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 and geopolitical uncertainty, and why values-based decision-making has never been more important.

Drawing on her own powerful personal story and career journey, Leora offers a compelling case for strategic, resilient, and deeply human leadership. She shares what gives her hope for the future of the sector – and how trust leaders can help create the conditions for every pupil and adult in the system to truly flourish.

LINKS

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport

All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

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 deep into the realities behind the stats: what teachers are really saying about workload, retention, behaviour, flexibility, and workplace culture.

We explore surprising insights from the data, emerging challenges school leaders may not yet see coming, and the urgent changes needed to make teaching sustainable and joyful again. From early career lessons to raw messages from the profession, Laura shares reflections every trust and school leader needs to hear.

If you want to understand what’s really driving teacher stress – and how leaders can act on it – this episode is essential listening.

LINKS

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport

All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

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, sustainable, and scalable mental health offer – and the leadership mindset needed to make it happen. From using a “Mental Health Matrix” to understand needs, to supporting staff beyond signposting, to engaging families in meaningful ways, this episode is full of practical strategies trust leaders can use right now.

We also explore how trusts can measure impact, avoid tokenistic training, support emotionally based school avoidance, and foster reflective practice across their CPD offer.

LINKS

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: https://key.sc/trustsupport

All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

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 been more urgent. His powerful workshops draw on personal experience, including the story of his sister, to help young people question harmful beliefs and build empathy.

We explore how schools and trusts can engage boys without blame, the importance of who delivers PSHE messages, and the practical steps leaders can take to create safe, inclusive school environments. Bernie also shares insight on navigating conversations around masculinity, helping pupils recognise coercive behaviours, and how to support parents in tackling digital influences at home.

From developing a gender-balanced curriculum to rethinking how we teach empathy, this episode is essential listening for trust and school leaders determined to lead change.

Please note: This episode includes references to domestic violence, coercive control, misogyny, and gender-based violence. Listener discretion is advised. If you need support, a list of organisations is provided below:

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

NSPCC

Women’s Aid

Refuge

Respect

Galop

LINKS

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport

All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

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.

In a conversation full of honesty and inspiration, Ellie explains what it actually means to be a trustee in a multi-academy trust, how the opportunity came about, and why she believes it’s vital for boards to reflect the communities their schools serve. She speaks openly about navigating imposter syndrome, balancing her trustee role alongside her legal career, and what she’s learned from working with more experienced board members.

We also explore how young professionals can bring fresh thinking to decision-making, how schools and trusts can open up governance roles to more diverse candidates, and why inclusivity isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s essential for effective leadership. Ellie’s story is a compelling call to action: for boards to become more future-ready, for schools to create real pathways into governance, and for young people to recognise their potential to lead.

This episode is essential listening for anyone involved in governance, leadership, or curious about how to build more representative and purposeful trust boards.

LINKS

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport

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 decades of experience as a teacher, headteacher, local authority leader, and trust board trustee.

In this episode, Jayne gives us a clear-eyed overview of the national attendance picture, explains why visible leadership is essential in shifting culture, and outlines what it means to build an ‘attendance-drenched’ environment. We explore the practical steps trust and school leaders can take to create calm, safe, and high-expectation spaces – even when facing complex barriers like SEND, mental health, or disengagement post-COVID.

From using data more effectively and rebuilding trust with families, to addressing term-time holidays, and the balance around rewarding attendance – this episode is packed with practical insights, strategic thinking, and real-world examples leaders can apply right away.

LINKS

If you have responsibility for attendance in your school or trust, book a place on our practical leadership course on strategic leadership of attendance with Jayne Lowe, expert attendance adviser to the DfE and former headteacher - running in November 2025. 

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport

All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

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 experience captured in the BBC documentary series School.

Together, we delve into some of the most pressing issues facing education today including how to improve headteacher wellbeing, why education seems to have lost its sense of purpose, and what can be done to align schools with the rapidly evolving world outside the classroom. James shares insights on the common struggles of senior leaders, the role of MATs and LAs in supporting staff, and practical strategies for fostering wellbeing in school communities.

We also tackle larger systemic challenges, including the pressures of Ofsted, funding constraints, and a curriculum that doesn’t always cater to the full spectrum of students. James presents a vision for a more inclusive, purpose-driven education system that values broader measures of success and supports both student and staff wellbeing.

Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation that closes out series 1 with a bold call to action for the future of education.

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry 

Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.

To find out more about James Pope, visit his LinkedIn profile.

All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

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 observations on building trust and cohesion among senior leaders and staff, his approach to understanding Sheffield’s educational landscape, and the adjustments he’s making to foster a supportive, innovative culture at Mercia.

Neil shares his experiences and insights from transitioning from Dixons Academies Trust to Mercia, comparing the distinctive cultures and strategies of each, including ground breaking initiatives like the 9-day working fortnight at Dixons. We explore whether similar flexible working policies could be on the horizon at Mercia and the importance of adapting leadership practices to fit community needs and local contexts.

In our conversation, Neil also reveals the impact of documenting his first 100 days - highlighting his reflections on establishing a leadership style, creating open communication channels, and developing a vision for sustainable, internally-driven growth at Mercia. Moving away from Ofsted-driven decisions, Neil shares his vision for fostering an educational environment that prioritises the growth and development of students and staff alike, beyond external frameworks and metrics.

Whether you're an educational leader, aspiring CEO, or someone passionate about trust leadership, this episode offers an honest look into what it takes to lead with vision, balance, and community awareness.

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry 

Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.

To find out more about Neil Miley, visit his LinkedIn profile.

All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

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 strategy, focusing on creating early education programs that go beyond traditional childcare. Katie explains what makes Ark Start unique: from its emphasis on affordability and high standards to its year-round, community-focused operations. She shares how Ark Start nurtures each child’s development with a robust early learning model, ensuring that education, rather than just care, is at the heart of each nursery. Katie also highlights Ark Start’s emphasis on early intervention, as qualified staff are equipped to identify additional needs, providing crucial support from a young age.

We dive into Ark Start’s growth, with nurseries operating both inside and outside of Ark schools, and Katie talks about the opportunities and challenges of expanding Ark Start’s community reach. She shares the importance of balancing Ark Start’s unique identity while drawing on Ark’s broader values and resources, and what it means to create a supportive and consistent experience across all settings.

Katie also addresses current challenges in the early years sector, including the recruitment crisis and the need for more qualified EYFS professionals. She discusses Ark’s strategies to recruit and retain talent, and how the DfE’s recent push for more early years staff might support the sector’s growth. For other education leaders, Katie offers practical advice on building a sustainable, impactful early years model that prioritises both accessibility and excellence. Join us for this conversation as Katie unpacks Ark Start’s journey, vision, and what lies ahead in the mission to provide every child with the best possible start.

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry 

Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.

To find out more about Katie Oliver, visit her LinkedIn profile.

All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

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 troubling rise in permanent exclusions across schools, examining the factors driving these numbers and the need for a more supportive, integrated approach. We discuss how mainstream and alternative settings can build stronger partnerships to support students facing challenges in traditional school environments, offering practical strategies for collaboration that can benefit students, staff, and families alike. Stephen emphasises the importance of an adaptable, student-centred approach that meets young people where they are- rather than expecting them to conform to a one-size-fits-all model.

We also tackle the current recruitment crisis in education, a challenge impacting both mainstream and alternative provisions nationwide. Stephen shares his thoughts on why the teaching profession is struggling to attract and retain talent and what he thinks needs to change to encourage more young people into the profession.

For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry 

Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.

To find out more about Stephen Steinhaus, visit his LinkedIn profile.

All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.