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.”

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.

Let’s keep the momentum going.

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.

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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.