Why Multi Academy Trusts Need Centralised Telecoms

The government’s push for academisation to improve efficiency and resource sharing has fuelled the rapid growth of Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), increasing the need for centralised systems like telecoms to support trust-wide communication and consistency.

Many MATs are discovering that managing individual phone systems at each school leads to inefficiencies, increased costs, and inconsistent communication. However, centralising your phone system can solve these issues by improving connectivity, reducing overheads, and supporting trust-wide collaboration. 

Governance and Guidelines 

For strong trust governance and effective resource management, centralising your telecoms is a strategic step that enables consistency, standardisation and cost savings across all academies.  

The Department for Education (DfE) encourages MATs to operate with strong, centralised governance and efficient use of resources. Centralising your telecoms aligns with this strategy, supporting: 

• Trust-wide consistency in operations 
• Smarter procurement and value for money 
• Enhanced digital infrastructure readiness 

Benefits for your Multi Academy Trust 

• Seamless Communication – Centralising your phone system connects all your schools through one unified platform. 
• Budget Management -Maintaining multiple systems means managing multiple contracts. With centralisation, MATs benefit from only one provider with one bill. 
• Improved Safeguarding and Compliance -Central systems offer robust safeguarding features, such as call recording and logging across all schools and consistent policies.  
• Scalable and Future-Ready – As your MAT expands, a centralised system can quickly accommodate new schools and sites and new technologies. 
• One Point of Support – A single system means fewer technical issues and faster resolutions with centralised maintenance and a simplified partner relationship. 

Implementation Guide 

Transitioning to a centralised phone system may seem complex, but with the right provider, it can be seamless process. At Tel Group, we guide MATs through every stage of the transition, from assessment to installation and ongoing support. 

Step-by-step approach: 

1. Trust-wide telecoms audit – Review existing systems, contracts, and costs across your academies. 
2. Consultation and planning – Identify goals (e.g. cost savings, features, consistency) and map out a phased rollout. 
3. Customised system design – We’ll design a cloud-based solution tailored to your trust’s structure and future expansion plans. 
4. Professional installation and training – Installation with minimal disruption to everyday operations. We will train your staff and support you through any queries. 
5. Ongoing support and scalability – You’ll benefit from one point of contact, proactive support, and systems that grow with you. 

Working with Tel Group 

We specialise in delivering telecoms solutions to the education sector, supporting MATs with the tools they need to operate efficiently and securely. When you work with Tel Group, you benefit from: 

• Education-focused expertise 
• DfE-aligned solutions for trust governance and ICT infrastructure 
• One stop shop for all technology needs 

Our cloud-based systems are built for education, with VoIP, your trust benefits from reduced call costs, flexible working capabilities, voicemail-to-email, and built-in safeguarding tools such as call recording and secure data storage.  

With a single provider, one support team, and a fully centralised system, we help MATs reduce costs, enhance communication, and stay ready for growth. 

Start your journey towards a fully centralised telecoms system for your MAT today. 

Centralise Your MAT’s Telecoms with Tel Group

Name *

First

Last

Phone

Email *

School Name & Postcode *

Message

Please give us a brief description of your enquiry.

Send Message