Leadership at Apple

Tailored strategy events for trust leaders

Trust leaders rarely have the chance to learn from high-performing organisations beyond the education sector, yet these opportunities can spark fresh thinking and strengthen strategic leadership. For a second year running CST is collaborating with the Apple Education team to offer CST members a unique chance to do just that.

Throughout 2025 and 2026, Apple will host nine full-day events at their UK headquarters in Battersea. Each session will bring together small groups of trust leaders for curated discussions, seminar-style presentations and a behind-the-scenes tour of Apple HQ. Each event is region-specific, enabling attendees to foster connections that extend well beyond the day itself. 

Who should attend

Trusts are invited to send two representatives, typically the chief executive and a senior colleague (we’d suggest the director of education, or senior teaching and learning manager). This encourages rich, context-specific discussions and shared learning while laying the groundwork for continued dialogue within your team.

What to expect

Attendees will experience a day of learning, inspiration and strategic growth.

The day includes:

• Seminar style sessions and curated discussions focused on leadership, vision, values, and systemic challenges.
• Opportunities for deep reflection and practical application to your trust’s unique context.
• A guided tour of Apple HQ, offering a behind the scenes look at one of the world’s most innovative organisations.

The programme is free to attend, with participants responsible for their own travel costs.

How to apply

Please email membership@cstuk.org.uk with the names of two proposed attendees, your trust’s region (if your trust has multiple regions, please indicate which session you would prefer), and a short note on why you'd like to take part. 

Places are limited and we may not be able to include all applicants. Unfortunately trusts that attended last year's programme are not eligible to take part in this year's sessions.

Feedback from previous participants

"I found the experience to be a thoroughly engaging and insightful day… being able to explore the structures and processes in place, and then reflect on how these compare and contrast with our practices in school was both thought-provoking and inspiring" – Principal, single academy trust

"What resonated in particular were themes around focus, simplicity, and detailing processes. Applying this to the context in which I work will be key moving forward” - Vice CEO, mixed trust.

"We enjoyed the aspects of exploring the culture of a prominent organisation who are out of our sector" - Director, mixed trust

"The professional generosity shown by the Apple executives was remarkable, offering a genuine glimpse into leadership within Apple" - CFO, mixed trust