Download your copy here
Leadership Strategies in School Trusts
Our new resource, “Leadership Strategies in School Trusts”, explores what it takes to be a high-achieving leader in a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT). Exploring leadership practices across trusts, we draw insights from those achieving top leadership scores which are above national benchmarks in our data.
The guide is based on a series of detailed interviews with over 10 members of leadership teams at MATs, featuring expert commentary from leadership mentor and former Oasis Community Learning CEO, John Murphy. We spoke to a range of key figures including Chief Executive Officers, Chief Operating Officers, HR Directors, and Headteachers.
Key topics addressed:
- Leadership Strategies: What leadership styles and strategies are prevalent among the top-performing trusts?
- Leader Perspectives: How do leaders gauge the influence of their practices on organisational performance and culture?
- Critical Challenges: What challenges do leaders face in trusts, and how do they overcome them?
- Practical Solutions: How can successful leadership practices be adapted and implemented by other trusts seeking to improve their leadership strategies?
Introduction
Effective leadership within academy trusts is intrinsically linked to staff retention, forming the bedrock of a thriving organisational culture.
Our research consistently demonstrates that strong leadership fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment among staff, which in turn significantly reduces turnover rates.
In recognition of this critical connection, “Leadership Strategies in School Trusts” merges Edurio’s robust data on leadership with firsthand insights garnered from interviews with leaders from top-performing trusts. By combining quantitative metrics with qualitative perspectives, our guide equips trusts with a holistic understanding of the pivotal role leadership plays in nurturing a strong culture and high organisational performance conducive to staff satisfaction and longevity.
Methodology
The guide begins with insights from our staff data to contextualise the importance of a strong leadership strategy. It also highlights the correlation between leadership dynamics and staff retention. We use the following survey in our analysis:
- Edurio Staff Experience and Wellbeing Survey comprised of over 49,000 staff responses from 2022/23 and over 144,000 staff responses from 2018/19 until 2022/23.
Furthermore, the second half of the report draws on interviews with leaders of school trusts, achieving exceptional leadership scores in Edurio surveys. Amongst the interviewed leaders are Christine Ellis, COO of Cranmer Education Trust; Liz Howard, HR Director of Inspiration Trust; David Harris, CEO of Engage Enrich Excel Academies; and Alison Ingram, Director of Strategy & Engagement at Nova Education Trust.
Who will find this report useful?
This comprehensive guide is a recommended read for trust and school leaders looking to better understand the nature of strong leadership practices. It gathers practical advice for trusts seeking to improve their leadership strategies.
Share 
Share 
Share