26 March 2026 at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham.
This year’s conference will explore how trust leaders exercise intent and coherence within their organisations while contributing to sector-wide improvement through shared language, collaboration, and evidence-informed practice.
Drawing on CST’s 2025 call for evidence and insights from impactful trusts and international research, the programme will deepen thinking about not just what improvement looks like, but how it is stewarded deliberately and at scale.
Delegates will engage with leading ideas and peer-to-peer discussions, build connections across the sector, and gain practical strategies ready to implement within their trusts.
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 School improvement 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.
Director of Education, No More Marking
Director of Education, No More Marking
Daisy Christodoulou is Director of Education at No More Marking, a provider of online comparative judgement assessments. She works closely with schools in the UK, Australia and USA on developing new approaches to assessment, and on applications of artificial intelligence in the classroom.
Before that, she was Head of Assessment at Ark Schools, a network of academy schools. She has taught English in two London comprehensives and has been part of UK government commissions on the future of teacher training and assessment.
Daisy is the author of three books about education: Seven Myths about Education (2013), Making Good Progress? The future of Assessment for Learning (2017), and Teachers vs Tech (2020).
CEO, Cygnus Academies Trust
CEO, Cygnus Academies Trust
Danielle Lewis-Egonu is the CEO of Cygnus Academies Trust. She has worked in school improvement and leadership development for over 20 years, supporting schools, leaders and local authorities. She is a published author writing about education and leadership and has recently co-authored a chapter in Outstanding School Leadership published by Bloomsbury Education. The book highlights the positive impact of leaders across the UK and globally.
CEO, Learning First
CEO, Learning First
Ben has advised governments in Australia, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia on education strategy and reform. Before founding Learning First in 2014, he was director of the Grattan Institute’s School Education Program. He also worked with numerous education systems across the world during five years at the OECD, where he conducted research on education policy and school and teacher effectiveness.
CST members only: Full conference access including keynotes, workshops, lunch, and resources
Book your place£420 inc VAT at 20%
Non-CST member place for conference including keynotes, workshops, and lunch
Coming soon£492 inc VAT at 20%
Our conference takes place at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham.
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.
Eastside Rooms
2 Woodcock Street
Birmingham
B7 4BL
The conference takes place on 26 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 09:15 to 15:30.
Delegate places include full access to conference main sessions and workshops, 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