Designing Central and Shared Services for School Trusts

Essential principles and practice for small and growing school trusts

This CST masterclass offers practical, expert guidance on designing and establishing efficient and effective operational service in a trust. Participants will explore how to navigate the challenges and opportunities that can arise in the process, building an understanding of shared service design in the ever-evolving landscape of trust growth. The course draws upon learnings from a range of different operating models to identify and address the specific challenges in each service area.

This course is particularly relevant for trusts with significant levels of school business manager activity in finance and HR, who are considering the benefits of these local delivery models compared to a transition to a shared services approach.

Who is it for?

Chief executive officers
Chief operating officers
Executive leaders of finance, HR or trust strategy

What you will gain

This course will give you:

An understanding of what an operating model is and how it fits within your trust’s overall strategy
Guidance on how to review your current approach to service delivery, identifying strengths and areas for improvement
Knowledge of the different options for restructuring your operating model - from localised, centralised and hybrid approaches
Insight into how to design and implement a shared services model
Real-life examples from trusts that have taken different approaches to service delivery

Meet your seminar leader

Chris Kirk, Director, CJK Associates

What previous participants have said

"Really informative and helpful, with an expert presenter. Thank you.”

"The sessions were immensely thought provoking. This is a must for trusts at any stage of their journey of growth. The topics debated were both insightful and informative. Very grateful for the participation and honesty of attendees. Some hugely valuable takeaways.”

"Excellent course - so specific to our sector and incredibly useful."

"Such a useful set of sessions. Well-planned and thought-provoking. It has helped our thinking and made clear the issues that we face are common. It has also affirmed that our general approach is in the right area."

Course overview

This course will develop your understanding of shared service design for school trusts and provide practical insights into common issues and solutions in each service area.

You will also have the chance to hear from trusts with different approaches to their operations, how they went about reviewing and redesigning their services, and the lessons learned.

Seminar content

Seminar one: Growth journeys

The role of the centre in a network of schools
The growth journeys that trusts go through
The key inflection points at which trusts need to revolutionise their operating models

Seminar two: Operating models

Different approaches to trust operating models
How to set up shared services
Common challenges: requirements and accountabilities

Seminar three: Bringing services together

Identifying and addressing the specific challenges in HR, IT, operations and facilities (and finance where relevant)
Addressing challenges in the systems that work within and between them