Confederation of School Trusts

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: twp.ai/4hqgRM

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: twp.ai/4hqXIh

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: twp.ai/4hqXBX

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: twp.ai/9OWaVG Explore the conference: twp.ai/4hrLJC

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: twp.ai/4hr1yJ

(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.

(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.

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

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

(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.

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

(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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Join us tomorrow for our small trust member engagement meeting where we will be joined by @BarkerAssoc who will be sharing insights and implementation recommendations about the DfE estates strategy. CST members can register for this session on MyCST.

@HFL_Education @EnergysGroup (5) @parent_friendly: twp.ai/gD9bEu

@HFL_Education @EnergysGroup (4) Hemisphere Education: twp.ai/Wpp6qm

(1) We are pleased to welcome our newest recognised suppliers to CST. Our recognised suppliers directory features organisations with a proven history of working with school trusts. Learn more about each organisation below: Radcliffe and Newlands Mortgages: twp.ai/4hpdgO