Confederation of School Trusts

(2) With thanks to our exhibitors, and our community supporter PLMR.

Wishing all our delegates a safe journey home.

(1) Thank you to everyone who joined us for #CSTComms today.

From the evolving Ofsted landscape to the role of brand during uncertainty, today’s sessions explored the growing strategic role of communications in school trusts.

In our final session, 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.

#CSTComms

In her session, Jen Fook from Ted Wragg Trust shares how they have refined their approach to parent communications.

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Fiona Taylor from Evolution Academy Trust shared how she worked with colleagues to demonstrate the strategic value of communications within her organisation.

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Kate Caine, Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, shares her tips on how to get good footage from a mobile phone, and how you can empower colleagues to bring their communications to life.

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Sophie Turner and Esi Mensah, Information Commissioner's Office, examined the legal landscape and practical steps trusts can take to manage requests effectively.

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We have just heard from Mark Leech, Ofsted, who shared insights on the new inspection report format and how trusts can support parents, staff and media in understanding the changes.

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In the next session, Michelle Rosemond from REAch2 Academy Trust will explore how brand can act as a stabilising force during uncertainty.

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Jane Livesey and Richard Ronksley from Altus Education Partnership are now sharing how strong relationships with communities, parents and local businesses can strengthen trust reputation and make communications more effective.

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Delegates are now invited to bring forward the issues they want the community to tackle in our session later this afternoon.

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#CSTComms 2026 is underway.

Today’s discussions will explore how strategic communications can help school trusts navigate a period of significant change across the education system.

Ahead of the CST Early Years Summit, Professor Sam Wass looks at the impact on education of changing childhoods in a guest post for Trust: The CST Blog

Ahead of the CST Early Years Summit, Professor Sam Wass looks at the impact on education of changing childhoods in a guest post for Trust: The CST Blog
https://twp.ai/E6GBi5
#CSTEarlyYears

Join us for CST’s Annual Conference 2026 on 15 &16 October to explore this year’s theme, Connecting. CST members can book their place now: https://twp.ai/9PazR2

The #GoodSchoolFoodAwards nominations are open! Time to shine a light on the incredible people transforming school food. Nominate your hero (or school) for a Jamie Oliver award here: https://twp.ai/9PaoeW

On 5 March at #CSTComms, hear from Kate Caine, Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust. She will share practical tips on filming high quality video using your mobile phone and empowering colleagues to create engaging content across your trust. Book your place: https://twp.ai/9PbiX1

Partnership offers a powerful model for the future, say Moira Marder and Tim Rutherford from the Ted Wragg Trust.

Partnership offers a powerful model for the future say Moira Marder and Tim Rutherford from the Ted Wragg Trust, in our latest guest blog post on the future of schools in England.
Read their post here: https://twp.ai/E6H2bB

With the Government’s schools white paper confirming plans for all schools to join a high quality trust, our updated policy paper explains why we believe school trusts are the best bet for a self-improving school system, moving from good to great.

With the Government’s schools white paper confirming plans for all schools to join a high quality trust, our updated policy paper explains why we believe school trusts are the best bet for a self-improving school system, moving from good to great.
https://twp.ai/E6H2ci

The Government’s Schools White Paper builds on the proven success of high-quality school trusts, and offers a new, more positive, vision of support for children with special needs.

The Government’s Schools White Paper builds on the proven success of high-quality school trusts, and offers a new, more positive, vision of support for children with special needs.
Read more on our website: https://twp.ai/E6Gs23

Our new discussion paper, published with the Reach Foundation, explores how school trusts can work in partnership at local, neighbourhood, and regional levels. Part one identifies the leadership mindsets required for partnership working.

Our new discussion paper, published with the Reach Foundation, explores how school trusts can work in partnership at local, neighbourhood, and regional levels. Part one identifies the leadership mindsets required for partnership working.
https://twp.ai/E6GryR

CST Chief Executive Leora Cruddas CBE said: “School trusts offer the only approach where everyone in the organisation is dedicated to one thing: making our schools better. It makes sense to consolidate on the progress already made in raising standards."

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has today pledged to "finish what the previous Labour government started, and ensure all schools join high-quality trusts."
With more than 60% of children attending academies, CST welcomes this announcement.

Consolidation of trusts is inevitable but we have choices to make on the form that takes, says ATT's Mark McCourt.

Consolidation of trusts is inevitable but we have choices to make on the form that takes, says ATT's Mark McCourt.
Read his guest blog post: https://twp.ai/E6Gixj

Read our new discussion paper, published with the Curriculum and Assessment Leads Network, on how trusts can prepare for the upcoming reforms to curriculum, assessment, accountability and progression.

Read our latest discussion paper, published with the Curriculum and Assessment Leads Network, on how trusts can prepare for the upcoming reforms to curriculum, assessment, accountability and progression.
https://twp.ai/E6GixR

https://cstuk.org.uk/news-and-blogs/inclusive-dynamic-accountability-new-governance-framework

Governance needs to shift away from operational detail and tick-box assurance, towards values-based oversight that builds public trust and supports courageous leadership, says Elevare’s Dr Sam Parrett
Read her guest blog post here: https://twp.ai/E6GixB

Our website is undergoing scheduled maintenance this morning. Booking for conferences, courses and events is temporarily unavailable. We expect full access to be restored later today. For urgent partnerships or exhibitor queries, contact partnerships@cstuk.o.... Thank you.

We have lessons to learn from engineering when it comes to making good education policy, says CST Deputy CEO Steve Rollett
Read his blog post here: https://twp.ai/E6GbeE

In our final keynote, Dr Tim Coulson CBE examines the role of Regional Directors and RISE in the new schools’ landscape, and how the Regions Group is supporting trust growth and improvement. #CSTFinOps

Across three workshop series, trust leaders and sector experts are leading sessions focused on long term sustainability, strategic planning and operational leadership. #CSTFinOps

Natalie Parish (Isos Partnership) shared insight into funding SEND in the inclusive mainstream, exploring the direction of reform and its implications for trusts. This was followed by Sam Freedman on the big picture of sector finances and cost pressures. #CSTFinOps