Helen Robinson

Customer Operations Director, FFT

Helen is Customer Operations Director (Data) at FFT Education. Born and bred in Wales, her background is in mathematics gaining a PhD in the subject from the University of Wales, Bangor in 2000. Helen has worked with education data for over 20 years starting in a local authority, via the Local Government Data Unit - Wales and RM Data Solutions, before joining FFT Education in 2013. She has worked on a wide variety of projects including the National Pupil Database (Wales), RAISEonline, PISA (as National Program Manager for England) and latterly leading the development of FFT Aspire. She has a solid background in analytics, service delivery, and development/program management. Helen also leads on information security for FFT and is a Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM). Helen joined the governing board of Charlton Wood Primary Academy in 2022 and assumed the role of chair later that year. Following the merger with TiLA, Helen joined the board of Directors for TiLA in 2024. She is passionate about helping schools to make good use of data to help to ensure pupils can achieve their full potential.

1 Keynotes and workshops

The 2025 MAT Financial Benchmarking Report: Exploring sector-wide trends

Discover sector-wide insights from IMP Software’s 2025 MAT Financial Benchmarking Report, published in partnership with CST. Created from the budget assumptions of over 400 school trusts, this session will examine key trends in the report. IMP Software’s Chief Executive Will Jordan will also explore the varied approaches trusts are taking to navigate budget challenges over the medium and long term, including staffing ratios, leadership pay, and a deep dive into the size and shape of multi academy trust finance functions.

1 Keynotes and workshops

Pupil outcomes: Learning from American 'cradle to career' place-based approaches

How can trusts and their schools establish themselves as civic anchors in their communities? In this session we will learn about Strive Together’s ‘cradle to career’ model which has improved outcomes for young people across the US. With decades of experience in working with communities to apply the model, it has been adapted over time and continues to do so to meet pupil and family needs. Strive Together brings together a range of partners to address complex challenges, supported by a local team. Together we’ll explore learnings from the model and how it can be applied within trusts of all sizes.

1 Keynotes and workshops

Beyond ‘belonging’: How can trusts nurture agency and aspiration in their pupils?

This session considers the growing body of evidence behind ‘belonging’ – which is widely acknowledged as the foundation for wellbeing and success in schools. It will also extend the conversation to embrace ‘becoming’, where every child not only feels like they belong, but also feels empowered and full of potential. The panel will discuss how trusts can nurture this agency and aspiration in their pupils, and how leaders can bring this evolving vision to life, for a more ambitious future for state education in England.

1 Keynotes and workshops

Evolving internal scrutiny to the next generation

Is your internal scrutiny programme compliance-driven, problem-focused, or disconnected from your strategic priorities? This interactive session will explore how to transform internal scrutiny into a forward-looking, risk-informed tool that supports continuous improvement. Join our speakers for a discussion around how to align scrutiny with future risks and opportunities, foster a culture of psychological safety, and overcome common barriers through shared real-life experiences.

1 Keynotes and workshops

Flourishing adults: How to create and measure a healthy workplace culture

In this session you’ll learn about how The Education Alliance is using staff insight to improve wellbeing and drive tangible outcomes. Drawing on this approach, we will hear from Mandy Coalter how executive leaders and trust boards can measure engagement and understand the experiences of all employees – from classroom to board. Attendees will gain practical strategies to build a thriving, supportive culture where people – and pupils – can flourish.

1 Keynotes and workshops

AI governance gone wild: Lessons from mismanagement

This session is for trust leaders who are intrigued by the transformative power of AI and have the view that strict controls and prohibition may be required. Join our speakers to dispel common myths and preconceptions, and to examine a pre-mortem scenario that looks at the consequences of the mismanagement of AI. This interactive workshop will challenge you to think critically, emphasising the necessity of building trust and engaging stakeholders from the start. Nick and Claire will also guide you through six steps towards effective AI governance to help your trust flourish instead of flounder.

1 Keynotes and workshops

Boardroom excellence in procurement: Ethics, strategy, and oversight

This workshop, designed for both trustees and senior leaders, will strengthen your oversight of procurement in line with DfE guidance. Participants will explore the board’s critical role in making sure procurement decisions are transparent, fair, and aligned with the trust’s educational mission and public accountability. Join the panel in an exploration of ethical sourcing, supplier due diligence, risk management, and value for money. By the end of the session, attendees will be better equipped to ask the right questions, interpret procurement reports, and provide confident, ethical leadership in this vital area of school trust operations.

1 Keynotes and workshops

Flourishing environments: Analysing DfE’s School estate management standards

The DfE’s new standards embody a shift in the government’s approach to improving the condition, safety, suitability, and sustainability of school estates across England. This session will provide an expert analysis of the new guidance and the implications for school trusts. We’ll hear how trusts align standards with broader policy goals and funding expectations to create a successful and resilient estates strategy. Most importantly, we’ll translate policy into practice. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of what the new standards require, practical tools for assessing current compliance, and strategic advice on aligning estate management with educational outcomes, financial planning, and sustainability goals.

1 Keynotes and workshops

Shared services 4.0: Mapping your trust’s maturity journey to leading practice

This workshop will explore three phases of trust maturity at a system level, and how signs are emerging of a fourth model involving AI, automation, and purposeful partnership, leading to strategic, scalable, high-performing ways of working (from striving to thriving). Join this session to assess your trust’s operational maturity, identify barriers, explore leading practices, and take practical steps to building a flourishing, future-proofed operational model.

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>