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Welcome to the December edition of MATNews — your monthly update from the MATNetworks community!🌲Explore the latest insights, stories, and opportunities driving education forward this season. Stay connected, stay inspired, and from all at MATNetworks we wish you a very happy Christmas break when it comes. 🎅 | |
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Future MATNetworks Community Events 💬 | |
Join fellow Trust leaders and education professionals at our upcoming events — where ideas are shared, challenges are explored, and connections are made.
📅 Save the dates and be part of the local conversation driving improvement across the education sector in your region.
5th February 2026 - MATNetworks South East Event
Chair: Catherine Stalham, CEO South Essex Academy Trust
18th March 2026 MATNetworks The East Midlands Event
Chair: Kathy Hardy, Affinity Learning Partnership
23rd April 2026 MATNetworks The West Midlands Event
Chair: Carla Whela, Empower Multi Academy Trust
1st October 2026 MATNetworks South East Event Chair: Catherine Stalham, CEO South Essex Academy Trust
4th November 2026 MATNetworks West Midlands Event Chair: Carla Whela, Empower Multi Academy Trust
Watch this space for some exciting announcements about our expansion into the South West Region where we will be hosting events in May too!
Click the links to register as a delegate and if you'd like to exhibit with us please contact Lucy to find out more.
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Why Teachers Experience Burnout. | |
Teaching is often described and regarded as a rewarding vocation, yet it can feel that the emotional, mental, and physical demands are relentless, with long hours, often over 51hrs each week for teachers and up to 57hrs for leaders, combined with evening and weekend work, unpaid overtime, and pressure to fill staffing gaps. Many teachers are left feeling guilty for prioritising their own wellbeing amid a culture where their jobs continue to invade every aspect of life. The impact on health and morale is profound, with some staff reporting that stress “always” affects them and even holidays fail to offer true respite. | |
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Community with Purpose: The Foundation of Success | |
The de Ferrers Leadership Team, part of The Affinity Learning Partnership, really live their values.
The basis for their success has been consistency, whether in behaviour, teaching and learning, or SEND. When expectations remain clear and applied fairly, everyone understands what “good” looks like and feels part of a shared standard. This stability builds trust, promotes calm, and enables progress. Equally important is explaining the why behind their decisions. When staff, students, and parents understand the reasoning and intent, they are more likely to engage positively and with purpose. A consistent approach, underpinned by clear communication and transparency, strengthens culture, aligns community, and ensures that every action contributes meaningfully to long-term success and improvement.
Every child deserves the chance to achieve. | |
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The Importance of Developing Empathy
In the Classroom. | |
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At First Give, we see every day how powerful empathy can be in shaping young people’s attitudes and actions. Teaching empathy in the classroom helps students understand diverse perspectives, build stronger relationships, and respond thoughtfully to the world around them. It encourages kindness, resilience, and a sense of shared humanity – qualities that extend far beyond school walls. When empathy is woven into everyday teaching, lessons become opportunities for connection and reflection. Nurturing empathy helps create not only more compassionate classrooms, but a more understanding and socially responsible generation for the future. | |
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Martyn's Law marks a new chapter in School Safety. | |
As advised by Geldards, one of the country's talented law firms, from April 2025, The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act (‘the Act’), also known as Martyn’s Law, received royal assent. Named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the Manchester Arena attack, the Act introduces a new legal framework to strengthen security and safeguarding measures for schools and public venues where 200 people (or more) are reasonably expected to be present.For schools, Martyn’s Law marks an important step forward in keeping children safe in education (KCSIE). It builds on existing responsibilities to protect pupils, staff, and visitors by requiring practical and proportionate safety measures across school operations. | |
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Changes in the PE Curriculum.
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Recently, as expected, Beyond The Physical's feed recently was filled with discussion about the new Curriculum and Assessment Review for Physical Education (PE), School Sport and Play. The excitement, optimism and professional debate were clear to see — and rightly so. | | | |
The review represented a significant opportunity to raise the profile of physical education and ensure that every child experienced high-quality, inclusive PE that built confidence, competence and a lifelong love of movement.Sector leaders, including the Association for Physical Education (afPE), described it as a “new chapter” for PE, school sport and play — and it certainly felt that way.
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The 4C's of Online Safety.
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AmazingICT have produced a FREE poster for use by staff. It is based on the 4Cs of Online Safety and includes updates from KCSIE 2025 (including AI). It is ideal for display in the staff room or use in staff meetings to keep staff updated. The 4Cs are:
- Content: Relate Online Safety to existing values in school. - Contact: Group activities & discussion provides opportunity for reflection. - Conduct: It's important to reiterate the need to talk to other humans, AI doesn't have emotions - Commerce: Support parents by sharing a range of resources | | | |
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Mastering Early Numeracy: Build Strong Maths Foundations in Early Years.
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3P Learning’s Early Numeracy guide highlights the importance of strong maths foundations in the early years, emphasising benefits such as improved problem-solving, logical reasoning, and overall academic performance. The guide is aimed at school leaders, teachers, and parents looking to support early maths development and close learning gaps before they widen.
Alongside the guide, 3P Learning offers early-years programmes like Mathseeds and Matheltics, designed to build core numeracy skills through engaging, evidence-based digital learning. Their tools are used globally across schools and home settings, providing structured, age-appropriate support that helps children progress confidently from early years through primary education. | |
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It can be quite a task to transform your space without the right expertise. Why not look at suppliers who can help take the questions from you and offer their support. ESPO’s Project Team can provide tailored solutions that fit your needs, budget, and vision. Whether you are furnishing an entire building or ordering a large quantity of classroom tables and chairs, you can get their support from planning and design to sourcing, installation, and completion. | |
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Join The MATNetworks Community.
Regional MATNetworks are designed to bring together Trust leaders, and those aspiring to Trust and School leadership, within localised regions throughout the UK.
MATNetworks events are focused spaces for real conversations, mutual support, and practical advice-sharing among those who live and lead in the same communities.
MATNetworks creates a community that thrives beyond events. Mentoring offers tailored support to individual people’s needs.
Our new MATNetworks platform will allow you to Be a Mentor, Find a Mentor, Get Expert Advice.
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You can now view all event presentations in our Community Members Area. | |
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New features coming to this area soon too! | |
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If you'd like to find out more about us, we'd love to meet you. | |
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You can also follow us on our LinkedIn and X social media accounts. | |
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🎅We wish you a Happy Christmas break, not long now!🎅 The MATNetworks Team | |
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