--- title: "What's the Joining Process?" url: "https://tssmat.staffs.sch.uk/join-us/join-our-mat/what-s-the-joining-process" school: "The Staffordshire Schools Multi Academy Trust" --- # What's the Joining Process? # Joining Our Trust: The Roadmap to Partnership We understand that choosing a Multi Academy Trust is one of the most significant decisions a Governing Body and Headteacher will ever make. Our joining process is designed to be transparent, collaborative, and—above all—built on mutual respect. We don't believe in the "hard sell"; we believe in finding the right fit for our family of schools. --- ## The Four Stages of Joining TSSMAT ### Phase 1: Exploration & Dialogue Every great partnership starts with a conversation. In this phase, we get to know each other’s values and visions. - **Initial Meeting:** An informal "coffee and chat" with our CEO, Charlene Gethin, to discuss your school’s identity and how it aligns with the TSSMAT ethos. - **School Visit:** We invite you to visit our existing academies to see our "Tree of Growth" curriculum in action and speak with our Headteachers about their experience. - **Trust Presentation:** We meet with your Full Governing Body to answer questions about autonomy, finance, and support. ### Phase 2: Formal Expression of Interest Once both parties feel there is a strong alignment, we move toward a formal proposal. - **Register of Interest:** Your Governing Body submits a formal expression of interest. - **TSSMAT Board Review:** Our Directors review the proposal to ensure the partnership strengthens both the school and the Trust. - **Department for Education (DfE) Application:** We work together to submit the necessary paperwork to the Regional Director (RD) for approval. ### Phase 3: Due Diligence & Consultation This is the "getting to know you" phase where we ensure all operational and educational aspects are fully understood. - **Shared Due Diligence:** We conduct a thorough review of finances, estates, HR, and educational standards. Simultaneously, we encourage you to perform "reverse due diligence" on us. - **Stakeholder Consultation:** We support you in running a meaningful consultation with parents, staff, and the local community to ensure their voices are heard. - **TUPE Process:** We work closely with your staff and unions to manage the transfer of employment smoothly and supportively. ### Phase 4: Integration & Welcome The final legal steps lead to a celebration of your school joining our Trust. - **Legal Conversion:** Our legal partners handle the transfer of land, contracts, and assets. - **Onboarding:** Your school is integrated into our central systems (Finance, HR, IT) with dedicated support from our Central Team. - **Our TSSMAT Welcome:** We officially welcome your pupils and staff into our "banner of love, wisdom, and excellence," starting your journey as a valued member of our collaborative family. --- ## A Bespoke Approach We recognise that every school is at a different stage of its journey. Whether you are a high-performing school looking to share expertise or a school seeking robust support to drive improvements, we tailor our onboarding process to meet your specific needs. ![The Staffordshire Schools Multi Academy Trust](https://files.schudio.com/small-schools-multi-academy-trust/images/logo/logo-footer-3.png) ### The Staffordshire Schools Multi Academy Trust Crawley Lane, Kings Bromley, Burton on Trent Staffordshire DE13 7JE 01543 472245 ### Quick Links - [Term Dates](https://tssmat.staffs.sch.uk/about-us/term-dates) - [Our Schools](https://tssmat.staffs.sch.uk/our-schools) - [Join Our MAT](https://tssmat.staffs.sch.uk/join-us/join-our-mat) - [Governance](https://tssmat.staffs.sch.uk/governance/governance-structure) - [Policies](https://tssmat.staffs.sch.uk/governance/policies) © Copyright 2019–2026 The Staffordshire Schools Multi Academy Trust School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://tssmat.staffs.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)