Forum Strategy

A decade+ trusted in strategy and leadership development for education CEOs, execs & boards. We run national CEO & Exec Networks & the #BeingTheCEO programme

[michael pain @mikip555]

We’re yet to see what this white paper really means for trusts.

My new article for @SchoolsWeek

https://t.co/O5bDAk4xHj

[Forum Strategy @ForumStrategyUK]

"The white paper’s emphasis on community-centred trusts comes at a time when the general direction appears to be greater consolidation and mergers of trusts"

Take a look at Michael Pain's brand new @SchoolsWeek article this Easter weekend ⬇️

[michael pain @mikip555]

We’re yet to see what this white paper really means for trusts.

My new article for @SchoolsWeek

https://t.co/O5bDAk4xHj

[michael pain @mikip555]

One has to give @michaelgove and @NickGibbUK significant credit for the enormous improvements in literacy amongst young adults since 2012. The emphasis on phonics, raising the education leaving age, and empowering and mobilising excellent school leaders & teachers through the (now increasingly curtailed) freedoms of the academy trust model, were all key reforms: https://t.co/wIMv2Jl2OA

[michael pain @mikip555]

Local governance in academy trusts has long had an identity crisis; it's now discovering its real potential.

What makes an effective local governing body (LGB)?

My brand new article: https://t.co/AYbIY3GNwz

[Forum Strategy @ForumStrategyUK]

"There needs to be a narrative of shared endeavour, recognition of the scale of the task, and pragmatism about where various responsibilities lie."

A timely message for the Education Secretary and the sector as we head into this Easter break.

[michael pain @mikip555]

I am enormously concerned about the strain on trust and school leaders right now. It’s time for the Secretary of State to make a speech recognising this, setting out some quick win policies that will support trusts and schools through this period (especially on setting strict criteria on parental complaints), and being crystal clear on the responsibilities of parents & communities in securing school readiness. Ofsted feels like is has lost some nuance; trust freedoms feel increasingly curtailed; finances are stretched; responsibilities on schools feel like they’re stacking up - including in areas they have little control over such as attendance and rising complex needs; and a complaints culture - driven by a ‘customer’ rather than ‘partnership’ mindset amongst too many parents - is growing, causing anguish and sapping time and energy. This is increasingly becoming a retention issue. Every trust and school leader I talk to wants to do their very best, and believes like this is such a critical time to lead and make a difference. But…. There needs to be a narrative of shared endeavour, recognition of the scale of the task, and pragmatism about where various responsibilities lie. A clear message on all of this from @bphillipsonMP would go a long, long way right now.

[#TrustLeaders Jobs @Trust_Leaders]

🔔Job Opportunity

Via @SatisEducation

Role: Chief Executive Officer

Organisation: Affinity Learning Partnership

Location: Burton-upon-Trent

Deadline: 17 April 2026 @ 9am

Find out more: https://t.co/U9GTsFhFP2

[#TrustLeaders Jobs @Trust_Leaders]

🔔Job Opportunity

Role: Director of Education

Organisation: Concordia Multi Academy Trust

Location: Cheshire West & Chester

Deadline: 15 April 2026 @ 9am

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

[#TrustLeaders Jobs @Trust_Leaders]

🔔Job Opportunity

Role: Director of Education

Organisation: Focus Academy Trust

Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester

Deadline: 10 April 2026 @ 12pm

Find out more: https://t.co/eHpch2BSRO

[michael pain @mikip555]

The White Paper was published yesterday, so I decided to write about Gordon Brown and Clement Attlee. An alternative take on yesterday: https://t.co/6RkL1g8WAt

[Forum Strategy @ForumStrategyUK]

“Autonomy cannot sit quietly in the background as an assumption like it once did. It has to be exercised deliberately and explained clearly”

Sir Steve's take on the White Paper and a look ahead to what will be a timely #TrustLeaders Symposium this Summer

https://t.co/zQxWPvEI2E

[Forum Strategy @ForumStrategyUK]

🚨Trust strategy

We've shared some of the implications of the White Paper for the strategic development of trusts. There's also further useful reading and resources that will help boards and execs develop greater clarity and more tangible 'next steps':

https://t.co/OCsVR4WrXh

[Forum Strategy @ForumStrategyUK]

This is a fantastic example of genuine sector-level system leadership in action. Thank you for bringing this to the national CEO network, Phil. We will continue to support and hope more #TrustLeaders get involved, contribute and benefit as a result.

[Phillip Hedger @PhillipHedger]

Great to share the work of @LEOacademies at the @ForumStrategyUK National #TrustLeaders CEO Network.

With Austin Earl from @techUK, we explored how to shape a sustainable, ambitious tech vision for trusts.

MAT CEOs: help define build a digital promise👇

https://t.co/eM4sRWOwso

[michael pain @mikip555]

“It’s like patching up the leaks on an ancient dam, important in the short term, but you need to be building a brand new one behind it”

The new White Paper doesn’t come close to the zeal of Labour's great social reformers- Attlee & Brown. It’s management

https://t.co/6RkL1g8WAt

[michael pain @mikip555]

I know I may be old fashioned and a stickler for process, but why aren’t the details of the white paper being presented to Parliament first? I can’t be the only one who thinks this isn’t at all democratic. British values?

[Forum Strategy @ForumStrategyUK]

There will be a lot of noise and conjecture in the coming days.

#ThrivingTrusts (defined in 2023) are about, in essence:

https://t.co/9rOBUxndh5

[Forum Strategy @ForumStrategyUK]

Our partners @SchoolsAdvisory have such a long track record, going back over many years

Their commitment to championing & supporting the wellbeing of those who serve pupils, day in, day out, runs through their work.

Find out more at: https://t.co/lpjAyq03cZ

#PaidPartnership

[Schools Advisory Service @SchoolsAdvisory]

❄️ Burnout and illness rise in winter months.
Keep your school protected all year round with SAS. #WinterReady
👉https://t.co/FRbxl0dq34

[Fortis Trust @FortisTrust]

We are extremely proud to have had an article in last week's @ForumStrategyUK's Resource of the week!

This article showcases the work we do as a trust, with @Forward2Employ, for young people facing barriers to employment.

Read the article!

#Employment
https://t.co/9ce0wiWBmj

[Alice Gregson @AliceGregson3]

@ForumStrategyUK are delighted to be working with author & experienced COO, Jennifer Geary, to offer members of our National Operations Leaders Network access to this quality course👇Join our network & access a huge range of benefits including this course: https://t.co/P6itORZrEY

[Forum Strategy @ForumStrategyUK]

What are #ThrivingTrusts?

Take a look at our framework and extensive body of thinkpieces and resources, here:

https://t.co/9rOBUxndh5

[Schools Advisory Service @SchoolsAdvisory]

🌍 Today is World Mental Health Day! 💚 #WMHD25
This year’s focus is on the impact of repeated exposure to news coverage of crises and conflicts. Read more from @mentalhealth
👉 https://t.co/bQLJf4sBXc