils, reduce burden for staff, and unlock innovation across the system.
But realising this vision takes more than tools—it requires clarity, collaboration, and long-term commitment.
Let’s walk the path from vision to value, together.
At TransforMATive, we believe that moving from good to great isn’t just a slogan—it’s a deliberate strategy. As Jim Collins reminds us, “greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice.” And for us, that choice is shaped by disciplined people, disciplined thought, and disciplined action.
For Multi-Academy Trusts, this journey isn’t a solo venture. It’s fuelled by long-term vision, robust governance, and the thoughtful enablement of technology—including the emerging power of AI. When these elements align, we see more than organisational growth; we see communities thrive and children flourish.
It was a privilege to join Samira Sadeghi from the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) for her keynote on this very theme. Her reflections brought clarity to the leadership required for transformation—and reinforced the importance of bold, strategic decision-making in education. A heartfelt thank you to Samira for her insight, and to Lorrayne Hughes OBE and the Cumbria Education Trust team for the generous invitation and warm hospitality.
And most importantly, thank you to the pupils whose performances brought such energy and inspiration to the day. Their passion reminds us exactly why this work matters.
From vision to action, from systems to culture, the path from good to great is not a straight line. But it is a shared journey—and one we’re proud to walk with courage, clarity, and care.
Fresh from CYBERUK2025 in Manchester, we’re still absorbing a truly thought-provoking agenda. A huge thank you to the NCSC and all involved in curating such a rich and engaging event. It was great to connect with new voices, reconnect with sector leaders like James Garnett and Adam Holt (BlueVoyant), and immerse ourselves in the latest thinking on cyber strategy and resilience.
As we reflect on the experience, several powerful themes continue to resonate — all of which are deeply relevant to the challenges and opportunities we face across the education sector:
1. The Cost of Inaction We were reminded that cyber resilience isn’t just about systems — it’s about consequences. Failures to implement basic controls like multi-factor authentication (MFA) have already resulted in regulatory fines. Often, the barrier is cultural, not technical — and outdated systems are exposing organisations to avoidable risk.
2. Cyber Governance is Evolving The forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill signals a step change in expectations, requiring organisations to report material risks and controls in their annual reports. This shift will push cyber resilience up to board level, where it belongs — but we must also focus on moving beyond awareness to genuine engagement.
3. Privacy and Security by Design Throughout the event, the message was clear: we must design for risk, resilience, and effectiveness from the outset. This is as much about organisational mindset as it is about frameworks — embedding cyber thinking into every transformation journey.
4. Procurement, Standards and Accountability From Cyber Essentials to third-party risk, supply chains and procurement emerged as critical pressure points. Simply mandating standards isn’t enough — we need clear accountability, robust monitoring, and a commitment to building resilience across all layers of delivery. Check out the latest DfE Technology Standards for Cyber Security.
5. People are the Frontline From team shift patterns to simulated crisis scenarios (including a superb crisis simulation by Google Cloud and Mandiant), it’s evident that strategy will only succeed if our people are equipped, supported, and empowered to act. Human resilience is just as vital as technical controls. Has your organisations leadership team exercised its Cyber Security and/or Business Continuity Plans recently?
These reflections will undoubtedly shape our continued work with Trusts and partners. As digital transformation accelerates, the importance of secure, resilient foundations has never been clearer.
Let’s keep the conversation going — and ensure we’re not just cyber-aware, but cyber-prepared.
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