Al Kingsley’s "My School & Multi-Academy Trust Growth Guide" is a practical guide to growing a school or multi-academy trust, drawn from Kingsley's long experience in the education sector. It suits both experienced leaders and those new to trust leadership.
Kingsley covers the detail of growing a trust, from financial challenges to staff recruitment, while keeping in view how growth affects the community and school governance. The analysis is thorough but easy to read.
The guide includes a 'Quick Checklist' to help leaders evaluate growth opportunities systematically, plus real-life case studies and questions to think through. Kingsley focuses on pupil outcomes, leadership and responsible growth, and is honest about the risks: growing a trust is as much about values and sustainability as numbers.
What do we think?
Useful for any leader or governing board considering trust growth or already growing. It tells you what to do and makes you think about why you are doing it. Highly recommended.
What it covers
The publisher lists the main considerations the guide walks through step by step:
- the opportunities and pathways for growth available to a school or trust
- balancing risk against reward
- capacity
- due diligence
It is designed to start discussions between board members and senior leaders, with checklists to support the decision.
Who it is for
Trustees, governors, CEOs and headteachers of single-academy or multi-academy trusts weighing up a merger, a new school joining, or a standalone school considering joining a trust. Read it alongside the DfE's Academy trusts: governance guide, which sets out the board's legal duties.
About the book
- Author: Al Kingsley, who draws on nearly two decades of governance experience across infant, primary, secondary, all-through and alternative provision schools and academies (publisher).
- Publisher: Hachette Learning. Paperback, 7 July 2023, 168 pages.
- ISBN: 9781398388789.
Sources: Hachette UK listing and Hachette Learning listing, checked 13 October 2026.
