CST Membership

The Confederation of School Trusts is the sector body for School Trusts in England. We advocate for, connect and support executive and governance leaders.

We are proud to support and represent school trusts of all sizes and from every region in England. More than two thirds of all academies are in CST membership, increasing our influence and impact as the voice of school trusts.

We are the only organisation that speaks exclusively for school trusts, from single schools to national groups, to help you to achieve your principal charitable object – to advance education for public benefit.

We believe in a system that holds trust on behalf of children. Our work with policymakers, partners and practitioners creates the knowledge and support for building strong trusts.

Membership types

There are three ways to join the Confederation of School Trusts:

• Trust membership is at the heart of everything we do. Every school trust in England can be a member of CST to benefit from our advocacy and support. Our members include trusts of every size, and schools of all types.
• School membership is for maintained, independent, and international schools wanting to understand and connect with the Trust school sector. It is a valuable resource for those considering forming or joining a trust.
• Affiliate membership is for the diocesan and local education authority advisory teams that support schools and school trusts.

Find out more and join

CST is the membership body and national sector body for school trusts, with over 1,000 school trusts within our ranks - representing more than two-thirds of all academies.

Membership is for your whole trust - including your leadership teams, members and trustees, and local governance volunteers. As your sector body, we:

Read more about the ways in which we act on your behalf in our impact reports.

CST members enjoy a strong range of benefits including:

• Regular e-mail briefings on the latest government announcements, policy, research, and events
• Access to our fortnightly online leadership exchange
• Ability to join our Professional Communities to share and develop specialist knowledge
• A helpdesk service for all matters relating to school trusts
• Access to our member-only guidance, research, and thought leadership
• Invitations to free seminars and webinars
• Preferential rates on our professional development, consultancy services, and conferences
• Access to the best support and thought leadership for our sector, from our Platinum Partners, Strategic Partners, and through our Directory of Services

Membership fees

We want CST membership to be accessible and affordable. Our fee structure is fair and proportionate, based upon the number of schools in your trust. Annual membership starts from as little as £170 a year for a single primary school trust.

See fees and join

What our members say...

"For any trusts out there who aren’t members of @CSTvoice, I would strongly urge you to sign up today. Not only is @LeoraCruddas a considered and eloquent voice for school trusts, @CSTvoice also have MAHOOSIVE ears. They listen and advocate, relentlessly." Warren Carratt, CEO, Nexus MAT

"Membership of CST was my best and most lucky decision of the year." Gary Lewis, CEO, Lighthouse Schools Partnership

"Can’t speak highly enough of the support @CSTvoice has provided. Thank you @LeoraCruddas." Mike Westerdale, CEO, Brigantia Learning Trust

"Being part of @CSTvoice family has been a wonderfully supportive and inspiring experience and so vital at this challenging time for the sector." Stephen Chamberlain, CEO, Active Learning Trust