The event in Birmingham last week was the first in-person event for CST's People and culture professional community, which launched last year.
Held at the Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, part of the University of Birmingham, it drew together trust HR colleagues, experts from outside the sector, and partner organisations that support trusts.
With a theme of "Flourishing adults, flourishing children", the conference explored how culture can be intentionally crafted to foster belonging and collective identity, enhanced team cohesion and, ultimately, better outcomes for pupils.
Delegates heard from author and leadership consultant Sal Naseem about his experience on high profile misconduct cases during his time as Regional Director for London at the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and the importance of moral courage for the education sector in creating the conditions for a culture which is founded on psychological safety, inclusion, and ‘speaking-up’.
Faizal Musa, School and College Trust Leader and Dixons Academies Trust and Rebecca Curtis, Director, Research and Insights, at Ambition Institute fed back early findings from the evaluation of a nine-day working fortnight on teacher retention at the trust, reflecting on the policy’s positive impact on staff morale, flexibility, and work-life balance, as well as the practical challenges of condensed hours and strategic planning.
Education Support charity Chief Executive Sinéad McBrearty explored the critical link between human connection, relational trust, and wellbeing. Drawing on evidence-based insights, she highlighted what truly works to foster meaningful connection, alongside practical strategies to support wellbeing and prevent burnout among staff.
Delegates heard from a panel including Mandy Coalter from Talent Architects and Laura Andersen from Educators Thriving on how trusts can help make education the sector of choice for employees, and took part in guided networking session to help build contacts across the sector led by community chair Tamsin Frances, Executive Director, People, Infrastructure & Innovations at Ted Wragg Trust.
Six workshop sessions took deep dives into topics including deveoping inclusive leadership, professional development, and policy and regulation affecting school trusts.
The CST People and Culture Conference will return next year on Tuesday 10 November 2026.
