MAT IT Solutions

Multi Academy Trust IT Solutions

Connected. Standardised. Secure. Designed for MAT growth.

As MATs expand, the demands on ICT grow exponentially — multiple schools, scattered geographies, differing infrastructures, duplicated systems, rising cybersecurity expectations, and the need for Trust wide consistency. Oakford provides end to end solutions built specifically for Trusts, enabling centralised control, standardisation, secure collaboration, and full scalability across every academy. With over 20 years supporting schools and MATs nationwide, our solutions evolve with your Trust’s ambitions.

MAT Wide Connectivity & Infrastructure

MPLS Private MAT Connectivity

A single, private, secure network for the entire Trust.

Our MPLS-based MAT connectivity solution uses Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) to create a private routing domain for your Trust. Regardless of the geographical spread of your academies, each site can communicate securely as though they were all on one large LAN.

What this means for your MAT:

Private, secure inter-site communication
No internet exposure for internal traffic
No VPNs required between schools
Access shared services (finance, MIS, curriculum resources) across any site
Centralised systems without performance compromise
A scalable WAN designed to grow with the Trust

Your network connects directly to Oakford’s Points of Presence (POPs), ensuring fast, secure MAT-wide communication.

Shared MAT Cloud Systems

Shared MAT Cloud IT Environment

Centralised cloud infrastructure for all academies.

Migrating to a shared cloud solution provides:

Increased resilience with systems hosted in multiple UK datacentres
Stronger security, centrally enforced
Unified access across all schools or even from home
Lower on-site hardware costs
MAT-wide deployments of updates, software, and policies
Rapid rollout of new solutions across all academies simultaneously

This is the foundation for MAT-level standardisation, simplification, and long-term scalability.

MAT Cloud Services

Single Microsoft 365 Tenant Migrations

Enable true MAT wide collaboration.

Moving all schools into a single Office 365 tenant allows:

Consistent security and compliance policies
Unified identity management
Cross-school Teams collaboration
MAT-wide remote learning
Shared resources and communication groups
Easier onboarding for new schools

Your staff and students gain seamless collaboration capabilities, independent of their physical location.

Single, Cloud Hosted VoIP for the Entire MAT

A Trust-wide VoIP phone system allows all academies to call each other by extension as if they were in the same building — at no internal cost.

Key benefits:

One unified system across the MAT
Call groups spanning academies
Softphone and mobile app options
Holiday cover from any location
No need for individual school reception cover
Reduced telecom costs

Hosted MIS & Finance Systems

A MAT-centralised MIS or finance system enables:

Faster access for central teams
Improved data consistency
Standardised workflows
Secure remote access
Reduced on-site hardware and maintenance

Oakford supports a wide range of education MIS platforms and can host, manage, and secure them centrally.

Central Backup & Disaster Recovery

Trust-wide backup and DR ensures:

Consistent protection across all academies
Automated, centrally managed backups
Faster recovery times
Compliance with DfE cybersecurity expectations
Significant reduction of risk at individual school level

MAT Focused IT Support Services

End User Remote Support

Our service desk opens at 8:00am — early enough for staff to get support before lessons begin, with friendly, highly skilled engineers who understand school environments.

MAT On-Site Support

Regular on site visits ensure staff and students receive hands on help, coaching, and troubleshooting. The engineer becomes a familiar face across your schools.

Fully Managed IT Support

We shift the focus from firefighting server issues to supporting teaching and learning. Infrastructure is proactively monitored 24/7, and staff enjoy faster resolution times and smoother ICT experiences.

Strategic Development

An experienced consultant meets with you each term to shape a 3 year MAT technology plan, bringing proven solutions used across other MATs and schools.

Cyber Security

We strengthen MAT wide cybersecurity through training, system hardening, filtering guidance, and compliance alignment with DfE and KCSIE expectations.

Escalation Support

Each school receives an integrated helpdesk system, ensuring issues are logged centrally and escalated seamlessly to Oakford's team for rapid resolution.

Why MATs Choose Oakford

Education Experts

Over 20 years supporting primary schools, secondary schools, SEN, academies, colleges, and MATs across the UK.

Independent & Unbiased

We partner with all major vendors — you get the most suitable solution, not a locked in one.

Trusted Provider

Most new schools join us through referrals, demonstrating the strength of our service and relationships.

DBS Checked Engineers

All staff are DBS checked and trained in safeguarding compliance.

Local & Responsive

We choose office locations strategically to stay close to our schools, and all engineers are employed staff — not contractors.

One Provider, One Point of Contact

No juggling vendors. No passing between suppliers. One accountable partner managing the entire MAT IT ecosystem.

Ready to Transform Your MAT's IT?

If you feel one of these options could benefit your Trust, get in touch for a free consultation.

IT Solutions

Cloud Solutions

Communication

Technology