11 November 2025 at the Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre
The success of the education system hinges on adults who are well-rested, valued, supported, and championed by society. Workforce resilience and wellbeing require a positive working culture for all staff that promotes collaboration, aspiration, support and a recognition that the flourishing of adults is essential for the overall success of our schools.
This conference will explore how culture can be intentionally crafted to foster belonging and collective identity, enhanced team cohesion and, ultimately, better performance. We, as educators and leaders, are the custodians of growth and opportunity, ensuring positive experiences for those in our care.
Our aim is to cultivate environments where adults flourish, fostering opportunities for children to thrive. By joining this conference, you will have the opportunity to:
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 conference is an extension of the CST People and culture 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.
Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Peter is the CEO of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development. He is also Chair of Engage for Success, was Chair of What Works Centre for Wellbeing, and sits on the board of the College of Policing. He sits on many forums linked to wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, routes in to work and skills, flexible working, and corporate governance. Peter writes and speaks widely on the development of HR, the future of work, and the key issues of leadership, culture and organisation, people and skills. In 2021, his second book ‘The New World of Work’ was published, exploring the many factors shaping work, workplaces, workforces and our working lives, and the principles around which we can build a future that is good for people, for business and for societies. Prior to joining the CIPD in 2012 Peter was Chair of the Institute of Leadership and Management, an Executive Fellow at London Business School, and held a number of board level roles. He had a long career in consulting at Accenture working with organisations around the world, and in his last seven years there was global managing director for the firm’s human capital and organisation consulting practice. He is a Fellow of the CIPD, a Fellow of AHRI (the Australian HR Institute), the Royal Society of Arts, and the Academy of Social Sciences. He’s also a Companion of the Institute of Leadership and Management, the Chartered Management Institute, and the British Academy of Management. He holds honorary doctorates from Bath University, Kingston University and Birmingham City University, and is a Visiting Professor at Aston University, and at Unitar University, Malaysia.
Chief Executive Officer, Education Support
Sinéad Mc Brearty is CEO at Education Support, the mental health and wellbeing charity for the education workforce across the UK. She advocates for a systemic approach to wellbeing for the education workforce, attending to the individual, the workplace and the wider policy environment. Sinéad began her career at KPMG before moving to leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector. She has worked as an organisational development consultant and a lecturer and has been a trustee at a number of charities including Kaleidoscope Trust and Groundswell. She is a currently a governor of a south London primary school.
CST members only: Full conference access including keynotes, workshops, lunch, and resources
Book now£402 inc VAT at 20%
Non-CST member place for conference including keynotes, workshops, and lunch
Available soon£474 inc VAT at 20%
The CST People and Culture Summit is on 11 November 2025, at the The Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre.
We recommend using public transport wherever possible to attend.
Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre
53 Edgbaston Park Road
Birmingham
B15 2RS
The conference takes place on 11 November 2025.
The full programme will published nearer to the event date, but delegate registration is expected to begin at around 08:30 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.
Accommodation can be booked at the venue at preferential rates for delegates wishing to arrive the night before.
Please email reservations@edgbastonparkhotel.com or calling 0121 414 8888 (followed by option 1) and quote the promotional code: CST25.
The event programme is provisional and subject to change. Booking terms and conditions apply.
Imagery is from past events and may not reflect the 2025 programme.
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 Suite 1, Whiteley Mill, 39 Nottingham Road, Stapleford, Nottingham, NG9 8AD.