A decade trusted in strategy and leadership development for education CEOs, execs & boards. We run national CEO & Exec Networks & the #BeingTheCEO programme
Joined May 2010
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3,153 Photos and videos
"The white paper’s emphasis on community-centred trusts comes at a time when the general direction appears to be greater consolidation and mergers of trusts"
Take a look at Michael Pain's brand new @SchoolsWeek article this Easter weekend ⬇️
Apr 2
We’re yet to see what this white paper really means for trusts.
My new article for @SchoolsWeek
schoolsweek.co.uk/were-yet-t…
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Forum Strategy retweeted
Mar 27
One has to give @michaelgove and @NickGibbUK significant credit for the enormous improvements in literacy amongst young adults since 2012. The emphasis on phonics, raising the education leaving age, and empowering and mobilising excellent school leaders & teachers through the (now increasingly curtailed) freedoms of the academy trust model, were all key reforms: assets.publishing.service.go…
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Forum Strategy retweeted
Mar 23
Local governance in academy trusts has long had an identity crisis; it's now discovering its real potential.
What makes an effective local governing body (LGB)?
My brand new article: forumstrategy.org/local-gove…
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"There needs to be a narrative of shared endeavour, recognition of the scale of the task, and pragmatism about where various responsibilities lie."
A timely message for the Education Secretary and the sector as we head into this Easter break.
Mar 27
I am enormously concerned about the strain on trust and school leaders right now. It’s time for the Secretary of State to make a speech recognising this, setting out some quick win policies that will support trusts and schools through this period (especially on setting strict criteria on parental complaints), and being crystal clear on the responsibilities of parents & communities in securing school readiness. Ofsted feels like is has lost some nuance; trust freedoms feel increasingly curtailed; finances are stretched; responsibilities on schools feel like they’re stacking up - including in areas they have little control over such as attendance and rising complex needs; and a complaints culture - driven by a ‘customer’ rather than ‘partnership’ mindset amongst too many parents - is growing, causing anguish and sapping time and energy. This is increasingly becoming a retention issue. Every trust and school leader I talk to wants to do their very best, and believes like this is such a critical time to lead and make a difference. But…. There needs to be a narrative of shared endeavour, recognition of the scale of the task, and pragmatism about where various responsibilities lie. A clear message on all of this from @bphillipsonMP would go a long, long way right now.
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Forum Strategy retweeted
🔔Job Opportunity
Via @SatisEducation
Role: Chief Executive Officer
Organisation: Affinity Learning Partnership
Location: Burton-upon-Trent
Deadline: 17 April 2026 @ 9am
Find out more: forumstrategy.org/job/chief-…
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Forum Strategy retweeted
🔔Job Opportunity
Role: Director of Education
Organisation: Concordia Multi Academy Trust
Location: Cheshire West & Chester
Deadline: 15 April 2026 @ 9am
Find out more: forumstrategy.org/job/direct…
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Forum Strategy retweeted
🔔Job Opportunity
Role: Director of Education
Organisation: Focus Academy Trust
Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester
Deadline: 10 April 2026 @ 12pm
Find out more: forumstrategy.org/job/educat…
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Forum Strategy retweeted
Feb 24
The White Paper was published yesterday, so I decided to write about Gordon Brown and Clement Attlee. An alternative take on yesterday: forumstrategy.org/a-firefigh…
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“Autonomy cannot sit quietly in the background as an assumption like it once did. It has to be exercised deliberately and explained clearly”
Sir Steve's take on the White Paper and a look ahead to what will be a timely #TrustLeaders Symposium this Summer
forumstrategy.org/sir-steves…
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🚨Trust strategy
We've shared some of the implications of the White Paper for the strategic development of trusts. There's also further useful reading and resources that will help boards and execs develop greater clarity and more tangible 'next steps':
forumstrategy.org/separating…
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This is a fantastic example of genuine sector-level system leadership in action. Thank you for bringing this to the national CEO network, Phil. We will continue to support and hope more #TrustLeaders get involved, contribute and benefit as a result.
Feb 25
Great to share the work of @LEOacademies at the @ForumStrategyUK National #TrustLeaders CEO Network.
With Austin Earl from @techUK, we explored how to shape a sustainable, ambitious tech vision for trusts.
MAT CEOs: help define build a digital promise👇
forms.office.com/Pages/Respo…
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Forum Strategy retweeted
Feb 23
“It’s like patching up the leaks on an ancient dam, important in the short term, but you need to be building a brand new one behind it”
The new White Paper doesn’t come close to the zeal of Labour's great social reformers- Attlee & Brown. It’s management
forumstrategy.org/a-firefigh…
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Forum Strategy retweeted
Feb 22
I know I may be old fashioned and a stickler for process, but why aren’t the details of the white paper being presented to Parliament first? I can’t be the only one who thinks this isn’t at all democratic. British values?
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There will be a lot of noise and conjecture in the coming days.
#ThrivingTrusts (defined in 2023) are about, in essence:
forumstrategy.org/thriving-t…
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27 Nov 2025
Our partners @SchoolsAdvisory have such a long track record, going back over many years
Their commitment to championing & supporting the wellbeing of those who serve pupils, day in, day out, runs through their work.
Find out more at: schooladvice.co.uk
#PaidPartnership
20 Nov 2025
❄️ Burnout and illness rise in winter months.
Keep your school protected all year round with SAS. #WinterReady
👉quote.schoolsadvice.co.uk
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Forum Strategy retweeted
20 Oct 2025
We are extremely proud to have had an article in last week's @ForumStrategyUK's Resource of the week!
This article showcases the work we do as a trust, with @Forward2Employ, for young people facing barriers to employment.
Read the article!
#Employment
forumstrategy.org/fortis-tru…
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Forum Strategy retweeted
21 Oct 2025
@ForumStrategyUK are delighted to be working with author & experienced COO, Jennifer Geary, to offer members of our National Operations Leaders Network access to this quality course👇Join our network & access a huge range of benefits including this course: forumstrategy.org/trustleade…
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15 Oct 2025
What are #ThrivingTrusts?
Take a look at our framework and extensive body of thinkpieces and resources, here:
forumstrategy.org/thriving-t…
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Forum Strategy retweeted
10 Oct 2025
🌍 Today is World Mental Health Day! 💚 #WMHD25
This year’s focus is on the impact of repeated exposure to news coverage of crises and conflicts. Read more from @mentalhealth
👉 mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work…
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2 Oct 2025
Our partners @SchoolsAdvisory are hosting this important live webinar at 4pm on 21st October.
#BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
Find out more⬇️
2 Oct 2025
🎀 Join us this #BreastCancerAwareness Month for a live webinar on education, early detection & support.
📅 Oct 21
🕓 4–5pm
🔗events.teams.microsoft.com/e…
#MakeADifference #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
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