What MAT Leaders Look For When Procuring a New Website

A Multi Academy Trust website is far more than a communications tool.

It’s often the public face of the organisation, supporting everything from governance and recruitment to stakeholder engagement and school growth.

As a result, choosing the right website partner is an important decision.

Whether you’re replacing an outdated platform or planning a trust-wide digital strategy, understanding what matters most during procurement can help ensure a successful project.

Why MAT Websites Are Different

Unlike a standalone school website, a Multi Academy Trust website often serves multiple audiences.

These may include:

• Parents
• Pupils
• Staff
• Prospective employees
• Governors
• Trustees
• Local authorities
• Community stakeholders

A successful website needs to balance all of these requirements while remaining easy to manage and maintain.

1. A Clear Understanding of the Education Sector

Trust leaders want to work with partners who understand schools.

Website providers should be familiar with:

• MAT structures
• Governance requirements
• Recruitment challenges
• Parent communication needs
• Education compliance

A deep understanding of the sector often leads to a smoother project and better outcomes.

2. Scalability for Future Growth

Many trusts are expanding.

A website should be able to grow alongside the organisation without requiring a complete rebuild every few years.

Key considerations include:

• Additional schools
• New content sections
• Recruitment growth
• Future integrations

A scalable website protects long-term investment.

3. Easy Content Management

Even the most impressive website will struggle if it’s difficult to update.

Trust leaders often look for systems that allow staff to:

• Publish news
• Update policies
• Manage vacancies
• Add new schools
• Maintain content efficiently

Simple content management reduces ongoing workload.

4. Accessibility and Compliance

Accessibility is no longer optional.

A modern trust website should support users of all abilities and align with current accessibility expectations.

Compliance considerations may include:

• Accessibility standards
• Privacy policies
• Governance information
• Statutory content

These elements are often a key part of procurement discussions.

5. Recruitment Functionality

Staff recruitment has become a major priority for many trusts.

An effective website can help attract high-quality candidates by providing:

• Careers information
• Vacancy listings
• Staff benefits
• Trust culture content
• Application guidance

For many MATs, recruitment is now one of the most important sections of the website.

6. Consistent Branding Across Schools

Trust leaders often want a digital presence that reflects both the trust identity and the individuality of each school.

The right website structure should support:

• Consistent design standards
• Flexible school content
• Strong trust branding
• Positive user experience

Achieving this balance is often a key objective.

7. Strong User Experience

Visitors should be able to find information quickly and easily.

Good website design focuses on:

• Clear navigation
• Mobile responsiveness
• Fast loading times
• Intuitive user journeys

A positive user experience improves engagement and trust.

8. Strategic Advice, Not Just Design

Many MAT leaders are looking for more than a website supplier.

They want a partner who can provide guidance on:

• Website structure
• User journeys
• Brand positioning
• Content strategy
• Future growth

Strategic input often delivers greater long-term value than design alone.

Questions MAT Leaders Should Ask Before Choosing a Website Provider

When evaluating suppliers, consider asking:

• Do they specialise in education?
• Have they worked with Multi Academy Trusts before?
• Can the platform grow with the trust?
• Is the system easy for staff to manage?
• How do they approach accessibility?
• What ongoing support is available?

The answers can reveal a great deal about a provider’s suitability.

Final Thoughts

A Multi Academy Trust website is a significant investment that should support communication, recruitment and long-term growth.

The most successful projects begin with a clear understanding of organisational goals and a partner who understands the unique challenges facing trusts.

At Design For Schools, we work with schools and Multi Academy Trusts to create engaging, scalable websites that support both immediate needs and future ambitions.