Trust: The CST Podcast, Produced by PLMR

The Confederation of School Trusts

Trust: the CST podcast, produced by PLMR, is the new education podcast for anyone with an interest in school and education policy and practice in England. The Confederation of School Trusts (CST), the sector body whose members educate more than three million pupils, will bring listeners expert insights, ideas and innovations from a variety of voices across the school trust sector and beyond. We will be tackling the issues of the moment and looking forward, thinking about what we can do to build an even better education system for children and young people. For more: cstuk.org.uk or plmr.co.uk

  1. 12/12/2025

    The Governance of AI

    In this episode, we go beyond AI's potential and what platforms to use to instead examine the governance of AI. This episode is a must-listen whether your schools and trust are yet to explore how to use it, or if you already have AI integrated into your digital strategy or if you're somewhere in between. Join PLMR's Head of Education Tiffany Beck OBE, CST's Director of Trust Governance Samira Sadeghi, Browne Jacobson's Legal Director Claire Archibald and Lauren Thorpe, Director of Transformation at United Learning and Chair of CST's Data and Transformation Professional Community. They explore a framework for the governance of AI, ensuring risk is mitigated whilst innovation is encouraged.

  2. 11/13/2025

    CST Annual Conference 2025: Flourishing

    This year's CST Annual Conference in Birmingham focused on the theme of 'Flourishing'. Hear from a range of leaders about what flourishing means to them.

  3. 10/02/2025

    Next-Gen Governance

    Governance isn’t a box-ticking exercise — it’s human, strategic and deeply moral. In this episode, Tiffany Beck OBE (PLMR) is joined by Samira Sadeghi, Director of Trust Governance at the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), and Andy Wolfe, Executive Director of Education for the Church of England, to unpack Next-Gen Governance: what it is, why it’s needed and how boards can become true stewards of long-term success.

  4. 06/10/2025

    Flourishing Teachers, Flourishing Children: Unlocking the Power of Professional Development

    In this episode, Tiffany Beck OBE, Head of Education at PLMR, is joined by Leora Cruddas CBE, Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, and Hilary Spencer, Chief Executive of Ambition Institute. Together, they explore the vital role of evidence-led, high-quality professional development in building resilient, purpose-driven school trusts. From motivating teachers and fostering inclusivity, to addressing sector challenges like recruitment, retention, and rising SEND needs, this episode offers rich insights into the strategic potential of professional development. Hilary and Leora share powerful examples and practical reflections on how professional learning not only shapes teacher expertise, but is also foundational to sustainable system leadership. At its core, this conversation affirms a central truth: there can be no flourishing children without flourishing teachers.

  5. 05/02/2025

    The Anxious Generation: Jonathan Haidt on the impact of social media on children

    In this special episode of Trust: The CST Podcast, produced by PLMR, renowned social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt joins an audience of English school trust leaders to delve into the themes of his latest book, The Anxious Generation. He explores the profound impact of smartphones and social media on children's mental health, development and education. Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed, the conversation also features insights from Leora Cruddas CBE, Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts. This timely conversation couldn't be more relevant in today's society.

  6. 04/02/2025

    New Domains of Educational Leadership: Inside the new book from Leora Cruddas CBE

    In this episode of Trust: The CST Podcast, produced by PLMR, PLMR's Head of Education Tiffany Beck OBE is joined by CST’s Chief Executive Leora Cruddas CBE, to explore the thinking behind her first book, New Domains of Educational Leadership.   Leora shares why now is the right moment to capture emerging learning from across the school trust sector and how the book brings together three vital leadership domains: trust leadership, civic leadership and system leadership. Together, Leora and Tiff unpack foundational themes running through the book including the distinction between social justice and social mobility, the power of relational trust and the central importance of human flourishing. This conversation is about what educational leadership can be — and it's a call to ensure education is a force that lifts up all.

  7. 02/07/2025

    The conceptual model of trust-led school improvement

    In this episode, PLMR's Head of Education Tiffany Beck OBE and CST's Deputy Chief Executive Steve Rollett are joined by Naveed Khan, Director of Education at Westcountry Schools Trust and Chris Gould, Director of Education and Deputy CEO at Truro and Penwith Academy Trust. The group delves into CST's conceptual model of trust-led school improvement and sheds light on what it's all about, what it looks like in practice and what's coming next from CST in this space.

  8. 11/18/2024

    Building: The CST Annual Conference 2024

    Join PLMR's Head of Education Tiffany Beck OBE as she explores this year's CST Annual Conference theme of 'Building', on the ground in Birmingham. In this episode, Tiff speaks to Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah and his PE teacher; His Majesty's Chief Inspector for Ofsted Sir Martyn Oliver; Lord Adebowale, Chair of the NHS Confederation; John Edwards, Director General for the Regions Group at the Department for Education; Dr Gordon Carver, UK Managing Director of Etio; and Leora Cruddas CBE, chief executive of CST. This episode also shares highlights from the Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson's speech. Listen to find out more about building trusts as public institutions in order to build communities, the school system and a more just and peaceful society.

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About

Trust: the CST podcast, produced by PLMR, is the new education podcast for anyone with an interest in school and education policy and practice in England. The Confederation of School Trusts (CST), the sector body whose members educate more than three million pupils, will bring listeners expert insights, ideas and innovations from a variety of voices across the school trust sector and beyond. We will be tackling the issues of the moment and looking forward, thinking about what we can do to build an even better education system for children and young people. For more: cstuk.org.uk or plmr.co.uk

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