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Strategic Growth and Development

At the heart of educational transformation, our Strategic Growth and Development  team empowers schools, trusts, and local authorities to rethink how they operate and grow. Formerly focused solely on MAT (Multi-Academy Trust) development, we’ve evolved beyond that. We now specialise in creating tailored strategies that align educational ambition with effective structures, helping institutions succeed in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Whether you’re expanding, redefining your goals, or strengthening governance, we offer the expertise to help you thrive. Our flexible, collaborative approach ensures every journey is unique and impactful.

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Strategic Growth and Development

Our Strategic Growth and Development service helps educational institutions identify and implement governance frameworks that suit their unique needs and aspirations. We work collaboratively with leadership teams to co-design practical roadmaps for organisational development, going beyond traditional MAT models to explore the full spectrum of structural possibilities in today's evolving education landscape.

Who it’s for:

  • Schools considering forming or joining a multi-academy trust
  • Existing trusts looking to refine their governance structure
  • Local authorities exploring new educational frameworks
  • Maintained schools evaluating structural options
  • Federations seeking to optimise their organisational model
  • Educational institutions interested in innovative partnership arrangements

Key Benefits

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Tailored Strategic Planning

Receive customised guidance based on your specific context, challenges, and future aspirations rather than one-size-fits-all solutions.

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Comprehensive Expertise

Access professionals with years of experience, up-to-date policy knowledge, and deep understanding of the education landscape.

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Beyond Traditional Models

Explore innovative structural options beyond conventional MAT frameworks, opening doors to creative and future-proof development.

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Collaborative Development

Co-design practical roadmaps with experts who work alongside your leadership team through the entire process.

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Community-Focused Solutions

Create structures that are not only strategic and sustainable but also aligned with your educational community's needs.

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Implementation Support

Move from planning to action with 
practical guidance on executing your chosen structural changes.

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Leadership & Governance Support

Our Leadership & Governance Support service helps educational institutions develop the skills, systems, and strategic vision needed for exceptional performance. We go beyond basic compliance to foster bold, confident leadership that drives meaningful impact through bespoke training, strategic planning sessions, and ongoing mentoring that transforms governance effectiveness.

Who it’s for:

  • Governing boards seeking to enhance their effectiveness
  • Executive teams navigating strategic challenges
  • Educational leaders focusing on professional development
  • Trusts aligning values and vision across multiple sites
  • Schools experiencing leadership transitions
  • Organisations expanding or restructuring their board

Key Benefits

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Excellence Beyond Compliance

Develop governance that exceeds minimum standards to deliver exceptional educational leadership and strategic direction.

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Bespoke Development Solutions

Access customised training and mentoring tailored 
to your specific leadership challenges and organisational context.

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Strategic Clarity

Gain the frameworks and insight needed to articulate and implement a compelling vision.

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Leadership Cohesion

Build aligned, confident teams that work effectively across all levels of governance and leadership.

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Practical Implementation Support

Transform theoretical governance principles 
into actionable strategies with ongoing expert guidance.

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Sustainable Leadership Capacity

Create robust leadership systems that 
maintain effectiveness through transitions and organisational change.

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School & Trust Growth Planning

Our School and Trust Growth Planning service helps educational institutions develop sustainable, strategic expansion plans that serve communities and enhance educational outcomes. We guide schools and trusts through every step of the growth journey, from capacity evaluation and landscape assessment to scenario modeling and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that growth is both viable and values-led.

Who it’s for:

  • Schools considering forming or joining a multi-academy trust
  • Existing trusts planning for expansion
  • Educational institutions reshaping their local offer
  • Leadership teams evaluating growth opportunities
  • Organisations needing due diligence support
  • Trusts seeking to scale while maintaining their mission and values

Key Benefits

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Strategic Precision

Develop growth plans based on thorough analysis rather than opportunity alone, ensuring expansion serves your core purpose.

comprehensive-assessment

Comprehensive Assessment

Receive expert evaluation of your capacity, 
local educational landscape, and various growth scenarios.

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Values-Led Scaling

Maintain integrity and mission focus while building capacity to serve more pupils effectively.

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Due Diligence Support

Navigate complex evaluation processes with expert guidance to identify potential challenges before 
they arise.

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Stakeholder Engagement

Implement effective communication strategies 
that build support for growth among all 
community stakeholders.

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Sustainable Expansion

Create growth models that enhance educational outcomes while remaining financially and operationally viable.

"EPM has been invaluable in considering whether to form a MAT between our group of schools. Having them as an experienced, impartial party helping us navigate the process has been extremely helpful as they already know the tough questions we should be anticipating, and asking ourselves, as well as the challenges to expect based on the academy projects they have and are currently supporting"

Emma Shearer , Headteacher, Riverside Primary School

Speak to the Team

Contact us today and find out how we could help your school or trust to excel.