Department for Education brings back the Primary Academy Chain Development Grant

The Department for Education (DfE) has reintroduced the Primary Academy Chain Development Grant to encourage more primary schools to set up or join multi-academy trusts (MATs).  There are now three grants available:

1. Groups of three primary schools intending to set up a MAT can apply for a one-off grant of £75,000, plus up to £5,000 extra for each additional primary joining the MAT at the same time. The MAT can also include a secondary school, but must consist of a majority of primaries.

2. Groups of two or more primary schools joining an existing MAT at the same time can apply for a one-off grant of £20,000 per school.

3. Small primary schools joining a MAT are also eligible for an additional grant of £5,000 per school (for schools with 100 pupils or fewer) or £2,000 (for schools with between 100 and 210 pupils).

More detail about eligibility and how to claim can be found in DfE's document Primary academy chain development grant: grant offer and claim form.

For more information please contact [email protected] or 0191 211 7929.