Confederation of School Trusts

We are delighted to announce the first of our keynote speakers for our 2024 Annual Conference, who will bring their own unique takes on #building, sharing experiences from both within education and the wider public realm. Our speakers include: - HM Chief Inspector, Sir Martyn Oliver - Sir Martin's 30-year career in education started as a teacher and he most recently served as Chief Executive of Outwood Grange Academies Trust - Scientist and broadcaster, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE - Dame Maggie is passionate about inspiring the public, and particularly children, to understand science - Chair of the NHS Confederation, Lord Victor Adebowale CBE - Lord Adebowale worked for charities focusing on homelessness and social and health care, and now oversees the sector body for NHS trusts - Star Academies Chief Executive, Sir Hamid Patel CBE - Sir Hamid has led Star since its inception, with particular focuses on teacher training, leadership development, community cohesion, curriculum reform and social mobility   In total we will welcome around 120 speakers to the event through our keynotes and workshops, with further details of the programme to be unveiled shortly. Tickets are available to book now on our dedicated annual conference website: https://lnkd.in/e6mStTPT #CSTConf24

💻 CST Essential Trustee Programme 📍Online sessions starting Thursday 26 September We're delighted to have governance expert Jackie Eason MBE and guest speakers join us again in September to deliver this programme, which will equip delegates with the core knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to effectively fulfil their duties as trustees. This course is designed both for trustees that are new to trust governance, and experienced trustees who would like to refresh their knowledge. Each of the eight sessions will provide an overview of a particular function of governance within the four key domains: board leadership, the structures of trust governance, accountability and compliance. This is an engaging and interactive course that looks to build skills and confidence across the key areas of education quality, finance and safeguarding, while providing a safe space to discuss challenges and ask questions. For group bookings we can offer a bespoke package including a CST consultant mentor to facilitate reflections during the course. Explore and book now: https://lnkd.in/eHEWhHSE

In our new blog, Mark Solomons, CEO and founder of Welbee, discusses the importance of organisational wellbeing, and how leaders can improve it. He highlights some small actions to implement each day to help staff feel valued, and explains why it's time to start making changes now. Read the full blog on our website: https://lnkd.in/eVGtHirN #wellbeing #mentalhealth

We are excited to announce RM Education as the drinks sponsor for our Annual Conference 24! Sarah Haythornthwaite, Growth Director at RM said: “RM Technology proudly supports the Confederation of School Trusts through our platinum partnership. Through our work with the majority of trusts across the country, we experience their drive to improve educational outcomes while collaborating to bring the benefits of creative technology use in education. "Our sponsorship of the drinks receptions springs from our role of helping share best practice and future innovations. It is a small expression of thanks for the exceptional work undertaken by trusts to celebrate this growing community of inspirational leaders and to promote networking within it.” Explore our Annual Conference programme and book now: https://lnkd.in/e6mStTPT #CSTConf24 #Building

In our new blog, Havva Baskal, Head of Partnerships and Events at Tes showcases the CST members who won awards at this year's Tes School Awards. Congratulations to all the winners! Learn more about them on our website: https://lnkd.in/ezcmjuJP

🚨 New CST paper - School trusts as civic institutions 🚨 School trusts exist to provide education - but as charities they also have a wider civic role. Today, many schools exist as the last civic institution in their communities. This report, produced in association with Browne Jacobson explores how trusts are working with pupils, parents, public services, charities, and businesses to help pupils do better on both sides of the school gates. Download it here: https://zurl.co/8Adw

Ethnic diversity in schools in England remains a challenge for all of us. Our new discussion paper is informed by National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER)'s research and by practical feedback from CST member trusts and other sector colleagues about their approaches and challenges. It seeks to offer some concrete steps that school trusts can make to take real ownership of encouraging diversity, and to encourage innovative thought about new approaches to recruitment, retention and progression and, importantly, governance. Download it here: https://zurl.co/bBKx

Thank you to everyone who attended our inaugural CST CEO Leadership Summit which was sponsored by Sync, Arbor Education and Saxton Bampfylde. Held in association with Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), Ambition Institute and Challenge Partners, it was a fantastic two days of exploring a very important theme - #ShapingTrustCulture, looking at school leadership, culture, climate and structure for staff retention. We hope found the event valuable and will be able to join us again next year. Our second CEO Leadership Summit will be taking place on 7 & 8 July 2025, and you can register for updates on our website: https://lnkd.in/ehtB__Gh Thank you to our speakers Leora Cruddas CBE, Sinéad Mc Brearty, Luke Sparkes, Hilary Spencer, Sir Hamid Patel CBE, Professor Becky Francis, John Murphy, Steve Rollett, Dr Sam Sims, Natalie Perera, Rebecca Boomer-Clark, Kate Alcock, Ash Jacobs and Dr Kate Chhatwal OBE for sharing your knowledge and expertise.    

Over the next 12 months, we will consult with our members on how we can strengthen our role as an employer organisation. In this article on Tes, Leora Cruddas CBE outlines why CST is making this move now and what we hope to achieve: https://lnkd.in/eQs6Usyb At our inaugural CEO Leadership Summit today and tomorrow, we will be focusing on recruitment, retention and #ShapingTrustCulture – and how we strengthen our role as the sector and employer body.