The conference will also feature Secretary of State for Education Lucy Powell’s first major speech to an education event, and keynote addresses from Ofsted HMCI Sir Martyn Oliver and Ofqual chief regulator Sir Ian Bauckham CBE.
In her speech, Cruddas will argue that school trusts have played a vital role in transforming educational opportunity in some of England's most disadvantaged communities, refusing to accept that poor outcomes are inevitable and building schools in which children can flourish.
"Part of the story of the academy trust movement is the story of the renewal of comprehensive education," she is expected to say.
"There is nothing comprehensive about a school system in which the quality of a child's education is determined by the circumstances of their birth or the postcode in which they grow up."
"I am proud of the disruptive, animating spirit of the trust sector that said: we do not accept that lesser outcomes are inevitable in poor communities. We will build a school system that serves all our children."
She will argue that the comprehensive principle is a mindset, not a type of school. It must mean a genuine entitlement to educational excellence, irrespective of background or geography.
Cruddas will pay tribute to trust leaders who have taken responsibility for schools facing entrenched educational disadvantage, strengthened teaching and leadership, and created schools that parents are proud to send their children to.
The speech will highlight new research from CST and ImpactEd examining the contribution of school trusts to educational improvement.
Drawing on two decades of evidence, Cruddas will argue that trusts are demonstrating their capacity to improve outcomes for disadvantaged pupils, develop teachers and leaders, strengthen school improvement and share effective professional practice across schools.
She will point to the cross-party history of academy trusts, from their origins under a Labour government through successive administrations, and the current government's commitment to every school becoming part of a strong trust.
She will also acknowledge that the sector must remain open to challenge and scrutiny.
"Our first loyalty is not to the academy trust as an organisational form. It is to the children and young people in whose interests that form exists," she is expected to say.
Turning to curriculum reform, Cruddas will welcome the government's recognition that technical and vocational qualifications have not received sufficient attention.
She will highlight the need to strengthen the quality and status of technical awards at age 16, including the introduction of national standards and content, and equivalent regulation to existing qualifications like GCSEs
The speech will set out a vision for the next chapter of educational reform, with school trusts playing a greater civic role through partnerships with local government, employers, health services, and universities – while not neglecting the core focus of running great schools.
She will argue that the next phase of reform must move beyond the question of how to build better institutions to consider how strong institutions can contribute to better places, with public services built on relationships, reciprocity and shared responsibility.
"The future trust is not merely a more efficient organisation. It is a more relational institution. Truly civic, anchored in community and connection,” she will say.
Reflecting on eight years since the establishment of CST, Cruddas will conclude with a call for greater collaboration across the school system.
Drawing on the conference theme of connection, she will argue that trusts are not simply collections of schools, but communities of professional purpose capable of building shared knowledge, distributing expertise and taking collective responsibility for children.
She will call on leaders to build stronger relationships within trusts, across the education sector and with the wider civic institutions that shape children's lives.
Across the two days of the conference, school trust leaders will hear from more than 100 speakers talking on key education topics including special educational needs and inclusion, curriculum design, the use of AI in teaching and school operations, tackling misinformation, and school and trust inspection.
The event at the ICC in Birmingham is the biggest event for school trust leaders in England, welcoming more than 1600 delegates, speakers, and exhibitors.
