Multi-Academy Trusts

Executive Search and Recruitment

We are a well-established head-hunting company with a 15 year track record in educational search and placement of executive staff for some of the top UK and international school groups, and their schools and academies.

We have excellent networks and extensive links into the national and global pool of high calibre education and public-sector professionals. These are outstanding individuals who have directly benefited the communities that they serve across the world, through their outstanding leadership and focus on exceptional quality provision.

We know what you need when you are looking for a new Director of HR, or Director of Finance, Executive Principal or Director of Education for your Trust, and critically we know where to find high quality candidates beyond the current small pool of colleagues moving from one trust to another, so that you can have secure leadership that stays to have maximum impact.

In our experience, outstanding education leaders are most likely to be found through private, targeted search. As well as our own considerable database of 5500 candidates, AMC uses its extensive contacts, internationally and in the UK, to search for and identify the best possible candidates.  Our knowledge of the sector and insight into MATs and their different needs at the different stages in their growth are brought directly into our search activity, and we filter and assess potential candidates for each role with care, sensitivity and in confidence.

Our role in executive search is to ensure that your time remains focussed on the MAT and its children and pupils – while we do the intensive work to seek out and secure great candidates for your vacant post.

Our offer of first class recruitment solutions is augmented by our consultancy for leadership development at all levels, and school improvement support. We provide:

  • guidance on governance –expanding a small MAT to reviews of effectiveness and impact
  • leadership development – from one-off bespoke sessions for middle leaders to coaching alongside existing qualifications or tailored to specific needs
  • appraisal of senior MAT staff

Ours is a high stakes education world, and investment of the right expertise at the right time and of the right nature supports success. We understand the breadth and complexity of many MATs which can include Free schools, studio schools and both converter and sponsor academies, and faith schools; as well as a strong understanding of both the legislative framework for these different schools, and the requirements of EFA, Ofsted and DfE.

Increasingly, we are working with a range of clients on the identification and management of talent across organisations in MATS.

Our MAT-focussed consultant team brings an expertise and insight into academy and MAT improvement, through their own significant experience as CEOs, Executive Heads and MAT trustees and members. Leadership development and enhancement is key to an effective MAT and alongside this, we bring our knowledge and expertise in school improvement across the range of school sectors, from primary to secondary, from small studio school and free schools to large all-through academies.

Performance management and appraisal of senior MAT staff, including CEOs, is an area that we do a significant amount of work in, and we promise both confidentiality and rigour in the process, working closely with the Board and CEO, as appropriate.

Our associates have significant experience in:

  • Work with schools and academies in preparing for inspection (both Ofsted s.5 and s.8 – and ISI);
  • Carrying out safeguarding audits, with a focus on the curriculum and pastoral dimensions of safeguarding;
  • Website content review and MAT policy suites to ensure compliance with the most recent legislation and guidance.

A detailed summary report is available for all work, providing comfort to trustees and external audiences, supporting internal leadership processes and judgements.

Our track record and pedigree make us uniquely placed to provide impetus and support to your MAT. 

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