Trust Matters Lessons in Leadership

In this episode, we’re joined by Steve Chalke MBE, founder of Oasis and one of the UK’s most influential voices on community, inclusion and tackling disadvantage. Across decades of work in education, housing, anti-trafficking, youth work and community leadership, Steve has focused on one central idea: if we want children and young people to thrive, we have to go beyond isolated interventions and s...

In this episode, we’re joined by Professor Becky Francis CBE, Chief Executive of the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) and one of the leading voices in England on educational inequality and the attainment gap. Across her career in research, policy and education leadership, Becky has focused on one central question: why do educational outcomes remain so closely tied to disadvantage – and what wo...

In this episode, we're joined by Michael Kane, Policy Manager at Public First and one of the lead researchers behind the Commission into Countering Online Conspiracies in Schools. Drawing on new national research with pupils, parents and teachers, Michael explores the growing spread of misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy beliefs among young people, and what this means for schools. From d...

In this episode, we're joined by John Yarham, Chief Executive of The Careers & Enterprise Company, the national organisation working to help every young person access high-quality careers education, employer experiences and pathways into future employment. With more than 25 years' experience across education, skills and careers, John shares his perspective on one of the biggest challenges faci...

In this episode, we’re joined by Cathie Paine CBE, Chief Executive of REAch2 Academy Trust, the largest primary-only trust in England. Cathie has been part of REAch2 since the very beginning, joining as the trust’s first employee in 2012. Since then, she has helped grow the organisation from 4 schools to a national organisation of 65 schools across 20 local authorities, many of which joined the tr...

In this episode, we’re joined by Robyn Ellis, school and college trust leader at Dixons Academies Trust, whose career spans both global corporate leadership and education system transformation. Drawing on her experience leading leadership development at Booking.com and now working across a major multi-academy trust, Robyn shares what education can learn from the corporate world, and where schools...

Only around 1% of headteachers in the UK are Black. What will it take to change that and what does leadership really look like when you’re one of the few? In this episode, we’re joined by Nadine Bernard, headteacher, author and founder of Aspiring Heads, and a national voice on inclusive leadership, representation and belonging in education. Nadine reflects on her journey to becoming one of the yo...

In this episode, we’re joined by Bradley Busch, co-founder of InnerDrive and a leading voice on the science of learning, memory and evidence-informed practice in education. Bradley draws on his background in elite sport and educational psychology to unpack why so much of what feels like good learning often isn’t, and how understanding memory, cognitive load and thinking can radically improve class...

In this episode, we’re joined by Sufian Sadiq, Director of Talent and Teaching School at Chiltern Learning Trust, and a national voice on equity, diversity and inclusion in education. Sufian shares his journey from growing up in Luton to leading teacher development, recruitment and retention across a trust that has bucked national trends - and explains why the “secret” isn’t a single perk or polic...

Welcome to Series 3 of Trust Matters: Lessons in Leadership - the podcast where we explore the big ideas, challenges and lived experiences shaping the future of trust and school leadership. We’re opening the series with a powerful and timely conversation about one of the most urgent issues facing education today: how we make teaching an attractive, sustainable profession again. Joining us is Baron...

Ofsted’s new inspection framework marks one of the biggest shifts in education in a generation – but what does it really mean for schools and trusts? In this special bonus episode of Trust Matters: Lessons in Leadership, Ellie speaks to Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, about his ambition to build, in his words, “the most human version of Ofsted yet.” Together, they explore: How Si...

We’re closing series 2 of Trust Matters: Lessons in Leadership with a timely and powerful conversation with Leora Cruddas CBE, Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) – and one of the most influential voices in the sector today. Leora helps us make sense of the current political, fiscal, and policy landscape. We explore what effective leadership looks like in a time of economic...

In this episode of Trust Matters: Lessons in Leadership, we’re joined by Laura McInerney – former teacher, education journalist, and co-founder of Teacher Tapp, the daily survey app used by over 10,000 teachers across the country. Laura’s journey has taken her from East London classrooms to national commentary and now into the heart of teacher voice and data. With her unique perspective, we dive d...

In this episode, we’re joined by Becci Owen, Assistant National Mental Health Lead at Oasis Community Learning – one of the largest trusts in the country. With a background in teaching, safeguarding, and emotional wellbeing, Becci now helps lead a multi-disciplinary mental health team supporting pupils, staff, and families nationwide. Becci shares what it really takes to create a meaningful, susta...

In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew ‘Bernie’ Bernard, a writer, speaker, and school workshop leader on a mission to spark brave, honest conversations about masculinity, coercive control, and gender-based violence. As toxic ideas from the online manosphere infiltrate classrooms and popular culture, and with Netflix’s Adolescence bringing national attention to the issue, Bernie’s work has never...

In this episode, we shine a light on why younger, more diverse voices are essential at the governance table. Our guest is Ellie Gadsby, a 26-year-old trustee at Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust, and a former student of the same school. Ellie joined the board in 2022 and brings a unique combination of lived experience, professional insight, and a deep understanding of her community. I...

We’re kicking off Series 2 with a powerful conversation on a topic that often dominates school and trust leadership today: attendance. Joining us is Jayne Lowe OBE, a national adviser to the Department for Education on attendance, behaviour, safeguarding, and education in youth custody. Jayne was instrumental in developing the Working Together to Improve School Attendance guidance and brings decad...

In the final episode of series 1, we’re joined by James Pope, former headteacher and founder of HeadsUp4HTs , an innovative support network for school leaders. James reflects on his journey in education, including the challenges he faced as a first-time headteacher in a school grappling with systemic issues and a ‘Special measures’ grading from Ofsted which eventually led to his resignation - an e...

In this week’s episode, we welcome Neil Miley, the newly appointed CEO of Mercia Learning Trust, who shares a unique glimpse into his journey through his first 100 days in leadership. With a career rooted in education and a dedication to supporting staff and students alike, Neil reflects on the challenges and successes he’s encountered as he transitions into his role. We delve into Neil’s observat...

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Oliver, managing director at Ark Start, as she shares insights into Ark’s mission to transform early years education. With a deep commitment to making high-quality early education accessible for all, Katie brings her expertise to discuss Ark Start’s unique approach to supporting young learners and their families. Ark Start is at the core of Ark’s 10-year str...

In part 2 of our conversation with Stephen Steinhaus, CEO of Solihull Alternative Provision Multi-Academy Trust, we delve deeper into the challenges and changes shaping alternative provision and mainstream education today. If you missed part 1, we recommend catching up for context on Stephen’s unique journey and his experience in founding the MAT. In this episode, Stephen sheds light on the troubl...

In the first part of this 2-part episode, we speak with Stephen Steinhaus, CEO of Solihull Alternative Provision Multi-Academy Trust, to dive into his remarkable journey and the groundbreaking work his trust is doing for its students. Stephen shares how his unique background, from an American footballer living in Chicago to an educator living in the UK, has shaped his approach to education leaders...

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Anita Notta, CEO of The Khalsa Academies Trust, who shares her inspiring leadership journey and the strategies she used to transform a struggling trust into a success story. Anita took on the role of CEO at a time when the trust was under a ‘notice to improve’ from the Department for Education (DfE), with serious concerns about its performance. In just over...

In this episode, we sit down with Frances Akinde, an author, SEND expert, and co-founder of the BAMEd SEND hub, to explore the most pressing issues facing SEND provision in schools today. Frances shares her personal journey from classroom teacher to headteacher of a special school, reflecting on the challenges she faced and how they shaped her work as a leader in SEND. Throughout our conversation,...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Jeffery Quaye OBE, national director of education, standards, and quality at Aspirations Academy Trust. Dr Quaye brings a wealth of experience from his decades-long career in education, which began as a classroom teacher and has taken him to a national leadership role. He talks candidly about the challenges and opportunities he encountered along the way, and how...