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<p>The department makes a range of information publicly available for schools and
other interested parties. Information on the finances of the multi-academy trust (MAT)
they intend to join is available through the schools financial benchmarking tool,
found here:</p><p><a href="https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/"
target="_blank">https://schools-financial-benchmarking.service.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p>Information
on the people involved in the governance of the trust is available, from either the
trust’s own website, or the Get Information about Schools website here:</p><p><a href="https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/"
target="_blank">https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p>The department
encourages Governing Bodies to consider this information before applying to become
an academy.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, where a school is applying for an academy order
to become an academy and join a trust, the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) will
consider the financial health of the school and the MAT the school is joining as part
of a robust assessment of the ability of the MAT to run the school. The Governing
Body of a maintained school can decide not to proceed with conversion before an academy
funding agreement is entered into.</p><p> </p><p>There are different arrangements
when a school is directed to become an academy. In this situation, the RSC, with advice
from their Headteacher Board, identifies an approved sponsor to run the school. The
finances of the school, MAT and the MATs ability to run and improve the school are
key elements that inform the decision. The sponsor is however under a duty to communicate
their plans to improve the school to parents.</p><p> </p>
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