Why Strategic Partnerships BetweenMATs and Their Suppliers Matter MoreThan Ever

In today’s complex and accountability-driven education sector, multi-academy trusts (MATs) are expected to do more with less — delivering excellence across multiple schools while improving equity, wellbeing, and outcomes. Achieving this takes more than strong leadership; it takes the right partners.

Why Strategic Partnerships Matter

Strategic partnerships between MATs and their suppliers — particularly in high-impact areas like schoolwear — can create far-reaching benefits for pupils, parents, and leadership teams alike.

From compliance with government guidance to delivering meaningful student experiences, trusted suppliers can help MATs achieve their strategic, financial, and pastoral goals.

How Schoolwear Solutions Supports MATs:

At Schoolwear Solutions, we understand these pressures deeply. With decades of experience supporting schools and trusts, we go far beyond uniform provision. We act as a strategic ally, providing cost-effective, ethical, and student-focused solutions that strengthen your MAT’s brand, values, and outcomes.

Supporting Gatsby Benchmarks in Real Terms

The Gatsby Benchmarks are vital for MATs aiming to deliver high-quality careers education. We actively help schools meet:

Benchmark 5 – Encounters with employers and employees

Benchmark 6 – Experiences of workplaces

We do this by working directly with schools and trusts to provide:

– Retail and logistics work experience opportunities
– Mock interview days and mentoring
– Business engagement through competitions and enterprise days
– Exposure to ethical sourcing and sustainable business practices

These aren’t “add-ons” — they’re embedded in how we work. We bring the business world into the school environment in a practical, inspiring, and safe way.

Mental Wellbeing and the Discipline of Belonging

Uniform has proven benefits for mental health and school climate. Research shows:

68% of pupils feel uniform helps them “fit in”
46% believe it reduces bullying (Trutex, 2017)

A well-fitting, comfortable, and accessible uniform can enhance self-esteem, concentration, and behaviour — critical ingredients for thriving learners.

Through our appointment-based service model, we ensure one-to-one fittings for every student, removing anxiety and giving students pride in how they look.

Strategic Partnerships That Drive Educational Value

The best MAT–supplier relationships are rooted in shared values — not just transactions. Our approach ensures MATs benefit from:

– Transparent procurement aligned with government tendering guidelines
– Consistent quality across all academies with trust-wide service options
– Support for Pupil Premium strategies, second-hand uniform access, and ethical sourcing
– A unified identity that reinforces your ethos, improves student conduct, and enhances Ofsted perceptions

When your suppliers act with your strategy in mind, the partnership becomes an extension of your leadership.

Levelling Up Through Practical, Affordable Solutions

The UK government’s Levelling Up agenda calls for more inclusive and equitable educational experiences. Schoolwear can play a surprisingly powerful role in this:

– Interest-free payment plans to help families spread uniform costs without financial strain
– Durable, ethically made garments that reduce long-term spend and model sustainability
– Pre-loved services to allow parents to access quality uniform at reduced or no cost

Uniform should be a bridge to belonging — not a barrier to education. Our services remove hidden inequalities and promote dignity for every student.

Experience That Understands Education

With hundreds of years of collective experience, our team — from store managers to regional leads — understands education. Scott Glover and Ollie Buchanan, our regional managers, regularly support MATs with:

– Strategic planning
– Policy alignment
– Implementation support

We also offer:

– Direct-to-school delivery
– Online ordering with bundle discounts
– Pop-up shops at key transition times
– Help navigating compliance and stakeholder communication

We openly acknowledge that we may not always win the business — and that’s okay. Strategic partnerships are built on trust, transparency, and shared goals.

Partnering for the Future

As MATs grow in size and responsibility, the difference between a supplier and a strategic partner becomes clear:

The former sells you a product.
The latter helps you shape futures.

At Schoolwear Solutions, we don’t just sell uniforms. We support schools, parents, and pupils with purpose — helping MATs level up, fulfil Gatsby Benchmarks, meet ethical goals, and ensure every child has a positive, supported experience of school life.

Let’s talk about how we can work together to meet your trust’s objectives — this year and for many years to come.

Scott Glover – Scott.Glover@newplansolutions.co.uk
Ollie Buchanan – Oliver.Buchanan@newplansolutions.co.uk