MAT-Fest 2025 is a dynamic and flexible conference for education leaders featuring plenaries, workshops, and networking focused on a variety of important topics facing MATs.
Over 30 sessions will be hosted across multiple rooms, all in 1 day, meaning you can be flexible to pick and choose the sessions that suit you...
Across the day we have the main plenary hosting a number of Trust leaders, as well as workshop rooms which are allocated focuses such as: Growth, People Strategy, SEND & Alternative Provision, AI for Trusts, Finance, Estates & Income Generation, Trust & School Improvement.
During the day, we also have a number of breaks to reflect, chat and grab refreshments!
Breakfast and Lunch will be provided for all delegates free of charge.
MAT-Fest 2025
Events For Education
08:15 am
09 Oct, 2025
Leonardo Hotel, Milton Keynes, Midsummer Boulevard Milton Keynes, MK9 2HP
MAT-Fest 2025
Events For Education
08:15 am
09 Oct, 2025
Leonardo Hotel, Milton Keynes, Midsummer Boulevard Milton Keynes, MK9 2HP
Speakers
Warren Carratt
Nexus MAT
CEO
Sponsors & Partners
The programme
08:15
Registration, Breakfast & Networking
Welcome to the conference, upon arrival we will check you in before you take a moment to grab a coffee and breakfast!
09:00
Chairs Welcoming Address
Welcome to the conference, with a short message from our chair for the day!
09:05
"How can we collaborate better from Trust to Trust?"
Adrian Rogers
CEO
Chiltern Learning Trust
This session will dive into how we often say collaboration is key. Chiltern have overseen growth from 3 schools to 20 in the ten years Adrian has been at Chiltern. Collaboration and learning from others has been key and pivotal to their success and growth. Chiltern visit three or four trusts per year for focussed visits and last year, hosted over 50 visits from a wide variety of Trusts and CEOs.
09:30
Main Plenary Session 2
Hosted by Sage
09:55
"Focusing on what is within our power as a MAT leader, not the bigger picture"
Delivered by a Trust
This session helps MAT leaders shift focus from external pressures to what they can directly influence. Through reflection and practical tools, leaders will learn to lead with clarity, build resilient teams, and create meaningful impact within their own schools.
10:20
Main Plenary Session 4
Hosted by Tremco
10:45
"Co-design, Co-Deliver, Co-Lead: A new model for distributed Trust leadership"
Delivered by a Trust
How Trusts are successfully implementing shared leadership structures and decision-making frameworks to scale improvement?
11:10
Mid-AM Refreshments & Networking Break ☕
Enjoy some chats, refreshments and snacks during the Mid-AM break, before we head into breakout/workshop sessions.
11:45
Workshop & Breakout Sessions - AM
Returning from the networking break, delegates will now move into their preferred workshop and breakout rooms, free to move between each 20 minute session.
11:45
Room 1 - Growth
Karen Burns
CEO
Victorious Academies Trust
These rooms are open for 3x 20 minute sessions. Between sessions you are free to move from room to room.
11:45 - Session 1 - TBC
12:05 - Session 2 - Hosted by Nikki Edwards, CEO, Bath & Wells MAT (TBC)
12:25 - Session 3 - Hosted by Karen Burns, CEO, Victorious MAT
11:45
Room 2 - People Strategy
These rooms are open for 3x 20 minute sessions. Between sessions you are free to move from room to room.
11:45 - Session 1 - Hosted by Wolferstans
12:05 - Session 2 - TBC
12:25 - Session 3 - TBC
11:45
Room 3 - Finance, Estates & Income Generation
These rooms are open for 3x 20 minute sessions. Between sessions you are free to move from room to room.
11:45 - Session 1 - Hosted by Baily Garner
12:05 - Session 2 - TBC
12:25 - Session 3 - Hosted by Xeinadin
12:45
Lunch, Refreshments & Networking ☕
Enjoy a complimentary hot lunch and buffet, we cater to dietary requirements also. Along with providing desserts and light snacks!
13:30
PANEL: "Controlling the Controllables: Staying focused on what's in our power"
Panel of 4 Trust Leaders
In a landscape shaped by policy changes, funding constraints, and societal pressures, how do MAT leaders stay focused on what they can influence—and make meaningful progress despite uncertainty? This honest and practical panel explores how trust leaders ground their leadership to stay focused on what can be controlled vs what cannot be.
14:00
Workshop & Breakout Sessions - PM
We are now entering our PM sessions of workshops - delegates will now move into their preferred workshop and breakout rooms, free to move between each 20 minute session.
14:00
Room 1 - AI for Trusts
These rooms are open for 3x 20 minute sessions. Between sessions you are free to move from room to room.
14:00 - Session 1 (TBC)
14:20 - Session 2 (TBC)
14:40 - Session 3 (TBC)
14:00
Room 2 - SEND & Alternative Provision
Warren Carratt
CEO
Nexus MAT
These rooms are open for 3x 20 minute sessions. Between sessions you are free to move from room to room.
14:00 - Session 1 (TBC)
14:20 - Session 2 - Hosted by Warren Carratt, CEO, Nexus MAT
14:40 - Session 3 - (TBC)
14:00
Room 3 - Trust & School Improvement
These rooms are open for 3x 20 minute sessions. Between sessions you are free to move from room to room.
14:00 - Session 1 (TBC)
14:20 - Session 2 - Hosted by Jo Garlick, CEO, Kings Education Trust (TBC)
14:40 - Session 3 - Hosted by Claire Lowe, CEO, Inspire Learning Partnership & RISE Advisor on School Improvement (TBC)
15:00
"The Power of Collective Leadership: Aligning your vision across schools"
Hosted by a Trust
Discussing how to bring multiple school leaders under a shared strategic vision, while retaining their unique identities and strengths.
15:25
"The Strategic Advantage: Aligning People, Process and Purpose"
Hosted by a Trust
A session that will explore and collate all the learnings today, detailing how high-performing Trusts align their culture, workforce, systems, and leadership structures around a clear strategy.
15:50
Chairs Closing Address
A huge thank you from our chair with a short reflection on the day and main learnings!
Book tickets
Ticket
Price
Quantity
Trust Leader Ticket (LIMITED)
£0.00 excl VAT
Limited places
Limited places
0
Private Sector Paid Ticket (LIMITED)
£500.00 excl VAT
Limited places
Limited places
0
