Published: January 2026
Read the latest Winter 2026 edition of Trust Leadership Today, with vital news, views and features for those leading and managing UK academy trusts.
Welcome to the latest Winter 2026 edition of Trust Leadership Today magazine, bursting with articles for all those leading and working in academy trusts in the UK.
Highlights inside include:
- Claire Heald unpacks the key recommendations of the Curriculum and Assessment Review and what they mean in practice.
- Penny Alford responds to the Government’s announcement on V Levels, exploring how these new vocational qualifications can be set up to succeed.
- Steve Rollett argues that the education sector must be at the heart of shaping the Government’s evolving MAT group inspection policy if it is to genuinely strengthen the system.
- Drawing on the Covid-19 Inquiry, James Reece, a student during the pandemic, reflects on his experiences and discusses what that period means now with education leader Leora Cruddas CBE.
- Dr Helen Wright shares powerful insights from observing school leaders during the pandemic and challenges colleagues to apply the lessons learnt.
- Tracy House makes the case for strong MIS as the backbone of an effective multi-site MAT, outlining what should drive the choice and rollout of a new system.
- Louise Brenlund examines upcoming changes to unfair dismissal law and warns MATs and schools to prepare for their significant impact on employment practices.
- Hayley Mintern explores why strong HR leadership is critical to shaping people strategies that drive trust success, and identifies the skills leaders need.
- Zoe MacDougall speaks with Paul Banks about the evolving role of MATs and the opportunities highlighted by the Curriculum and Assessment Review.
- James Nicholson shares how GLF Schools has built diverse income streams – and how this funding is transforming outcomes for disadvantaged children.
- Emma Slater explores how MATs can take decisive action to stem the loss of teachers from the profession.
- Martha Ware reflects on Chesham Grammar School’s ten-year journey of growth and development.