The aim of this framework is to identify trusts' most significant areas of strength and challenge, so that they can build organisational capacity. It is diagnostic, not evaluative, or judgemental. The framework is supported by Ambition Institute, Challenge Partners, Evidence Based Education, the National Institute of Teaching, and ImpactEd. Updated September 2024.
It includes questions based on the DfE’s Trust Quality Descriptions, however, the purposes behind CST’s paper on Building Strong Trusts and the DfE’s Trust Quality Descriptions are very different. The DfE’s intention is to set out the definitions of quality to inform their regional directors’ commissioning work. CST’s work is about supporting the sector to build organisational strength and resilience.
This document is supplied as an interactive PDF with ratings and notes fields that can be filled in electronically. It can also be printed out if preferred.
The framework is supported by:
- Ambition Institute
- Challenge Partners
- Evidence Based Education
- ImpactEd
- National Institute of Teaching
Overview of sector frameworks and when to use them
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Framework |
What is it? |
When to use it |
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A high-level, developmental assurance tool aligned with CST's Building strong trusts and the DfE’s Trust Quality Descriptions |
To test elements of the trust's strength across seven domains: governance; leadership; high quality, inclusive education; school improvement; workforce; finance and operations; and public benefit Can be used to inform growth strategy |
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A deep dive into the activities and functions that influence strong governance performance, to be used in conjunction with guidance, Governing a School Trust |
To test the strength of a trust’s governance |
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A deep dive to help a trust understand its current capacity to support and drive school improvement |
To build and strengthen current capacity and potentially to grow capacity to support more schools |
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A voluntary, sector-led code which sets out the principles, desired outcomes, and recommended practice for effective governance |
To test the principles of good governance and the behaviours, commitments and practices that inform them |
