Leading practice in shared services

Next-generation service design and delivery for school trusts

 

This CST masterclass is designed for trusts that have already implemented shared services in areas such as finance, HR (and potentially IT or estates) and are seeking to evaluate and further enhance their effectiveness.

This course explores what leading-edge shared service practice looks like in today’s school trust environment, building on our designing central and shared services masterclass. No prior attendance is required – a background pack summarising key theories will be provided.

Who is it for?

  • Chief executive officers
  • Chief operating officers and trust operational leads
  • Directors of HR, IT, and estates

What you will gain

This course will give you:

  • The opportunity to understand, contribute to, and take away a best practice rubric - setting clear definitions and benchmarks for shared services in finance, HR, estates, and IT
  • Advanced strategies for enhancing shared services, including:
    • Developing service catalogues
    • Implementing helpdesks, "corporate brain” resources, and effective FAQs
    • Leveraging AI and automation for smarter service delivery
    • Building a unified "one team, one mission” culture across your trust
  • Practical methods for reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of your own shared services, using data and feedback for continual improvement

Meet your seminar leader

Chris Kirk, Director, CJK Associates

Course overview

Throughout this masterclass, you’ll hear from leaders in trusts with highly developed shared service models, giving insight into what the next generation of leading practice shared services can mean for your organisation.

Seminar content

Seminar one: Best practice framework

  • What does good practice look like?
  • Service catalogues, key performance indicators and service level agreements
  • Service culture - customers or colleagues?

Seminar two: Advanced strategies for improving existing shared services

  • Implementing helpdesks, corporate brain, and FAQs
  • Using AI and automation to improve integration and data flow between systems
  • Building a ‘one team, one mission’ culture

Seminar three: Practical methods for reviewing and evaluating

  • Continuous improvement
  • How to measure and report effectiveness
  • Using data, staff voice, and feedback

 

Dates, fees and booking

Online

7, 14 & 21 May 2026, 10:00-11:30

Book now

Fees

CST Members £270+VAT / Non-members £330+VAT

View our Terms and Conditions.

 

Company no: 05303883
Charity no: 1107640

Contact details

Confederation of School Trusts (CST)
Suite 1, Whiteley Mill
39 Nottingham Road
Stapleford
Nottingham    NG9 8AD

0115 9170142

admin@cstuk.org.uk

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