Trust Matters Lessons in Leadership

In this episode, we’re joined by Robyn Ellis, school and college trust leader at Dixons Academies Trust, whose career spans both global corporate leadership and education system transformation. Drawing on her experience leading leadership development at Booking.com and now working across a major multi-academy trust, Robyn shares what education can learn from the corporate world, and where schools must lead differently. She explores how leadership systems, culture and organisational design shape staff experience, and why bold decisions — including removing job titles, introducing coaching-led performance development, and implementing a 9-day fortnight — can transform how organisations operate. We explore: What education can learn from global corporate leadership development Why relationships, coaching and organisational health sit at the heart of effective leadership Dixons’ decision to remove traditional job titles and what it changed about culture and collaboration The thinking behind the 9-day fortnight for teachers and what has been learned about making flexible working viable in schools Why leaders should focus on protecting energy, not just time Leadership habits that matter most in high-pressure environments Why joy, purpose and mission are essential to sustaining leadership over time This is a thoughtful and practical conversation for trust and school leaders thinking about leadership development, flexible working, culture and building sustainable organisations where both staff and pupils can thrive. LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Robyn on LinkedIn. All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

Only around 1% of headteachers in the UK are Black. What will it take to change that and what does leadership really look like when you’re one of the few? In this episode, we’re joined by Nadine Bernard, headteacher, author and founder of Aspiring Heads, and a national voice on inclusive leadership, representation and belonging in education. Nadine reflects on her journey to becoming one of the youngest Black headteachers in the UK, sharing the realities of stepping into leadership early, navigating visibility and bias, and leading a school through significant transformation to achieve strong outcomes. Drawing on her experience turning around a previously closed school, she explores how high expectations, inclusive culture and relationship-centred leadership can work together to deliver both belonging and achievement. We explore: What stepping into headship at 31 taught her about leadership, visibility and resilience The non-negotiables she put in place to lead school turnaround and sustained improvement Why belonging and relationships sit at the heart of behaviour and pupil success Balancing compassion, nurture and strong academic outcomes The systemic barriers facing aspiring leaders from under-represented backgrounds What meaningful allyship looks like in school leadership How leadership systems can better support sustainable careers, including motherhood and wellbeing This is a powerful and reflective conversation for trust and school leaders who want to build inclusive cultures, support diverse leadership pathways and create schools where both staff and pupils can thrive. LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Nadine on LinkedIn. All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

In this episode, we’re joined by Bradley Busch, co-founder of InnerDrive and a leading voice on the science of learning, memory and evidence-informed practice in education. Bradley draws on his background in elite sport and educational psychology to unpack why so much of what feels like good learning often isn’t, and how understanding memory, cognitive load and thinking can radically improve classroom practice. He also explores some of the biggest and most contested issues facing schools right now, including mobile phones, AI, behaviour and assessment, through a research-informed lens. We explore: Why memory is the residue of thought, and what this means for teaching and learning Common misconceptions around revision, studying and “effective” learning strategies What the evidence says about banning mobile phones in schools How AI can support performance, but undermine learning if it replaces thinking Behaviour, expectations and what research suggests really improves classroom culture Homework, assessment and fairness in an age of AI-generated work This is a thoughtful, evidence-rich conversation for trust and school leaders who want to cut through noise and want to make more confident, evidence-informed decisions about teaching and learning. LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Bradley on LinkedIn. All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

In this episode, we’re joined by Sufian Sadiq, Director of Talent and Teaching School at Chiltern Learning Trust, and a national voice on equity, diversity and inclusion in education. Sufian shares his journey from growing up in Luton to leading teacher development, recruitment and retention across a trust that has bucked national trends - and explains why the “secret” isn’t a single perk or policy. It’s people. Specifically, the everyday behaviours of leaders and line managers, and whether staff feel they belong, are supported, and are treated well. We explore: Why retention lives and dies in the relationship between a staff member and their line manager What it means to be a “good egg” leader and why you can’t just assume everyone is How Chiltern Learning Trust has strengthened recruitment through a community-first approach Why diversifying the workforce can’t be a numbers game, and what meaningful equity looks like in practice How networks shape who gets opportunities and how Sufian’s Racial Equity Network dinners are changing that Sufian’s perspective on the rise of extremism, normalised racism and political polarisation - and the responsibility of schools in responding to it This is a powerful conversation about leadership as service, building belonging, and creating cultures where talented people want to stay and thrive. LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Sufian on LinkedIn. All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

Welcome to Series 3 of Trust Matters: Lessons in Leadership - the podcast where we explore the big ideas, challenges and lived experiences shaping the future of trust and school leadership. We’re opening the series with a powerful and timely conversation about one of the most urgent issues facing education today: how we make teaching an attractive, sustainable profession again. Joining us is Baroness Mary Bousted, Chair of The Teaching Commission and one of the most influential voices in education. Mary began her career as an English teacher before moving into teacher training and, ultimately, union leadership. She went on to serve as Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union, representing more than half a million members, and has been a tireless advocate for teachers’ working lives, professional autonomy and wellbeing. In this episode, we explore the findings of the Teaching Commission’s Shaping the Future of Teaching report, which reveals the scale of the recruitment and retention crisis - including the fact that 40% of teachers leave the profession within 10 years, and that it now takes 10 new teachers to replace every 7 who leave. Mary reflects on her leadership journey, what she learned leading one of the UK’s largest unions, and what continues to drive her sense of purpose. We dig into the roots of excessive workload, the role of leadership culture in staff wellbeing, the impact of poverty and shrinking public services on schools, and why flexible working must become a serious part of the conversation. This is a thoughtful, challenging and deeply informed conversation about leadership, trust, and what it will really take to rebuild teaching as a profession people want to stay in. LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Mary on LinkedIn. Read Mary’s book: Support Not Surveillance: How to solve the teacher retention crisis All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

Ofsted’s new inspection framework marks one of the biggest shifts in education in a generation – but what does it really mean for schools and trusts? In this special bonus episode of Trust Matters: Lessons in Leadership, Ellie speaks to Sir Martyn Oliver, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, about his ambition to build, in his words, “the most human version of Ofsted yet.” Together, they explore: How Sir Martyn’s years leading schools in challenging contexts have shaped his approach to inspection Why he describes the disadvantage gap as “the problem of our time” The move from a single overall effectiveness grade to more nuanced judgments What it means to see vulnerability as a state, not a trait, and why belong, achieve, thrive runs through the framework How inspectors are being asked to use context, dialogue and professional curiosity to reduce “big reveal” moments What healthy “Ofsted readiness” looks like and what Ofsted is doing to reduce unnecessary stress for leaders and staff This is a rare chance to step inside the thinking of the person leading Ofsted’s reform and to hear, in his own words, why “Ofsted must help, it mustn’t hinder” if the system is to serve all children, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

We’re closing series 2 of Trust Matters: Lessons in Leadership with a timely and powerful conversation with Leora Cruddas CBE, Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts (CST) – and one of the most influential voices in the sector today. Leora helps us make sense of the current political, fiscal, and policy landscape. We explore what effective leadership looks like in a time of economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and why values-based decision-making has never been more important. Drawing on her own powerful personal story and career journey, Leora offers a compelling case for strategic, resilient, and deeply human leadership. She shares what gives her hope for the future of the sector – and how trust leaders can help create the conditions for every pupil and adult in the system to truly flourish. LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Leora Cruddas CBE on LinkedIn: Leora Cruddas CBE All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

In this episode of Trust Matters: Lessons in Leadership, we’re joined by Laura McInerney – former teacher, education journalist, and co-founder of Teacher Tapp, the daily survey app used by over 10,000 teachers across the country. Laura’s journey has taken her from East London classrooms to national commentary and now into the heart of teacher voice and data. With her unique perspective, we dive deep into the realities behind the stats: what teachers are really saying about workload, retention, behaviour, flexibility, and workplace culture. We explore surprising insights from the data, emerging challenges school leaders may not yet see coming, and the urgent changes needed to make teaching sustainable and joyful again. From early career lessons to raw messages from the profession, Laura shares reflections every trust and school leader needs to hear. If you want to understand what’s really driving teacher stress – and how leaders can act on it – this episode is essential listening. LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Laura McInerney on LinkedIn: Laura McInerney All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

In this episode, we’re joined by Becci Owen, Assistant National Mental Health Lead at Oasis Community Learning – one of the largest trusts in the country. With a background in teaching, safeguarding, and emotional wellbeing, Becci now helps lead a multi-disciplinary mental health team supporting pupils, staff, and families nationwide. Becci shares what it really takes to create a meaningful, sustainable, and scalable mental health offer – and the leadership mindset needed to make it happen. From using a “Mental Health Matrix” to understand needs, to supporting staff beyond signposting, to engaging families in meaningful ways, this episode is full of practical strategies trust leaders can use right now. We also explore how trusts can measure impact, avoid tokenistic training, support emotionally based school avoidance, and foster reflective practice across their CPD offer. LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: https://key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: https://key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Becci Owen on LinkedIn. All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew ‘Bernie’ Bernard, a writer, speaker, and school workshop leader on a mission to spark brave, honest conversations about masculinity, coercive control, and gender-based violence. As toxic ideas from the online manosphere infiltrate classrooms and popular culture, and with Netflix’s Adolescence bringing national attention to the issue, Bernie’s work has never been more urgent. His powerful workshops draw on personal experience, including the story of his sister, to help young people question harmful beliefs and build empathy. We explore how schools and trusts can engage boys without blame, the importance of who delivers PSHE messages, and the practical steps leaders can take to create safe, inclusive school environments. Bernie also shares insight on navigating conversations around masculinity, helping pupils recognise coercive behaviours, and how to support parents in tackling digital influences at home. From developing a gender-balanced curriculum to rethinking how we teach empathy, this episode is essential listening for trust and school leaders determined to lead change. Please note: This episode includes references to domestic violence, coercive control, misogyny, and gender-based violence. Listener discretion is advised. If you need support, a list of organisations is provided below: National Domestic Abuse Helpline NSPCC Women’s Aid Refuge Respect Galop LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Bernie on LinkedIn: Andrew ‘Bernie’ Bernard All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

In this episode, we shine a light on why younger, more diverse voices are essential at the governance table. Our guest is Ellie Gadsby, a 26-year-old trustee at Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust, and a former student of the same school. Ellie joined the board in 2022 and brings a unique combination of lived experience, professional insight, and a deep understanding of her community. In a conversation full of honesty and inspiration, Ellie explains what it actually means to be a trustee in a multi-academy trust, how the opportunity came about, and why she believes it’s vital for boards to reflect the communities their schools serve. She speaks openly about navigating imposter syndrome, balancing her trustee role alongside her legal career, and what she’s learned from working with more experienced board members. We also explore how young professionals can bring fresh thinking to decision-making, how schools and trusts can open up governance roles to more diverse candidates, and why inclusivity isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s essential for effective leadership. Ellie’s story is a compelling call to action: for boards to become more future-ready, for schools to create real pathways into governance, and for young people to recognise their potential to lead. This episode is essential listening for anyone involved in governance, leadership, or curious about how to build more representative and purposeful trust boards. LINKS For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Ellie on LinkedIn: Ellie Gadsby

We’re kicking off Series 2 with a powerful conversation on a topic that often dominates school and trust leadership today: attendance. Joining us is Jayne Lowe OBE, a national adviser to the Department for Education on attendance, behaviour, safeguarding, and education in youth custody. Jayne was instrumental in developing the Working Together to Improve School Attendance guidance and brings decades of experience as a teacher, headteacher, local authority leader, and trust board trustee. In this episode, Jayne gives us a clear-eyed overview of the national attendance picture, explains why visible leadership is essential in shifting culture, and outlines what it means to build an ‘attendance-drenched’ environment. We explore the practical steps trust and school leaders can take to create calm, safe, and high-expectation spaces – even when facing complex barriers like SEND, mental health, or disengagement post-COVID. From using data more effectively and rebuilding trust with families, to addressing term-time holidays, and the balance around rewarding attendance – this episode is packed with practical insights, strategic thinking, and real-world examples leaders can apply right away. LINKS Interested in learning more? Join Jayne on our strategic leadership of attendance course to see expert analysis of attendance data in action, immerse yourself in strategies that have got vulnerable pupils into school, day in, day out, and feel on top of Ofsted’s new report card. For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit: key.sc/trustsupport Subscribe to our newsletter, Trust Matters: key.sc/trustmatters Connect with Jayne Lowe OBE on LinkedIn: Jayne Lowe OBE All views expressed in this episode are the guest’s own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

In the final episode of series 1, we’re joined by James Pope, former headteacher and founder of HeadsUp4HTs, an innovative support network for school leaders. James reflects on his journey in education, including the challenges he faced as a first-time headteacher in a school grappling with systemic issues and a ‘Special measures’ grading from Ofsted which eventually led to his resignation - an experience captured in the BBC documentary series School. Together, we delve into some of the most pressing issues facing education today including how to improve headteacher wellbeing, why education seems to have lost its sense of purpose, and what can be done to align schools with the rapidly evolving world outside the classroom. James shares insights on the common struggles of senior leaders, the role of MATs and LAs in supporting staff, and practical strategies for fostering wellbeing in school communities. We also tackle larger systemic challenges, including the pressures of Ofsted, funding constraints, and a curriculum that doesn’t always cater to the full spectrum of students. James presents a vision for a more inclusive, purpose-driven education system that values broader measures of success and supports both student and staff wellbeing. Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation that closes out series 1 with a bold call to action for the future of education. For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters. To find out more about James Pope, visit his LinkedIn profile. All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

In this week’s episode, we welcome Neil Miley, the newly appointed CEO of Mercia Learning Trust, who shares a unique glimpse into his journey through his first 100 days in leadership. With a career rooted in education and a dedication to supporting staff and students alike, Neil reflects on the challenges and successes he’s encountered as he transitions into his role. We delve into Neil’s observations on building trust and cohesion among senior leaders and staff, his approach to understanding Sheffield’s educational landscape, and the adjustments he’s making to foster a supportive, innovative culture at Mercia. Neil shares his experiences and insights from transitioning from Dixons Academies Trust to Mercia, comparing the distinctive cultures and strategies of each, including ground breaking initiatives like the 9-day working fortnight at Dixons. We explore whether similar flexible working policies could be on the horizon at Mercia and the importance of adapting leadership practices to fit community needs and local contexts. In our conversation, Neil also reveals the impact of documenting his first 100 days - highlighting his reflections on establishing a leadership style, creating open communication channels, and developing a vision for sustainable, internally-driven growth at Mercia. Moving away from Ofsted-driven decisions, Neil shares his vision for fostering an educational environment that prioritises the growth and development of students and staff alike, beyond external frameworks and metrics. Whether you're an educational leader, aspiring CEO, or someone passionate about trust leadership, this episode offers an honest look into what it takes to lead with vision, balance, and community awareness. For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters. To find out more about Neil Miley, visit his LinkedIn profile. All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.