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Practical insights to lead your trust beyond the school gates
Launched July 2025
This report draws on 464 responses from CST’s National School Trust Survey, conducted in 2023 and 2024, capturing insights from trust leaders across the nation. It examines how CEOs have established partnerships that bring their trusts closer to being the civic heartbeat of their communities. Their responses reveal a sector stepping confidently into a wider civic role. This can be seen from these top three themes:
- 82% highlighted Community Services and Local Regeneration, as trusts turn libraries, sports hubs and adult-learning centres into local anchor institutions.
- 35% pointed to Strategic Leadership and Governance, where CEOs now shape inclusion panels and health and wellbeing boards.
- 23% celebrated Pupil Voice and Civic Participation, giving young people real influence through youth councils and policy consultations.
This report distils those insights into ten practical themes you can adapt to your context. It demonstrates what meaningful collaboration looks like in day-to-day practice and how it enhances learning, wellbeing, and community resilience.
Why download?
- Actionable examples – real initiatives from trusts nationwide, ready to spark ideas.
- Leader-centred reflection prompts – questions to help assess current practice and shape next steps.
- Evidence you can trust – grounded in the voices of hundreds of CEOs.
Ready to explore new partnerships?
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