So, What's All the Fuss About iAbacus in Catholic Schools?

Over the last few weeks, we've been writing at length about how iAbacus supports Catholic Multi-Academy Trusts (CMATs). We’ve delivered webinars, held training sessions, and worked closely with CMAT leaders and dozens of their schools.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive.

But what does this mean for you, as a headteacher? Why are heads in schools like yours giving such positive feedback?

If your CMAT isn't already using iAbacus, here are a few simple reasons why so many of your colleagues are embracing this new approach.

1. It Puts Everything in One Place

As a headteacher in a Catholic school, you have two crucial plans to manage: your School Improvement Plan (SIP) for Ofsted and your Catholic Self-Evaluation (CSED) for the Diocese.

In the past, this often meant two different documents, two different formats, and a lot of extra work.

The feedback we get from heads is one of relief. iAbacus gives them one simple, consistent home for both. It puts your Ofsted plan and your Catholic self-evaluation side-by-side, in the same easy-to-use format. It just simplifies the whole process.

2. It's Genuinely Simple to Use

This is the feedback we get most often. iAbacus is not another complex spreadsheet or a 50-page Word document.

It’s a simple, visual way to capture your team's thinking. It helps you see your school's strengths and priorities at a glance.

Because it's so straightforward, your whole team can actually use it. Middle leaders can manage their own areas, and governors can see the strategic plan without needing a three-hour meeting. It fosters collaboration, not just compliance.

3. It Connects You to Your CMAT (Without the Hassle)

You've probably heard the phrase "trust alignment" a lot. iAbacus makes it practical.

It helps your CMAT leaders see the great work you're doing, without you having to send them more reports. When your Trust has a big goal (like improving reading across all schools), they can see—and celebrate—how your school's own plans are helping to achieve it.

It’s about making it easier to share your successes and get the support you need, not about more "checking up."

Experience It for Yourself

The positive response is all about one thing: clarity.

iAbacus cuts down on paperwork and gives headteachers a clear, single view of their whole school.

If your CMAT is already on board, we'd love to help you get the most out of the platform.

If not, why not be the one to introduce it? You can try iAbacus completely free with the official Ofsted Toolkit and CSED templates, and experience the clarity for yourself.