MATchmaker is our new smart-search growth tool for MAT leaders, designed to help you find the right schools to approach outside your current organisation - quickly, confidently and strategically.
Instead of juggling spreadsheets, outdated lists or multiple websites, MATchmaker brings everything into one place so you can discover schools that may be a strong cultural, operational and long-term fit.
With MATchmaker you can:
- Filter by location, phase, type, Ofsted rating, size, inspection framework and financial picture
- Filter by MIS provider - ideal if you're standardising systems across the trust
- Choose whether to include schools already in a SAT or MAT, (for collaboration or potential future mergers)
- Overlay your own schools on the map to build a clear picture of your current and potential footprint
- Bookmark and save target schools for later review and strategy discussions
MATchmaker is available to Observatory Premium users only.
How It Works
MATchmaker uses an intuitive map interface which focuses on schools that are not yet part of your Trust.
Each school pin provides instant insight at a glance:
Roof colour: Ofsted Leadership Grade
Base colour: Financial position (In-Year Balance)
Letter: School Phase (P = Primary, S = Secondary, A = All Through, etc.)
Size: Number on Roll (NOR)
You can filter and search to refine your results by:
School Phase or Type
Ofsted Rating
In Year Balance
Number on Roll
This makes it simple to identify schools with strong leadership, sound finances, and the right scale or location for your Trust’s ambitions. You can also search for schools in a specific area, such as a local authority, and the search will direct your map straight to that location.
Using MATchmaker
1. Open MATchmaker
From your Observatory toolbar, hover over Maps and select MATchmaker.
The interactive map will load, displaying schools that are not currently part of your organisation.
2. Apply Filters
Use the filters above the map to refine your search and find schools that best fit your Trust’s goals.
You can filter by:
Inspection Framework Sections – identify schools with specific framework grading.
Financial Position (In-Year Balance) – view schools with positive or stable budgets.
School Size (Number on Roll) – target schools that match your desired scale.
You can combine multiple filters to narrow your results further.
Note: When searching via the search bar, your filters affect the results. So, if you cannot locate a school you know the details for, double-check your filters.
3. Understand the School Pins
Each pin on the map is designed to give you instant insight at a glance:
Roof colour: Ofsted Leadership Grade
Base colour: Financial Position (In-Year Balance)
Letter: School Phase (e.g. P = Primary, S = Secondary, A = All Through)
Size: Number on Roll (NOR)
💡 Special schools are shown under the ‘Other’ phase and include a star next to the phase on their pin.
Click Key in the bottom-left corner of the map to see a full breakdown of what each icon represents.
Note: School roofs are based on Ofsted Grade: Leadership, as this is the only consistent grade between the 2019 and 2025 Frameworks.
4. Explore a School
Click on any school pin to open a detailed side panel.
Here you’ll find useful information such as:
Ofsted details and the most recent inspection outcomes
Financial summary
MIS provider
Number on Roll
Contact and location details
This provides a quick yet comprehensive overview of each school’s context before making contact or exploring further. It also offers the ability to click into each section, which takes you directly to a government website with more detailed information.
5. Take the Next Step
Use your MATchmaker insights to shortlist potential schools and guide your outreach strategy.
Each interaction starts with the data, helping your Trust identify strong, sustainable, and well-matched schools for future growth.
Once you've identified a potential school, click on its pin, and click the Bookmark icon to add it to your shortlist. It's as simple as that!
To view your list of bookmarked schools, click the Bookmark icon in the bottom-left corner of the map. You'll be presented with a list of your bookmarked schools. Select the 'Pin' icon to be taken directly to the school's location on the map, and an additional information panel will also open.
6. Use the View Toggle
At the top of the MATchmaker map, you’ll find a view toggle that lets you include different school groups within your search. This helps you increase your scope on the type of schools you want to analyse:
My Organisation – an overlay that includes the schools currently within your Trust.
My Bookmarks – quickly access the schools you’ve shortlisted for further consideration.
MATs – include schools that are already part of another Multi-Academy Trust.
Schools in Single Academy Trusts (SATs) – include schools that are in SATs.
Use these options to pivot your view and compare contexts easily. Combined with your filters, the toggle makes it simple to manage your search flow and keep track of potential opportunities.
🛠️ Reporting Incorrect Data
If you spot anything that doesn’t look right, such as an incorrect URN, outdated headteacher details, or missing information, you can report it directly from MATchmaker.
Click the three dots in the school’s side panel and select Report incorrect data. This will open a short Typeform where you can specify what information is incorrect so our team can review and update it.
📘 Data Sources
All information displayed in MATchmaker and Maps is sourced from publicly accessible data. This includes Ofsted, financial returns, school characteristics, and other government-published datasets.
MATchmaker is not connected directly to any school’s MIS system, so data is refreshed based on the latest publicly available updates.