Professional development is the top workforce priority for school trusts according to CST’s 2025 National School Trust Report, with trusts of all sizes recognising the importance of training in retention and recruitment of staff.
It was also at the core of this year’s CST Annual Conference theme of ‘flourishing’, reflecting the need for adults in schools to be performing at their best to support pupils to do the same.
The new partnership sees BeReady joining the Confederation's platinum partner scheme, which brings together leading education-focused organisations and CST’s members, together responsible for the education of nearly four million young people.
The connection will help open up BeReady’s range of training courses to CST’s member trusts. Its core courses cover key areas like SEND, early years, safeguarding, and wellbeing, are CPD accredited, and can be fully funded by using the government’s Growth and Skills Levy.
BeReady also offers targeted development for trust leaders, helping executive leaders make the transition to chief executives by enhancing their knowledge of workforce, finance and operations, governance, and organisational development, and by establishing their own leadership style.
CST Chief Executive Leora Cruddas CBE said: "We cannot hope to have children succeed if the adults working on their behalf are not themselves flourishing.
“There is so much talent in our school trusts, and training and development is a crucial part of unlocking that, so we are pleased to welcome BeReady as a partner.”
BeReady Chief Learning Officer Kyle Burrows said: "This partnership will enable even more schools and trusts to maximise the skills and expertise of their teams through fully funded high-impact development programmes.
"Our bespoke provision enhances knowledge, performance and motivation, supporting improved recruitment, retention and outcomes without placing additional financial pressure on schools. Our by the sector for the sector approach ensures that every programme is targeted, relevant and focused on solving acute sector challenges.”
