Confederation of School Trusts

Join our member webinar on 29 January (10:00–11:00) exploring what trusts need to consider when recruiting and appointing a CEO. Led by our Director of Governance Samira Sadeghi and governance consultant Malcolm Trobe CBE. Find out more: https://twp.ai/9PabYU

New CST blog "The partnership dividend" - Leora Cruddas CBE, CST.

As part of the launch of the Centre for the Children's Workforce, CST Chief Executive Leora Cruddas explores the 'partnership dividend' from professionals working together. Read more: https://twp.ai/E6Fdnm

(2) With thanks to our exhibitors, and our community supporters Browne Jacobson, CPOMS, The Key and Thrive.

Wishing all our delegates a safe journey home.

#CSTSafegaurding

(1) It has been a day of thoughtful discussion, learning and reflection on how safeguarding leadership must continue to evolve in an increasingly connected world.

We are grateful to all our speakers and delegates for their contributions to today’s conversations.

Jon Le Fevre examines the role of education in safeguarding partnerships, and the contribution trust safeguarding leaders can make.

#CSTSafeguarding

If you are attending today’s conference, do take the opportunity to visit the exhibition and connect with leading suppliers supporting the trust sector.

#CSTSafeguarding

Across two workshop series, trust leaders and sector experts are leading sessions on whole-trust approaches to inclusive safeguarding practice.

#CSTSafeguarding

Dai Durbridge, Browne Jacobson, is now leading a guided networking discussion.

#CSTSafeguarding

A second keynote focused on keeping children with SEND safe online, led by Professor Andy Phippen (Bournemouth University), drawing on evidence to explore safer and more inclusive digital experiences.

#CSTSafeguarding

This morning’s programme included a keynote from Tom Dore on the scale of Esports in the UK, how and why young people engage with them, and the safeguarding risks trusts and schools need to understand.

#CSTSafeguarding

Steve Rollett and Dr Jon Needham, Oasis Community Learning, have now officially opened today’s event.

#CSTSafeguarding

Trust leaders are joining us today at CST’s Safeguarding Conference to explore this year’s theme, Connected safeguarding: Navigating the new digital landscape.

#CSTSafeguarding

Upcoming professional community meetings (Jan/Feb).

Coming up this term: community meetings for Operations, SEND and inclusion, School improvement, Communications, and People and culture. Join your colleagues online: https://twp.ai/9PZMDW

CST Deputy Chief Executive Steve Rollett said: "School trusts are a crucial part of our education system and it is welcome the Secretary of State has reiterated government’s support for their vital role. It is appropriate trusts are accountable - as indeed they already are. "Any new checks must however have a clear purpose and not duplicate or conflict with school inspections or regulation by the Department for Education. "Trust inspection will also need a really clear and evidence-based concept of what quality looks like, while allowing for the diversity of approaches that is a key strength of the trust system."

The government has today said it intends to legislate to enable inspection of school trusts by Ofsted.
CST has previously set out a potential high level model for trust inspection: https://twp.ai/E6EBvv

Join us for this session at #CSTFinOps Conference on 5 February to explore how school catering can become a driver of both educational value and financial sustainability. Find out more and book your place: https://twp.ai/9PZM9Z

Join us for the first member engagement meeting of the spring term tomorrow, Wednesday 7 January (09:00-10:00).

Register now via our website: https://twp.ai/E6EaWE

CST Masterclass: Commercial governance for trustees, leaders and non-procurement specialists. Starts on 13 January.

Join our expert seminar leads on 13 January to build your commercial knowledge and confidence needed to improve procurement, supplier relationships and long-term planning, with a clear focus on value for money, effectiveness and compliance. Book now: https://twp.ai/9PZM6H

Season's greetings from everyone at CST. We hope you all have a wonderful and restful festive period.

Our offices are closed from today until 2 January 2026. For urgent member queries, please contact us via our website and we'll respond as soon as possible.

(2) Booking is now open for the CST Communications Summit on 5 March 2026, where trust leaders and communications professionals will explore these themes in more depth. Book your place: cst-conferences.org....

New CST Blog "Communications on the cusp" by James Goffin, Head of Communications, CST.

(1) In our latest blog post, James Goffin, Head of Communications at CST and Chair of the Communications professional community, reflects on the pressures facing school trusts and why building a strong culture of communication matters in a time of change.

Read it here: cstuk.org.uk/news-an...

New CST Blog "Communications on the cusp" by James Goffin, Head of Communications, CST.

(1) In our latest blog post, James Goffin, Head of Communications at CST and Chair of the Communications professional community, reflects on the pressures facing school trusts and why building a strong culture of communication matters in a time of change.

Read it here: https://twp.ai/E6EbBx

Short course: The role of trust members. 22 January 2026.

What is the role of trust members, and how can they add value without overstepping?

This short course on 22 January 2026 clarifies members’ remit, statutory duties and the behaviours that support effective governance. Book now: https://twp.ai/9PZLyL

Thank you to everyone who has engaged with CST’s 11 professional communities this term. Your insight and willingness to share practice is what makes these networks so valuable.
Find out more about our communities and join colleagues online in 2026: https://twp.ai/9PZLyN

Celebrate your membership

CST members can now download the new CST Member badge to showcase your membership and commitment to the trust sector.

Download here: https://twp.ai/9PZLtQ

Hear from Kate Caine, Marketing and Communications Manager at Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, at CST’s Communications Summit on 5 March. Join us to learn simple, transferable skills to elevate your video output using the tools you already have. Book now: https://twp.ai/9PZLuv

Listen on the CST website at https://twp.ai/E6EbXp or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Produced by @plmr.co.uk

Trust: The CST podcast - New episode: The governance of AI Featuring Claire Archibald, Lauren Thorpe, and Samira Sadeghi

In our new podcast episode we go beyond AI's potential and what platforms to use to examine the governance of AI. Hear from Browne Jacobson's Claire Archibald, Lauren Thorpe from United Learning, and CST's Samira Sadeghi on taking a pragmatic approach to managing the use of AI in your school trust.

Join us on Tuesday 21 April 2026 for CST’s Early Years Summit to explore this year’s theme, Building strong foundations. Find out more and book now: https://twp.ai/9PXtKR

He explains how they use tools like reforecasting to make better decisions, and the importance of asking the right questions before considering trust growth.
Read it here: https://twp.ai/E6DBTU

New CST blog: Good data can turn challenges into opportunities

In our latest guest blog Honeycomb Education Trust CEO Jim Nicholson explains to IRIS Education MD Simon Freeman how his team have benefited from building a system that collects and shares information across the trust.