As the trust sector matures, we are building in all sorts of ways: our capacity and resilience, our evidence and expertise, our ability to collaborate and improve outcomes. We are building public institutions, civic in their outlook, anchored in their communities.
CST’s Annual Conference allows the space and time to think deeply, nurture relationships, and challenge ourselves to reflect on how we can continue to build a stronger sector.
Hear from some of today's leading educational thinkers
Give you and your leadership team time to re-think how your trust works
Connect with colleagues from school trusts across the country
Engage with innovative providers to the school trust sector
HM Chief Inspector, Ofsted
Sir Martyn Oliver started as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector at the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills in January 2024. He has worked in education since 1995 starting as a teacher and joined Outwood Grange Academies Trust in 2009 where he became Principal of Outwood Grange Academy and then a National Leader of Education. In 2016, Sir Martyn was appointed Chief Executive and Accounting Officer for Outwood, a role he held until he started as His Majesty’s Chief Inspector. Sir Martyn has also previously held Trustee positions for the Office for Students, Education Endowment Foundation, Confederation of Schools Trusts and for the David Ross Education Trust, was a board member of the Department for Education’s Opportunity North East and has advised both the government and the DfE on a number of groups.
Scientist and broadcaster
Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a scientist and broadcaster.
She is the presenter of the The Sky at Night, has fronted a number of space documentaries, and regularly appears on science and non-science programmes.
From a modest background and diagnosed with dyslexia, Maggie overcame the naysayers to study at Imperial College where she obtained her degree in Physics and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. After her studies, she toured the UK speaking to inner-city schools about what scientists do, why they do it, and how to be one with the aim of inspiring the next generation of physicists.
Since then, she has spent her career making novel, bespoke instrumentation in both the industrial and academic environments, ranging from hand-held land mine detectors to an optical subsystem for the James Webb Space Telescope. She has worked for the MoD on missile warning systems, and for aerospace giant EADS on projects to monitor the earth’s atmosphere.
Maggie is a research fellow and an Honorary Research Associate at University College London, and continues to work to engage the public with science. She was made an MBE for services to science and science education.
Chair of the NHS Confederation
Victor Adebowale is Chair of the NHS Confederation, and was Chief Executive of the social charity Turning Point for over a decade.
As well as more than 25 years experience in the health, social care and housing areas he is a leadership consultant for both private and public sector organisations. He is also the co-founder and Chairman of healthcare technology company Visionable Global.
Raised in Yorkshire, Victor left school, worked as a street sweeper, moved to London and returned to education, did an MA in Advanced Organisational Consulting and stayed in the city. After working for various housing charities he joined Centrepoint as Alcohol Recovery Project Director and became Chief Executive.
After five years leading the homelessness charity he moved to become Chief Executive of Turning Point, the integrated community care organisation working across a wide spectrum of social and health care issues.
The charity undertakes no active fundraising; all of its income is derived from competing for central and local government health and social care contracts. Victor helped turn the organisation around in his time in charge, from struggling institution to an annual
turnover of around £100million. Turning Point helps over 100,000 people and has a nationwide workforce of over 2,500 working in areas from drug and alcohol abuse to mental health, learning disabilities and unemployment.
Victor has advised both Labour and Conservative administrations on various issues relating to housing,
employment, social care and public service reform. As a leadership and organisational consultant he has worked with companies including Shell, KPMG and with local government.
He is also a non executive director of the Co-Op,
and of health IT consultancy St Vincents, and of TomahawkPro, a collaborative software company. He is Chair of Social Enterprise UK and was a member of the Audit Commission.
Chief Executive, Star Academies
Sir Hamid is Chief Executive of Star Academies. He has led the trust since its inception. Sir Hamid is passionate about the highest of ambition for children and young people from the most disadvantaged communities across the country, and this vision has guided the philosophy of the trust and his work in particular.
Sir Hamid is a member of several national and international strategic educational and policy forums. In this role, he has contributed to the development of strategies and programmes as diverse as teacher training, leadership development, community cohesion, curriculum reform and social mobility. He is committed to the development of a strong and world-class academy sector, and actively works to improve its reputation.
In recognition of his service to education, Sir Hamid was made a CBE in 2015 and awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2021.
Sir Hamid is Chair of the Confederation of School Trusts.
A chance to meet with fellow delegates over coffee and explore our conference exhibition.
A full programme of keynotes and workshops, exploring key issues facing school trusts and trust leaders.
Our programme includes speakers from inside and outside education, including policymakers and thinkers, and inspirational individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
In addition to our main stage, we have 10 rooms offering a diverse selection of workshops and symposiums, programmed in partnership with the National Institute of Teaching, Ambition Institute, and CST's Platinum Partners. The programme covers the full gamut of school trust operations, inside and outside the classroom, with essential insights for trust leaders.
Delegates will also have opportunities to visit our extensive exhibition featuring dozens of partner organisations and leading suppliers to school trusts.
Delegate tickets include lunch and refreshments during the day.
Further programme details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
A chance to discuss the day's keynotes and events with fellow delegates and browse our partner and supplier exhibition.
The networking drinks are open to all conference delegates.
An optional conference dinner, giving a relaxed opportunity to meet with fellow delegates and continue the day's conversations over dinner.
Due to limited capacity, the dinner is not included in standard delegate tickets and must be purchased separately.
A full programme of keynotes and workshops, exploring key issues facing school trusts and trust leaders.
Our programme includes speakers from inside and outside education, including policymakers and thinkers, and inspirational individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
Delegates will also have opportunities to visit our extensive exhibition featuring dozens of partner organisations and leading suppliers to school trusts.
The conference programme includes lunch and refreshments.
Further programme details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The end of our conference - but not of the conversation.
Keep in touch with fellow delegates via our network of 10 professional communities, with regular half-termly meetings.
CST members only: Two day pass for the conference including keynotes, workshops, refreshments, and lunch
Book your place£492 inc VAT at 20%
Two day pass for people working in schools but not linked to a CST member trust. On sale soon!
Book your place£576 inc VAT at 20%
CST members only: discounted places available for bookings of three or more delegates
Book your place£456 inc VAT at 20%
Two day pass for organisations with an educational interest. On sale soon!
Book your place£780 inc VAT at 20%
CST members only: Two day pass for the conference including keynotes, workshops, refreshments, and lunch and the annual conference dinner
Book your place£564 inc VAT at 20%
CST members only: discounted places available for bookings of three or more delegates. Includes annual conference dinner
Book your place£540 inc VAT at 20%
CONFERENCE EXHIBITION
Our extensive exhibition puts you in touch with leading sector organisations and suppliers
Our conference takes place the Birmingham ICC, one of the country’s largest conference venues.
We recommend using public transport wherever possible to attend. The venue is within Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone and there may be additional fees for driving to the venue.
International Convention Centre
8 Centenary Square
Birmingham
B1 2EA
The conference takes place across 7 & 8 November 2024.
Exact timings will be confirmed closer to the event, but we expect registration to open at approximately 8:30 on 7 November, and the conference to close at approximately 15:30 on 8 November.
Standard delegate places include attendance at main conference sessions and workshops across the two days, plus refreshments, lunch, and networking drinks.
Overnight accommodation is not included.
Our conference programme is provisional and subject to change. Booking terms and conditions apply.
Imagery is from past events and may not reflect the 2024 programme.
Confederation of School Trusts, Suite 1, Whiteley Mill, 39 Nottingham Road, Stapleford, Nottingham, NG9 8AD
Company no: 05303883. Charity no: 1107640. Registered offices as above.