Lightning conversation
01 Oct 2026
Main Room
Strategy & Leadership
Fast-paced, peer-led conversations focused on the challenges trust leaders are facing right now. Ahead of the event, delegates will submit the issues they most want to discuss, which will be used to create a series of focused table topics. Choose the challenge most relevant to your trust and join peers to explore what others are experiencing, approaches being tested and lessons already learnt. Each table will focus on identifying practical ideas, useful questions and actions leaders can take back to their trusts.
- How do we balance financial sustainability with rising expectations?
- How do we plan for palling rolls and a shrinking school system?
- How do we make mainstream inclusion sustainable as SEND needs rise?
- How do we do more without asking more of our people?
- What should actually be standardised across a trust?
- How do we build a reliable trust-wide picture from data?
- How do we lead when policies keep changing?
- What should trusts collaborate on?
- Where should trusts prioritise investment in digital and AI?