5 March 2026 at The Birmingham Conference and Events Centre
This is a year of change for school trusts, with new approaches to inspection, to curriculum, and to the way parents and schools interact.
Trusts also face increasing pressure on budgets and a changing media landscape.
All have implications for trust communications and marketing.
We will explore these changes, and how effective strategic communications can help us meet them head on.
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
This summit is an extension of the CST Communications professional community - a unique space for school trust staff to network, share, and learn, all year round. Community membership is an integral part of CST membership.
Executive Director, Communications, Operations and Growth, Ted Wragg Trust
As the first in her family to go to university, Jen understands how transformative education can be, a belief deepened by her most important role: being a mum of two. These experiences inspire her commitment to ensure every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to thrive in their local school and dream big for their future. She began her career in higher education, gaining expertise in project management, executive support and communications. Jen joined the Ted Wragg Trust in 2023 as Senior Project Manager and now serves as Executive Director, overseeing communications, operations and growth. She loves working across the trust’s shared services to support schools and strengthen community ties and enjoys welcoming new schools into the trust, placing the ambition to make sure children love coming to school and staff love coming to work at the heart of its mission.
Director of Brand & Marketing Communications, REAch2 Academy Trust
Michelle Rosemond is the Director of Brand and Marketing Communications at REAch2 Academy Trust, England’s largest primary-only academy trust. Her role spans pupil recruitment, teacher and trainee attraction, and internal and external communications, all underpinned by a trust-wide brand strategy designed to build pride, belonging, and purpose across more than 60 schools. Before moving into a central leadership role, Michelle spent over 15 years working in education, including 10 years in senior leadership. Before training to become a teacher, Michelle has a background in journalism, PR, and strategic communications. She is an advocate for values-led branding and storytelling, and believes in the power of authentic, emotionally resonant communications to foster connection, culture, and clarity across complex organisations.
Marketing and Communications Manager, Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust
Kate Caine is the Marketing and Communications Lead for Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust and St. Aidan's C of E High School, Harrogate North Yorkshire. She has worked for the school and trust since 2020. Prior to this role, her experience is in television production. This included being staff at ITV Yorkshire for around 12 years both in the local news department Calendar and then as a first assistant director working on a variety of projects including commercials and drama (mainly Emmerdale). A freelance career followed this along with a career break to raise her family. She also is co-director of her husband's TV camera business.
For details about commercial tickets, please contact conference@cstuk.org.uk.
CST members only: Full conference access including keynotes, workshops, lunch, and resources
Book your place£330 inc VAT at 20%
Non-CST member place for conference including keynotes, workshops, and lunch
Book your place£408 inc VAT at 20%
Our conference takes place at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, a short walk from Birmingham New Street train station.
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.
Birmingham Conference and Events Centre
Hill Street
Birmingham
B5 4EW
The CST Communications Summit takes place on 6 March 2026.
The full programme will published nearer to the event date, but delegate registration is expected to begin at around 08:00 with main programme running approximately 09:30 to 16:00.
Delegate places include full access to conference main sessions, workshops, and exhibition, plus refreshments, and lunch during the day.
Overnight accommodation is not included and delegates are responsible for their own travel arrangements.
The event programme is provisional and subject to change. Booking terms and conditions apply.
Imagery is from past events and may not reflect future programmes.
Confederation of School Trusts · Registered in England & Wales, company no: 05303883 · Charity no: 1107640.
CST Professional Development Ltd · Registered in England & Wales, company no: 10354936 · VAT Registration Number 270 0880 18
Registered offices both at 167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, England, W1W 5PF