The rock tumbler smooths the stone by way of tumbling it against other rocks that enter the chasm with rough edges. The stone leaves the tumbler shiny and smooth. I like to think that effective Trusts act in a similar way - focusing on building the cultural levers that provide the framework within which ideas are developed, nurtured, tested, and contested, and formed for effective action. They then mobilise the collective intellectual capital and best practice for maximum impact for more children. Effective Trusts curate great ideas by connecting professionals in networks of exchange that build consensus around what constitutes the best practice. This consensus emerges from robust debate, diversity of thought and opinion, and a commitment to the principle of contestability. This happens best within a culture that is clear on principles and values – Trusts can do this well.
Read moreOur recent PLMR state-of-the-nation report looked at the current state of the school system in England as it is now on the cusp of its 10,000th academ...
Read moreIt’s twelve months since I wrote my first article for Trust journal and it’s just over twelve months that I’ve had the privilege of being Deputy...
Read moreLast December I was fortunate to attend a webinar delivered by the leadership coach, Mitzi Wyman, entitled ‘The Lure of the Inner Ring’. Her content...
Read moreSchool Trusts have been working tirelessly during the pandemic to support their schools and communities. But has that been appreciated by staff working...
Read more“May you live in interesting times” is, allegedly, an expression embraced by the English, taken from a Chinese curse. Before the COVID-19 pandemic...
Read moreWhen we opened Reach Academy Feltham in 2012 it was with the conviction that we would deliver a life of choice and opportunity for our pupils only if we...
Read moreWe know we need to be attracting great people into the teaching profession, and that we want to retain and develop that talent. This was true well before...
Read moreWe have seen a plethora of articles and blogs written over the past few months, regarding all aspects of education. Many have called for fundamental and...
Read moreAs the lockdown eases and we continue to refine our Trust’s strategic approach in readiness for the new academic year, being agile and confident in response...
Read moreLife in a school or trust is always busy and full of challenges but a global pandemic has brought new problems for schools to wrestle with.
Read moreWhen I was asked to write this piece, the world was a different place. The original article that I had written was about how we were working across REAch2...
Read moreSchool trusts are facing unprecedented reputational challenges in a post truth world. Whilst the requirement for schools to have an online presence is...
Read moreIn their excellent book, The Founder’s Mentality, Zook and Allen talk about the insurgent mission as one of the key features of the founders of successful...
Read moreIn a period of political uncertainty, many trusts find themselves facing forceful intervention by the DfE when one of their academies gets into trouble....
Read moreEarlier this year, I was delighted to give evidence to the UPP Foundation Civic University Commission. It was a privilege to have the opportunity to think...
Read moreWelcome to the first edition of Trust for the new 2019/20 academic year. I am pleased to provide my synopsis of the range of topical subjects covered in...
Read moreAcademy trusts’ financial circumstances are becoming more challenging and increasing numbers are now seen to be at risk of insolvency. With the fall...
Read moreSince multi-academy trusts were created, or school trusts as we would now know them, there has been much discussion about what it is that great MATs do...
Read moreAt the legal and ethical heart of what we do as academy trusts lies something bold and aspirational – our core charitable purpose is to advance education...
Read moreOnce upon a time, schools were schools. Some of them were good, some of them less so. But they were all schools – and they were all called schools, whether...
Read moreLearn-AT launched in September 2016 – a mixed Church of England and Community multi-academy trust of seven primary schools, all aligned around a vision...
Read moreWelcome to the second edition of Trust, our Journal for Executive and Governance Leaders.
Read moreSince its earliest days, the academy movement has provoked fierce debate on the merits of centralisation. For some schools, a centralised management model...
Read moreReminding ourselves of our core purpose in education is undoubtedly one of the most important elements in building a strong and resilient school system....
Read moreOver the past decade, academies have become a powerful force in education reform. With half of our children and young people in England educated in the...
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