Confederation of School Trust Conferences

08:00

1 Main programme

Registration, refreshments, networking and exhibition

10:00

1 Main programme

Keynote: Keeping Children with SEND safe online: Evidence-based strategies for safer, more inclusive digital experiences

Children with SEND experience unique opportunities and risks in digital spaces. Whilst technology can enhance communication, learning and social interaction, children with SEND can face heightened online risks, including cyberbullying, grooming, and exposure to harmful content. Existing safeguarding strategies often fail to address their specific needs, focusing on risk avoidance rather than empowerment. This keynote will draw upon an evidence-based analysis of the complex intersection of SEND, digital technology and online safety to offer practical recommendations, including how schools can lead on multi-stakeholder approaches to create a safer and more accessible digital world.

11:00

1 Main programme

Refreshments, networking, and exhibition 

11:30

1 Main programme

Workshop series one

Delegates can choose from a range of workshops led by trust leaders and sector experts which will explore whole-trust approaches to preventing violence against women and girls, and strategies for safeguarding autistic children without speech. Details of a third workshop on the topic of safeguarding data will be added to this series shortly.

12:20

1 Main programme

Lunch, networking, and exhibition

13:20

1 Main programme

Workshops series two

Delegates can choose from a range of workshops led by trust leaders and sector experts which will explore inclusive safeguarding practice, strategies for protecting severely absent pupils, and approaches to supporting girls’ mental health in a digital age.

14:10

1 Main programme

Refreshments, exhibition, and networking

15:15

1 Main programme

Panel: Making change in safeguarding partnerships

This panel brings together a range of different expert perspectives to explore how education leaders can make change for the better in safeguarding partnerships and answer your questions.

1 Workshop series one

A trust wide approach to preventing violence against women and girls

Preventing violence against women and girls requires a culture change within our school communities to address the root causes of men’s violence against women - harmful attitudes, behaviours and expressions of masculinity. In this workshop, we hear how one trust has established an initial three-year strategy to tackle this issue at all levels across its schools including culture, curriculum, systems and behaviours. We'll look at what this means for staff at the trust, especially male leaders and role models, and explore how being the first school trust to achieve White Ribbon accreditation has helped shape and support this work. You will gain insights into how and why the trust is taking this approach, hear about the impact of this work to-date and gain practical ideas to take back to your colleagues.

1 Workshop series one

Safeguarding autistic children without speech

This workshop will explore how building relationships with autistic children, particularly those who do not use speech to communicate, is central to effective safeguarding. We’ll examine alternative approaches to capturing the voice of the child, and how these can inform safeguarding decisions and practice. The session will also highlight the importance of working collaboratively with families to develop a holistic understanding of each child’s needs, to create safe, inclusive, and responsive environments.

1 Workshop series one

Impact from Insight: Using the CPOMS data and analytics solution to scale safeguarding intelligence across your trust

School trusts are at different points in developing data-driven safeguarding practice, yet all benefit from systems that turn daily activity into clear and actionable intelligence. This workshop explores how effective data extraction and trust-wide configuration can provide leaders with a consistent view of risk, workload and emerging trends. We will also look at how the new data and analytics solution, CPOMS Insight, supports trusts that are just beginning to use safeguarding data, as well as those ready to build more advanced analysis and reporting. The session will highlight the practical steps that help you design a scalable safeguarding framework, the benefits of high-quality data for operational and strategic planning and ideas for building a system that grows with your trust.

1 Workshop series two

Strategies for protecting severely absent pupils

How do we strike the right balance between meeting some of our most vulnerable children's needs around attendance and keeping them safe? This workshop will explore the policy, pinch points and practice of effective safeguarding for severely absent pupils in school trusts. We will consider strategies that trust safeguarding leaders can adopt around data, information-sharing and collaboration with partners and take a practical look at what works for severely absent pupils, including the levers that trusts can use support DSLs in this increasingly urgent and complex area.

1 Workshop series two

Leading inclusive safeguarding practice

How do trust safeguarding leaders ensure that their schools' safeguarding practice is inclusive? Can we be sure that our approach is contextual and not conceptual? Are there gaps between our trust promise and our practice? And how do we know what's working? In this interactive workshop, you will be invited to discuss what inclusive safeguarding means, share your experience and consider how to test assumptions and assess the impact of your trust's approach.

1 Workshop series two

Supporting girls’ mental health in a digital age

At a time when girls are reporting increased pestering and pressure around sex, this workshop explores how we can harness deep listening, student voice and peer-to-peer cascade to support girls' mental health – particularly around improving body image, self-esteem and personal boundaries. The workshop will share insights from GLF Academy Trust's two-year project to remove barriers between adults' understanding and the reality of children's lived experience, create practical resources that are for students by students, and determine how to equip young people to discuss sensitive issues with peers in a thoughtful, empathetic and responsible way. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the project rationale, scope, approach and intended outcomes. There will be an opportunity to contribute your experience to the collective thinking around this work and to consider how this approach could be replicated within your trust.

11:30

1 Main programme

Supporter spotlight: Leadership Edge

A short address from our Community Supporter, Leadership Edge.

12:45

1 Main programme

Supporter spotlight: MyNewTerm

A short address from our Community Supporter, MyNewTerm.

1 Workshop series two

From data to action: Using AI to strengthen trust-level decision making

This session will explore how expanding and enhancing data sets can deepen the insights available to trusts, leading to more informed decision making and action, and leveraging AI to unlock new perspectives. Two trusts that are making great strides in this work will present their experiences, sharing their approaches to integrating new data sources and AI tools into their practice.

1 Workshop series two

Managing the changing face of school data: A discussion workshop

Join us for this thought-provoking space for attendees to share insights and practice on key areas of the complex and evolving landscape for school and trust level data. We will discuss the current progress measure gaps within trusts, effectively complementing the new DfE and Ofsted measures, and the importance of contextualising data for valid assessment. <ul> <li>How are trusts currently navigating the absence of formal progress measures? Where is your focus? How important is pupil progress? What measures are being used? What advice are you giving schools?)"How should trusts think about the contextualisation of school data?</li> <li>How should trusts think about the around the contextualisation of school data?What’s important; demographic variation, pupil starting points, pupil needs, similar schools, regional circumstances, a level playing field? What would you like to see?</li> <li>How should trusts ‘complement’ new DfE and Ofsted measures? (What are your views on the current direction of travel? What would you like to see that supplements the DfE and Ofsted approach?)</li> </ul>

1 Workshop series two

Research revolution: Unlocking the power of school data 

Which teaching practices have the greatest impact on pupil outcomes? By analysing data already held by trusts, NIoT’s ground-breaking project, the Teacher-Education Dataset (TED), aims to inform classroom practice, enhance teacher development, and shape evidence-based policy. During the session we will share our approach to building the TED, as well as early research findings. We will then explore how trust leaders might apply these insights in their contexts. Attendees will be invited to reflect on how their own trusts might engage with TED and contribute to sector-wide improvement. Join us to understand the infrastructure required to support this work and discover actionable insights to drive positive change across your trust.

1 Workshop series one

Governance to support AI: Putting the safeguards in place

Data and information governance is more critical than ever to ensure that individuals’ data is protected, and that data is used ethically and responsibly, by people and, increasingly, by AI. This panel explores best practice policies and processes that trusts should have in place, with insights from Ark Schools, Central Region Schools Trust, and Dixons Academies Trust, sharing their respective approaches to implementing effective data and AI governance.

1 Workshop series one

Building data and AI capability within trust teams

There is a scarcity of data capability in the schools sector, but trust leaders are exploring innovative initiatives to close this gap and develop data expertise. The panel will discuss how the Open Education AI platform and community of practice, alongside new models for data apprenticeships, are rapidly increasing data capability across three trusts: Greenwood Academies Trust, Beckfoot Trust and Discovery Schools Trust.

1 Workshop series one

Ensuring valid inferences: approaches to improving data quality

This session explores the hows and whys of high-quality data for effective predictive and prescriptive analytics in school trusts. We’ll identify which datasets require the most rigorous quality standards and discuss practical steps to improve data accuracy and reliability across trust systems. With a focus on the principle of “junk in, junk out,” attendees will gain insights into building a stronger foundation for data-driven decision-making.

08:30

1 Main programme

Registration, refreshments, networking, and exhibition

09:15

1 Main programme

Opening and welcome remarks

Opening remarks from Lauren Thorpe, Chief Transformation Officer, United Learning Trust and Chair of CST Data and insights professional community and Steve Rollett, Deputy Chief Executive, CST.

10:15

1 Main programme

Guided networking discussion

Guided networking discussion co-facilitated by Lauren Thorpe and Jonny Wathen, CIO and Founding Director, The TransforMATive.

10:40

1 Main programme

Refreshments, networking, and exhibition

11:10

1 Main programme

Workshop series one

Choose from a selection of workshops led by trust leaders and sector experts, exploring how school trusts are strengthening data and AI governance, building internal capability through innovative approaches, and improving data quality to support effective, ethical decision-making.

12:10

1 Main programme

Lunch, networking, and exhibition

13:50

1 Main programme

Guided networking

Guided networking discussion co-facilitated by Steve Rollett, Deputy Chief Executive, CST, and Lauren Thorpe.

14:15

1 Main programme

Refreshments, exhibition, and networking

14:30

1 Main programme

Workshop series two

Choose from a range of insightful workshops led by trust leaders and sector experts. Topics include harnessing AI and expanded datasets to strengthen trust-level decision-making, unlocking the potential of school data to inform teacher development and policy, and navigating the evolving landscape of progress measures through collaborative discussion and contextual insight.

15:30

1 Main programme

Room 101 - Data and AI challenges unpacked

This interactive session invites delegates to share common frustrations and recurring challenges they face in their work. Whether it’s unclear strategy, siloed systems, or pressure to deliver insights without sufficient support, no topic is off the table. Contribute your own experiences or listen in as peers identify the issues that they would consign to Room 101.

16:00

1 Main programme

Closing remarks

1 Workshop series two

Innovation at secondary to support pupils with SEMH needs

Community supporter spotlight: Amy Husband, Head of School Academic, Academy21 will briefly introduce the session. Chaired by Roger Inman of Stone King, this panel brings together leaders from SENDSCOPE, an innovative specialist school created to support pupils with complex needs at the transition from primary to secondary, and from All Saints Catholic College, a maintained mainstream school that brings focus to working with pupils before potential SEMH or learning needs are diagnosed. Together they will discuss what education leaders can do in these unprecedented circumstances for schools, and how they can incorporate early intervention for pupils’ best outcomes.

1 Workshop series two

Exploring effective models of special schools’ outreach

Chaired by Alistair Crawford of Eden Academy Trust, this session explores two distinct models of outreach. Cate Marsden of Woodbridge Trust (3 specialist settings across primary, secondary, and sixth form), with an Outreach Service supporting over 120 schools, will share an approach developed in close partnership with the local authority, rooted in collaboration and sustained support across mainstream schools. Rachel Wilkes of Humber Education Trust (4 specialist schools and 13 mainstream primary schools) will share a model of support enabling mainstream settings to inclusively meet the needs of more complex learners within and beyond the trust. Attendees will gain valuable perspectives on how outreach can be structured, sustained, and scaled to help inform or enhance work in their own trusts.

1 Workshop series two

Innovative provision in primary mainstream settings - Strategic deployment of resources to enable early intervention

There not being sufficient funding for schools to routinely employ class-based teaching assistants or 1:1 teaching assistants for children with EHCPs, mainstream primary schools are no longer able to operate in the ways they are used to.  River Learning Trust (31 schools) looked to a creative solution, exploring the legislation and guidance to open 'The Willows' at New Marston Primary School. Anne Heavey, Director of Insights for Ambition, will be joined in conversation with Katherine Walsh, Director for Inclusion and Beth Middleton, Willows Leader and Class Teacher.

1 Workshop series one

Enacting inclusive provision through the power of peer review

Peer reviews are a structure that can mobilise expertise within and across schools and trusts. In this workshop, Toni Bailey of Creative Education Trust and Vanessa Wallden of The Howard Partnership Trust will discuss ways in which peer reviews have been a vehicle to improve provision for pupils with SEND. The conversation will share examples of how they have been used to ensure learning and knowledge-building between mainstream and specialist settings.

1 Workshop series one

Cultivating a culture of belonging and connectedness

This panel will explore ways to create the conditions for belonging and connectedness to enable all pupils to flourish in schools – and the research evidence behind them. Anna Upton from Embark Multi-Academy Trust (comprising nursery, primary, and secondary schools) will share the trust’s approach to creating a collective commitment across its schools, fostering a universal offer as a foundation for every child’s success. Simon Knight of Frank Wise Special School will discuss the principles underpinning an inclusive culture within the context of a community special school, and how that relates to the lived experience. Stuart Kime of EBE will share research evidence for the conditions that cultivate a sense of belonging for learners, teachers and leaders alike.

1 Workshop series one

Upholding dignity and delivery equity: Harnessing collaboration and learning from lived experience

This session will discuss research and cross-sector case studies that exemplify how harnessing collaboration and learning from lived experience is central to upholding dignity and delivering equitable whole school inclusion: lead from the top and build from the universal up. Ellie Costello of Square Peg and Amelie Thompson of Greenshaw Learning Trust (37 schools) will explore principles and practical strategies to build a systemic and systematic approach for authentic and meaningful co-production. They will highlight opportunities this offers trust leaders in achieving the paradigm shift required for equitable whole school inclusion.

08:30

1 Main programme

Registration, refreshments, networking and exhibition

10:50

1 Main programme

Refreshments, networking and exhibition

11:20

1 Main programme

Keynote panel: From policy to practice

This panel will reflect on the policy landscape post-White Paper and explore what this means in practice for our young people, schools, and trusts. Katherine will be joined by a panel of trust leaders, who will discuss how we move forward in planning our policies and processes to enact change in the lives of our young people and families. Panellists: to be confirmed

11:50

1 Main programme

Workshop series one

Delegates can choose from a selection of sessions led by trust leaders and sector experts on different areas SEND and inclusion.

12:40

1 Main programme

Lunch, networking and exhibition

13:40

1 Main programme

Workshop series two

Delegates can choose from a selection of sessions led by trust leaders and sector experts on different areas SEND and inclusion.

15:10

1 Main programme

Keynote panel: Knowing pupils well

This panel brings together a range of different expert perspectives to share practical examples on how we ensure young children with SEND get off to the best start in life and education. Panellists: to be confirmed

1 Workshop series two

Sustained and coherent in times of change: into the great teaching future

We stand at a crucial time of reform in England, navigating the Curriculum and Assessment Review, the rise of AI, and urgent priorities in inclusion and school culture. In this shifting landscape, building deep collective expertise in teaching is the number one priority, and it cannot be piecemeal. Professional development that is disconnected from strategic priorities and individual needs wastes time, money and good will. In this talk, Stuart Kime will map the CST’s Implementing Improvement strand against state-of-the-art research, as well as the updated inspection requirements for sustained, coherent and evidence-based professional learning that builds expertise. In doing so, he will share his insights about how staff can curate clear, evidence-based goals and actions to ensure that every hour of PD builds pedagogical expertise where it really matters.

1 Workshop series two

Built together: How collaboration transformed our curriculum

Two years ago, our schools faced inconsistent outcomes and fragmented learning. We chose bold action: implementing a trust-wide, “bookletised” curriculum designed to guarantee every child access to a high-quality education. This presentation shares our journey, the challenges we overcame, and the tangible impact on teachers, students, and school performance - demonstrating that curriculum coherence is one of the most powerful tools we have for social justice.

1 Workshop series one

Coherent PD for a coherent curriculum

This workshop explores how high-quality, subject-specific professional development turns curriculum principles into classroom practice. Drawing on the idea that teacher learning mirrors student learning, we examine how carefully sequenced, subject-specific PD strengthens curriculum coherence, depth and inclusivity. The session will provide insights for how rehearsal, feedback and iterative development build the expertise needed to interpret and enact curriculum with precision.

1 Workshop series one

CAR: An opportunity for authentic collaboration

Representing voices from across the sector, the Curriculum and Assessment Leads Network (CALN) has recently published a collaborative think-piece in collaboration with CST to outline the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in responding to the CAR. This session will explore the three tenets of our collective response: Be measured, Lean into the evidence, Collaboration is key. Never before has it been more important to work in partnership with those around us. This session will be a chance to share some of the CALN's early thinking about the implications of the CAR and to extend an open invitation to the sector to join us in the spirit of authentic collaboration.

1 Workshop series one

Stewarding sustainable outcomes: designing coherence in school improvement

How do trusts move beyond short-term improvement to sustain strong outcomes over time, particularly as organisations grow and contexts diversify? Drawing on trust-wide practice, this session explores how senior leaders deliberately design coherence across strategy, leadership behaviours, teaching, inclusion and the early years so that moral purpose becomes lived reality. Through concrete examples from SEND, EYFS, teaching quality, leadership development, alongside longitudinal impact evidence, the session will examine how clarity, shared language and disciplined priorities enable improvement to be embedded and sustained.

08:00

1 Main programme

Registration, refreshments, and networking

10:45

1 Main programme

Sponsor spotlight: HFL Education

A short address from our headline sponsor, HFL Education.

10:50

1 Main programme

Refreshments and networking

11:20

1 Main programme

Workshop series one

Delegates can choose from a selection of sessions led by trust leaders and sector experts on different areas of school improvement.

12:50

1 Main programme

Guided networking

13:05

1 Main programme

Sponsor spotlight: Smartgrade

A short address from our lunch sponsor, Smartgrade.

13:10

1 Main programme

Lunch and networking

14:05

1 Main programme

Workshop series two

Delegates can choose from a selection of sessions led by trust leaders and sector experts on different areas of school improvement.

15:05

1 Main programme

Keynote: Enriching inclusive practice: The Inclusive Teaching Framework

As trusts continue to steward SEND reform as a core element of school improvement, this keynote will introduce Ambition’s new Inclusive Teaching Framework. Developed to support educators in understanding the diverse ways children think, feel and develop, the framework has been rigorously evidenced and draws on insights from developmental psychology, speech and language, occupational therapy and physical development, building on teachers’ existing expertise in great teaching. Anne Heavey and Dr Neil Gilbride will explore how the framework can support trusts to better understand, anticipate and adapt to a broader range of pupils’ needs.

1 Workshops series two

How do we build a trust that is appreciated by its people?

<div class="ms-Stack css-186"> <div id="collapsible-region-5" class="collapsible-region expanded"> <div class="ms-Stack css-331"> <div class="ms-Stack css-140"> <div class="ms-StackItem css-333"> <div class="mark-down-content"> Trustees hold primary responsibility for cultivating a shared vision, mission and ethos across their trust. But many trusts struggle to tell its story and embed its values beyond the school leadership teams. A cohesive identity is built by strong buy-in and a sense of belonging across the trust. In this workshop, trustees can draw on Edurio’s research and hear practical tips from Infinity Academies Trust, one of the highest scoring trusts nationally in staff perceptions of trust value. </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ms-Stack css-186"> <div id="collapsible-region-6" class="collapsible-region expanded"> <div class="approval-timeline"> <div class="approval-action"> <div class="approval-action-info"> <div class="approval-action-user"> <div class="ms-Persona ms-Persona--size32 root-334"> <div class="ms-Persona-coin ms-Persona--size32 coin-286" role="presentation"> <div class="ms-Persona-imageArea imageArea-336" role="presentation"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

1 Workshops series two

Isolated and undervalued? Not anymore.

Governance professionals have long felt isolated and undervalued. But this needs to change. Next-gen governance puts governance professionals at its very heart. This open session will facilitate a discussion about how governance professionals can champion next-gen governance within their trusts and overcome key challenges facing the role.

1 Workshops series one

Solutions focus: How can AI and technology improve governance?

Governance has a ‘fluffload’ problem. Could AI be part of the solution? This interactive workshop will explore cutting edge uses of technology and AI to enhance governance practice, making it more efficient, effective, accountable and ethical.

08:15

1 Main programme

Registration, refreshments, networking and exhibition

14:50

1 Main programme

Panel: Attracting the next generation

Let’s meet the next generation of governance leaders. In this panel discussion, our ‘younger’ trustees will discuss the huge benefits of intergenerational work on boards. How can trusts develop a pipeline of talent amongst late millennials and generation Z? What can these generations bring to the table? And, how can we overcome some of the barriers in attracting the next generation of talent to our boards?

12:00

1 13 July

Arrival, registration, light lunch, and networking

13:00

1 13 July

Keynote: The Partnership Dividend

Opening keynote address from Leora Cruddas CBE, Chief Executive, CST and Ed Vainker OBE, Managing Director, The Reach Foundation.

14:30

1 13 July

Regional work on tables

14:50

1 13 July

Refreshments and networking

15:20

1 13 July

Case studies: Place-based leadership

17:30

1 13 July

Hotel check-in

Take a breather and recharge. Join us for the drinks reception at 19:00.

19:00

1 13 July

Drinks reception

Join us for the opportunity to connect with colleagues over an informal drinks reception.

19:30

1 13 July

Dinner

Join us for our CEO Summit dinner from to continue the day’s conversations.

06:30

1 14 July

Breakfast

Hotel breakfast is available from 06:30, ahead of day two commencing at 09:00.

09:05

1 14 July

Keynote: The Bristol approach

Keynote address from Hannah Woodhouse, Executive Director of the Children and Education Directorate, Bristol City Council, and Sir Jon Coles, Chief Executive, United Learning Trust.

09:45

1 14 July

Panel: Civic leadership in place

Panellists to be confirmed.

10:30

1 14 July

Table conversations: Making local change

10:45

1 14 July

Conversation playback

11:00

1 14 July

Refreshments and comfort break

11:20

1 14 July

Closing keynote

Closing keynote to be confirmed.

12:15

1 14 July

Networking lunch

Join us for an informal networking lunch, or take lunch to go before beginning your journey home.

08:30

1 Main programme

Registration, refreshments, networking, and exhibition

09:15

1 Main programme

Opening and welcome remarks

Opening remarks from Leora Cruddas, Chief Executive, CST ST and Sherise Daly, EYFS Leader, Unity Schools Partnership, and Chair of CST's Early years professional community.

09:30

1 Main programme

Keynote TBC

Session and speaker details to be confirmed.

10:00

1 Main programme

Panel: Foundations for learning: Neurodevelopment and school readiness in practice

This session will explore what educators need to know about early child development and the foundations for learning, with a focus on neurodevelopment and school readiness. Felicity will draw on the latest KindredSquared findings and resources, designed to support schools, early years practitioners, health visitors and parents in creating consistent, developmentally informed practice. The panel will offer a trust- and school-level lens, sharing research-aligned insights and practical actions to strengthen early years strategy, improve coherence across settings, and enhance consistency in practice.

10:50

1 Main programme

Refreshments, networking, and exhibition

12:00

1 Main programme

Case study - Exploring effective teaching practices to develop handwriting and early English

Confirmed copy to publish: Molly and Madeleine will share insights from their ongoing action research across schools, focusing on effective approaches to handwriting development. They will present practical, evidence-based strategies for inclusive teaching, and consider the implications of the recently published DfE framework on transcription and composition in Reception. Attendees will leave with practical ideas to enhance classroom practice through research-informed strategies towards confident, fluent writers in the early years.

12:35

1 Main programme

Table discussions

12:50

1 Main programme

Lunch, networking, and exhibition

13:50

1 Main programme

Panel: Place based partnership – how can we mobilise effective support for the best start in life

How do we build local partnerships that genuinely shift outcomes for children in the early years? And what is the role of schools and early years settings in making these partnerships work? This session will explore how place-based approaches can strengthen early identification, join up support across health, education and early help, and reduce the barriers that prevent families from accessing what they need. We will look beyond traditional notions of “parental engagement” to understand how multi-agency relationships, shared priorities, and community-level collaboration can create the conditions for children to thrive from birth to five. This session will focus on what is practical, realistic and doable in typical settings. Attendees will take away a clearer understanding of their role within local partnerships, examples of what works, and actionable steps to strengthen collaboration in their own communities.

14:35

1 Main programme

Refreshments, exhibition, and networking

15:25

1 Main programme

Keynote TBC

Keynote and speaker details to be confirmed.

15:55

1 Main programme

Closing remarks

08:30

1 Main programme

Registration and refreshments

09:15

1 Main programme

Opening and welcome remarks

10:50

1 Main programme

Refreshments, networking and exhibition 

13:00

1 Main programme

Lunch, networking and exhibition

15:00

1 Main programme

Unconference: The sessions

This is the hour where anything could happen. Expanding on our Communications Room 101 session from previous summits, we’re giving the floor over to the community to select and discuss the topics that matter most, selected at our pitch session earlier in the day.

1 Workshop series three

Panel: What is the role of commercial leadership in education?

As the growth of school trusts continues in a tight fiscal climate, many finance and operations leaders are considering the role that commercial leadership can play in their schools’ sustainability and success. Our panel will share what commercial leadership means in their trusts, reflecting on the strategies that they are taking and their learnings along the way. This discussion will give insights into the scope of commercial leadership for trusts, the risks to be mitigated, and the potential benefits and opportunities for trusts in sustaining operations and increasing impact for children and young people.

1 Workshop series three

Procurement 101 Round Table

Taking a strategic approach to procurement can have a significant positive impact on your trusts' finances and support improved operations. Creating the conditions for successful procurement practice often requires a new mindset and skillset, different tools and clear governance and oversight. If you are wondering how to start building a more strategic and impactful procurement function or grappling with barriers to transforming your trust's current procurement, join up to 24 other trust leaders for our round table discussion. Led by specialists from Value Match in a format that is part clinic, part open mic, this is an opportunity to share your questions and challenges and explore practical solutions. Please note this workshop requires advance registration and has a maximum capacity of 25 participants.

1 Workshop series three

Leveraging the levy: the strategic role of teaching apprenticeships

This session will explore how trusts can make strategic use of the apprenticeship levy to upskill teaching assistants and support staff into qualified teacher roles, while minimising costs. The levy is widely underutilised, often due to misconceptions about its relevance and complexity. This workshop will address myths surrounding the levy, share best practice, and offer a clear, operationally focused overview of how trusts can leverage the levy to create great career pathways. Attendees will hear directly from trust leaders who have used the levy to access the first TA to teacher pathway, without the need for a traditional degree. Join us to explore how integrated teaching apprenticeships can transform your workforce and talent development strategies.

1 Workshop series three

Leading financial and estates strategy through trust growth

As funding remains constrained, cost pressures rise, and growth adds complexity, trust finance and estates leaders are navigating strategic choices while continuing to deliver safe, compliant and sustainable environments. This session explores the realities of leading financial and estates strategy through periods of trust growth, balancing ambition with capacity, particularly where central teams are lean. The discussion will focus on practical strategic actions, including long-term financial planning, budgeting for lifecycle and capital costs, and aligning estates investment with pupil demand and curriculum intent. It will also consider the role of centralising estates functions, maintaining robust due diligence, and integrating financial and estates strategy to support sustainable growth and long-term value for money.

1 Workshop series two

From core to strategic: maximising the impact of the trust finance function

The finance function is evolving fast - no longer just about balancing the books, but about driving strategic decisions, shaping growth, and enabling value and growth. In this interactive session will present new research exploring the evolving role of the finance function within Trusts - from core transactional delivery to strategic enabler of value and growth. Drawing on IMP Software’s benchmarking data from trusts of varying sizes, the session will examine how financial service delivery is distributed across Trusts, the relationship between cost and value, and what defines a truly strategic finance function. Through discussion and peer reflection, leaders will consider how their function can maximise strategic impact and strengthen the overall value they bring to their Trusts.

1 Workshop series two

Leading and managing an education estate: Taking strategic action

When funding is neither guaranteed nor sufficient and when data is never perfect, how can trust and estates leaders take strategic action whilst dealing with the day-to-day pressures of keeping our school buildings open and safe? This interactive session explores the realities of strategic estates leadership — balancing long-term planning with the courage to act when the conditions are less than ideal. Our speakers will draw on case studies to share lessons on how effective estate strategy isn’t just about buildings and budgets — it’s about leadership, influence, and culture. We’ll debate how the most effective leaders take the long view by acting strategically, not reactively. Participants will be invited reflect on what their organisation is currently “waiting on” — and how to move from caution to confident, evidence-informed action.

1 Workshop series two

Maritime Children’s Foundation: Why did we set it up? How did we do it? What have we learned along the way?

This session is for colleagues in trusts who are curious about the why how and what of setting up a charity. Join us for an overview of our experience over the last 3 years, the good, the bad and what we’ve learned along the way. We’ll share why Maritime chose to set up our charity back in 2023. We will then walk you through the steps we took to set it up - in simple terms, with key learnings along the way. Then we will reflect on what we have learned from just over one year of running the registered charity and the impact that we have had so far.

1 Workshop series two

How smaller trusts can build capacity: Rethinking structures, outsourcing and collaboration

Join this panel to explore the ways in which smaller trusts are rethinking key levers to increase their capacity. We’ll hear an SMRA perspective, developed across Sukwinder Bassi’s work with over 200 trusts, gain insights into two different trust approaches from Mark Greatrex in London and Gill Martin in Cumbria, and open the floor for discussion with the experts in the room.

1 Workshop series one

Real world ICFP: A CFO’s playbook for sustainable planning in uncertain times

This session will explore how Integrated Curriculum and Financial Planning (ICFP) supports trusts to plan confidently through uncertainty. It will share the real challenges trusts are facing, the role of ICFP in long term sustainability, and practical approaches that leaders can take. Join us for an insight into Oasis Community Learning’s ICFP journey and open Q&A that will provide a balanced mix of insight, lived experience and practical guidance

1 Workshop series one

The lesson in the middle of the day: Aligning the business of school catering with educational value

How do school trusts connect their catering and educational provision, and what's the business case and operating framework for making change? In this session we'll consider how school trusts can centralise the management of catering services whilst empowering local teams to perform. You'll hear the latest trends on catering insourcing and outsourcing from across the sector from The Litmus Partnership, and gain insight into Asset Education trust's decision to insource catering across its 15 primary schools to forge a deep connection between food, the curriculum and pupil well-being. A connection that gives chefs and heads agency with a central trust framework, which can save money whilst delivering a better service, and which aims to have a lasting impact on pupils for learning and for life.

1 Workshop series one

The Fundamentals of effective estates planning

Effective estates leadership is fundamental to your trust's ability to provide a good education. This workshop invites estates leaders to take a holistic look at the strategic function of estates and consider both the performance data and the wider intelligence that you need for effective stewardship of your trust's assets. We will look at how you can take a long view of sustainability, education provision and sufficiency to ensure that the working and learning environments of your schools play a key role in their success.

1 Workshop series one

Partnering for impact: How and why Invictus Education and The Way Youth Zone are collaborating to bring education and youth services together

Redeveloping a school site is much more than a building project. It's a wider opportunity to rethink how the school estate can deliver more value as a community asset. This session shares the emerging and innovative thinking between a school trust and a youth centre (part of a national movement) to make the case for the design and build of new schools with purpose-built facilities for the delivery of youth services outside school hours. You'll get an insight into the vision that is driving this discussion to improve the life chances of young people, the practicalities of shared facilities design and co-location of services and take away ideas and inspiration for developing civic partnerships.

08:00

1 Main programme

Registration, refreshments, networking and exhibition

09:20

1 Main programme

Welcome remarks by the Community Chairs

Welcome remarks from CST's Finance and operations professional community Chairs: Catherine Hughes, Director of Finance/CFO, Creative Education Trust, and Ben March, Chief Finance and Operations Officer, STEP Academy Trust.

09:30

1 Main programme

State of play: 2026 benchmarks for the trust sector

This keynote marks the publication of the 14th Annual Kreston UK Academies Benchmarking Report 2026, based on the financial data of over 260 trusts. The lead authors of the report will discuss the benchmarks that form the financial and operational baselines in school trusts for the next wave of education reforms and highlight the key trends that indicate our sector’s health, resilience and capacity for change.

10:20

1 Main programme

Sector finance: The big picture

Sam will share the big picture of sector finances, cost pressures across the piece and consider what this means for the operational and strategic planning for school trusts.

10:40

1 Main programme

Talking funding

Leora Cruddas puts your questions to our funding speakers.

11:00

1 Main programme

Refreshments, networking, and exhibition 

11:30

1 Main programme

Workshops series one

Delegates can choose from a range of workshops led by trust leaders and sector experts on ICFP; cost-effective centralisation of catering services; the fundamentals of effective estates planning; and redeveloping school sites for community value.

12:20

1 Main programme

Workshops series two

Delegates can select from sessions exploring how trusts can maximise the impact of their finance functions; develop strategic estates leadership and culture; and learn how one school trust set up their own registered charity.

13:15

1 Main programme

Lunch, networking, and exhibition

14:15

1 Main programme

Workshop series three

Delegates can choose from a diverse mix of workshops including an exploration of the role of commercial leadership in education; unlocking greater benefits from procurement; and how to make best use of the teaching apprenticeship levy.

15:50

1 Main programme

Final remarks and close

10:30

1 Main programme

Keynote: Do managed moves really work?

In this session, we will hear a (former) pupil perspective, as Elliot McKenzie shares his experience of a managed move in conversation with Jon Needham.

10:50

1 Main programme

Refreshments, networking and exhibition

11:20

1 Main programme

Workshops: series one

Choose from a selection of impactful workshops delivered by trust leaders and sector experts, focusing on critical safeguarding issues. Topics include supporting the well-being of safeguarding staff, addressing extremism and being aware of potential bias in the application of Prevent policies, and exploring what education settings can learn from global strategies to combat child criminal exploitation.

12:20

1 Main programme

Lunch, networking and exhibition

13:20

1 Main programme

Workshops: series two

Explore our second series of workshops which delve into innovative safeguarding practices led by experienced trust leaders and sector experts. Topics include strengthening safeguarding through the power of multi-disciplinary teams, addressing emotionally based school avoidance to foster belonging, and building robust safeguarding capacity in small trusts.

14:45

1 Main programme

Refreshments, exhibition and networking

1 Workshop series one

Protecting your safeguarding staff: A trust-led approach to maintaining health, safety and well-being

Safeguarding can be a hugely rewarding area of practice. Protecting children and young people in risky and complex situations can also be tough, especially when things go wrong. This workshop will explore the trust's duty of care to protect its safeguarding workforce physically, emotionally, mentally and professionally. Raminder and Becci will share her extensive experience of creating protective structures for the safeguarding professionals in their trusts, and strategies to identify and respond to staff in crisis.

1 Workshop series one

Understanding and addressing extremism: Exploring bias and applying 'Prevent' effectively in your trust

Last summer's civil unrest and its impact on children and families highlights the importance of addressing extremist ideology and online disinformation in education. This interactive workshop session aims to foster an open dialogue about personal values and attitudes towards extremism and consider ways in which trust safeguarding leaders can improve the applications of safeguarding policies, including Prevent, without potential bias. Kevin will explore case studies, invite delegates to share experiences of addressing false narratives and disinformation in their safeguarding practice, and discuss examples of how to recognise and address biases in policy application.

1 Workshop series one

We can't stop what we can't see: Making the connection between global and local CCE

Children and young people vulnerable to Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) rarely identify themselves as at risk. In fact, they often feel that their exploitative relationships are normal and keeping them safe. This practical and empowering workshop will explore how trust safeguarding leaders can help colleagues to cut through the misinformation about CCE and trafficking to recognise how these global issues show up in schools and communities, and how to mobilise young people to tell their stories and take protective action. Participants will be invited to share their experiences and consider how they can equip young people to answer three simple questions: What is trafficking? How does it affect me? What can I do about it?

1 Workshop series two

Strengthening trust safeguarding through diversity: The power of multi-disciplinary teams

Safeguarding in education has traditionally been undertaken by teachers specialising in child protection. As trusts grow, and safeguarding practice becomes more complex, trust safeguarding leaders have been thinking differently about the skills and background that a safeguarding team needs to enable it to do more and be more effective. In this workshop, Louis will share his team-building strategy at Creative Education Trust, taking us through the thinking and practice of building a multidisciplinary team from pastoral, clinical and other services and the impact this has had on safeguarding capacity and outcomes in the trust.

08:15

Thursday 7 November

Registration, exhibition, and networking

Time to collect your conference pass and programme, as well as a chance to meet with fellow delegates over coffee and explore our conference exhibition.

09:45

Thursday 7 November

Opening performance

The Big Band from Malcolm Arnold Academy, part of the David Ross Education Trust

11:15

Thursday 7 November

Refreshments, exhibition, and networking

11:45

Thursday 7 November

Workshops - series one

<a href="https://cst-conferences.org.uk/cst-annual-conference/annual-conference-programme/workshops/">Choose from a broad selection of workshops</a> delivered by trust leaders, sector experts, and CST partners including the National Institute of Teaching and Ambition Institute.

12:45

Thursday 7 November

Lunch, exhibition, and networking

14:35

Thursday 7 November

Workshops - series two

<a href="https://cst-conferences.org.uk/cst-annual-conference/annual-conference-programme/workshops/">Choose from a broad selection of workshops</a> delivered by trust leaders, sector experts, and CST partners including the National Institute of Teaching and Ambition Institute.

15:35

Thursday 7 November

Refreshments, exhibition, and networking

17:40

Thursday 7 November

Drinks reception and networking

Join us in Hall 3 for networking drinks with colleagues and exhibitors, kindly sponsored by RM. The reception is open to all delegates, and will close at 18:40.

20:00

Thursday 7 November

Annual Conference dinner

Join us in Hall 4 for our Annual Conference dinner, kindly sponsored by Etio. Note: The conference dinner is available only to delegates who booked a dinner package.

08:00

Friday 8 November

Exhibition and networking

Time to meet with fellow delegates over coffee and explore our conference exhibition.

08:45

Friday 8 November

Opening performance

Poetry performed by pupils from Mulberry Schools Trust

10:50

Friday 8 November

Refreshments, exhibition, and networking

11:20

Friday 8 November

Workshops - series three

<a href="https://cst-conferences.org.uk/cst-annual-conference/annual-conference-programme/workshops/">Choose from a broad selection of workshops</a> delivered by trust leaders, sector experts, and CST partners including the National Institute of Teaching and Ambition Institute.

12:20

Friday 8 November

Lunch, exhibition, and networking

13:20

Friday 8 November

Workshops - series four

<a href="https://cst-conferences.org.uk/cst-annual-conference/annual-conference-programme/workshops/">Choose from a broad selection of workshops</a> delivered by trust leaders, sector experts, and CST partners including the National Institute of Teaching and Ambition Institute.

15:05

Friday 8 November

Registration, refreshments, networking and exhibition

Keynote: Keeping Children with SEND safe online: Evidence-based strategies for safer, more inclusive digital experiences

Refreshments, networking, and exhibition

Workshop series one

Lunch, networking, and exhibition

Workshops series two

Refreshments, exhibition, and networking

Panel: Making change in safeguarding partnerships

A trust wide approach to preventing violence against women and girls

Safeguarding autistic children without speech

Impact from Insight: Using the CPOMS data and analytics solution to scale safeguarding intelligence across your trust

Strategies for protecting severely absent pupils

Leading inclusive safeguarding practice

Supporting girls’ mental health in a digital age

Supporter spotlight: Leadership Edge

Supporter spotlight: MyNewTerm

From data to action: Using AI to strengthen trust-level decision making

Managing the changing face of school data: A discussion workshop

Research revolution: Unlocking the power of school data

Governance to support AI: Putting the safeguards in place

Building data and AI capability within trust teams

Ensuring valid inferences: approaches to improving data quality

Registration, refreshments, networking, and exhibition

Opening and welcome remarks

Guided networking discussion

Refreshments, networking, and exhibition

Workshop series one

Lunch, networking, and exhibition

Guided networking

Refreshments, exhibition, and networking

Workshop series two

Room 101 - Data and AI challenges unpacked

Closing remarks

Innovation at secondary to support pupils with SEMH needs

Exploring effective models of special schools’ outreach

Innovative provision in primary mainstream settings - Strategic deployment of resources to enable early intervention

Enacting inclusive provision through the power of peer review

Cultivating a culture of belonging and connectedness

Upholding dignity and delivery equity: Harnessing collaboration and learning from lived experience

Registration, refreshments, networking and exhibition

Refreshments, networking and exhibition

Keynote panel: From policy to practice

Workshop series one

Lunch, networking and exhibition

Workshop series two

Keynote panel: Knowing pupils well

Sustained and coherent in times of change: into the great teaching future

Built together: How collaboration transformed our curriculum

Coherent PD for a coherent curriculum

CAR: An opportunity for authentic collaboration

Stewarding sustainable outcomes: designing coherence in school improvement

Registration, refreshments, and networking

Sponsor spotlight: HFL Education

Refreshments and networking

Workshop series one

Guided networking

Sponsor spotlight: Smartgrade

Lunch and networking

Workshop series two

Keynote: Enriching inclusive practice: The Inclusive Teaching Framework

How do we build a trust that is appreciated by its people?

Isolated and undervalued? Not anymore.

Solutions focus: How can AI and technology improve governance?

Registration, refreshments, networking and exhibition

Panel: Attracting the next generation

Arrival, registration, light lunch, and networking

Keynote: The Partnership Dividend

Regional work on tables

Refreshments and networking

Case studies: Place-based leadership

Hotel check-in

Drinks reception

Dinner

Breakfast

Keynote: The Bristol approach

Panel: Civic leadership in place

Table conversations: Making local change

Conversation playback

Refreshments and comfort break

Closing keynote

Refreshments, networking, and exhibition 

Research revolution: Unlocking the power of school data 

Enacting inclusive provision through the power of peer review

Refreshments, networking and exhibition 

Refreshments, networking, and exhibition 