Durrington Multi Academy Trust

Why DMAT?

Who are DMAT?

Durrington Multi Academy Trust is a small trust based in West Sussex. We are committed to supporting and freeing up school leaders so they can focus their time on evidence-informed approaches to teacher development, that will enhance pupil learning.

Durrington Multi Academy Trust was founded in 2014. We currently comprise of Durrington High School, The Laurels Primary School, Durrington Research School and The South Downs SCITT.

One powerful example is the Durrington Multi Academy Trust in West Sussex, which has identified six key principles for teaching that they know work and embedded these in everything they do, enabling all staff to focus on great teaching, day after day. It’s simple but incredibly effective. In other words, it works.

We’re investing in strong multi academy trusts like this, so they can support even more schools.

Rt Hon. Gavin Williamson - Secretary of State for Education

Why join the DMAT journey?

You can trust us to work with you to deliver significant improvement

Our ethos and culture is built upon decades of success from school leaders within DMAT who understand the challenges of working in schools in our locality. The education of the young people we serve is too important to be left to chance. We know what is needed to help them grow, flourish and go beyond their best.

We will free school leaders' time to focus on their core purpose.

Within DMAT we have a strong framework of policies, systems and support, including financial, HR and legal services. This support frees up school leaders within our schools to focus on their core purpose – improving the quality of teaching and learning.

We understand that schools are unique organisations

At DMAT we understand that one size doesn’t fit all. We also want our schools to maintain their individual identity, within the DMAT framework. So, we take the time to get to know our schools, understand their context and the challenges they are facing. This then allows us to work together to formulate a bespoke and high impact plan to secure success for all.

Our focus on an evidence informed approach frames effective professional development

Having only one of 32 Research Schools within the trust means that the use of evidence is at the heart of everything we do. This ensures that we have a wide ranging and flexible programme of support and development activities for teachers and leaders, based on the most relevant and up to date educational research. This means that DMAT staff focus their efforts on what works – and not what might work.

Get in touch Aggie Gemel (agemel@dmat.education) to arrange an informal, confidential conversation

I am able to draw on other DMAT leaders for finance, site and HR/legal support leaving me to focus on my children, staff and school. The school has become secure financially and the site facilities continuously improve.

Thanks to our strong relationship with the Durrington Research School, our staff and practice are evidence informed.

Charlotte Bull, Headteacher, The Laurels Primary School

The support provided by DMAT has been unparalleled. From the Research school’s leadership of teaching and learning, to the SCITT enabling us to recruit the very best ECTs the support to Durrington High School has been hugely beneficial.

As a school leader there continues to be a huge amount of expert background support that enables us to focus on our core purpose, from legal to HR, wellbeing to admissions there is nothing that DMAT doesn’t offer.

Chris Woodcock, Head of School, Durrington High School