Confederation of School Trusts

We are the national organisation and sector body for school trusts in England advocating for, connecting and supporting executive and governance leaders.

[Confederation of School Trusts @CSTvoice]

Volunteers play an important role across education, from strengthening governance to supporting schools and trusts in their communities.

This Volunteers’ Week, we want to thank everyone who gives their time, insight and commitment to the sector.

[Confederation of School Trusts @CSTvoice]

Join us tomorrow (Wednesday 3 June, 09:00–10:00) for our member engagement meeting on the Post-16 Pathways Implementation Plan for technical and vocational qualifications.

CST members can register for this session on MyCST.

[Confederation of School Trusts @CSTvoice]

Great governance does not happen by chance.

Our Chairing a school trust board programme supports chairs to develop the skills, confidence and strategic insight needed to lead trust governance from good to great.

Find out more: https://t.co/NeuhFi1PfR

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In a new guest blog post Pioneer Educational Trust's Antonia Spinks says simple recruitment steps can help increase diversity and ensure trusts get the best talent.
Read it here: https://t.co/jZkyQeFgLH

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Join Together Learning Trust's Triestina Bozzo and @LBGplc Ian Browne to explore approaches to careers education in this free member webinar. We'll look at building provision across year groups and creating sustained employer-school partnerships.
More: https://t.co/m5ppl2NKPJ

[Confederation of School Trusts @CSTvoice]

In a guest blog post ahead of the CST Data and Digital Transformation Conference, the Good Future Foundation's Daniel Emmerson says trusts needs to get to grips with the new generation of AI tools
Read more: https://t.co/l9MCCABIWU
Explore the conference: https://t.co/BIifTIKBXN

[Confederation of School Trusts @CSTvoice]

CST has published a new discussion paper with @eduriocom: Leading through listening.

It explores why organisational listening means treating pupils, staff and parents as legitimate partners in shaping the school community. Read now: https://t.co/QfAfixpwQo

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(2) With thanks to all exhibitors who joined us today, and to our SEND and inclusion professional community supporters: @Academy21AP, @Ambition_Inst, Speech & Language Link and @Cricksoft.

[Confederation of School Trusts @CSTvoice]

(1) As #CSTSEND and Inclusion Conference 2026 comes to a close, delegates have engaged with policy, research and shared practice to strengthen inclusion across mainstream and specialist settings.

Thank you to all speakers and delegates for contributing today.

[Confederation of School Trusts @CSTvoice]

Our final keynote panel discussed how young children with SEND can be supported from the earliest stages of life and education.

#CSTSEND

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Ted Melhuish, Emeritus Professor of Human Development at the @UniofOxford explored neuroscience, early experience, later development and the risk of SEND, with implications for how we plan practice and policy.

#CSTSEND

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(3) Series two focused on the future role of Alternative Provision, specialist workforce development, curriculum models for pupils with complex needs, distributed SEND leadership and inclusion bases.

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(1) Across today’s workshop programme at #CSTSEND, delegates have been able to choose from sessions focused on the practical challenges trusts are navigating in SEND and inclusion.

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(2) Series one series one explored the SENCO role, sustainable workforce models and embedding inclusive practice across trusts.

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If you are attending the conference today, don’t forget to explore our exhibition to connect with leading suppliers to the sector.

#CSTSEND

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Katherine Walsh is now joined by Rachel Wilkes (Humber Education Trust), Mark Vickers MBE (@OliveAcademies) and Matthew Shanks (Education South West) to explore the policy landscape post-White Paper and what it means for young people, schools and trusts.

#CSTSEND

[Confederation of School Trusts @CSTvoice]

Coming up next, Simon Knight (Frank Wise School), @LeoraCruddas CBE and Claire Burton (@educationgovuk) will share reflections on the Government’s Schools White Paper, plans for SEND reform and the implications for trusts.

#CSTSEND

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We’re now hearing from @RoseUnwin, Author of Beautiful Lives: How We Got Learning Disabilities So Wrong.

#CSTSEND

[Confederation of School Trusts @CSTvoice]

We are beginning today’s programme with opening remarks from Katherine Walsh, Director of Inclusion at River Learning Trust and Chair of CST’s SEND and inclusion professional community, and @LeoraCruddas CBE.

#CSTSEND

[Confederation of School Trusts @CSTvoice]

A warm welcome to delegates joining us today at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham for CST’s SEND and Inclusion Conference 2026.

Today’s theme, Vision to practice: Leading inclusive trusts, asks how trust leaders can help build a more inclusive system for every child.

#CSTSEND