Flourishing Trusts Network
The National Society for Education’s Flourishing Trusts Network offers a collaborative space to listen, engage and discuss insights, to be challenged and supported with peers and other experts sharing educational, business and Christian perspectives.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to cultivate a confidential, inclusive, and supportive network where Trust leaders can sustain and strengthen their leadership, nurture future leaders, and flourish together. Rooted in the Church of England’s Vision for Education – wisdom, hope, community, and dignity – we empower leaders to face the future with confidence by fostering clarity, connection, and mutual advocacy, growing a flourishing leadership movement.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
Who is it for?
Whether your Trust is CofE, Catholic, mixed, has another/no faith affiliation—the network is for you! We’re all gathered around the unifying concept of flourishing to collectively seek and lead the change we know is needed within the sector.
When you join the Flourishing Trusts Network, your whole executive team can benefit. Our in-person and online events are open to CEOs and Executive Leaders (CFOs, COOs, Directors of Education, CPD Leads).
Five reasons to join
1 - A Trusted and Supportive Space for Courageous Leadership
Leaders are welcomed into a confidential and inclusive environment where they can reflect, recharge, and grow with dignity. Here, leaders can test ideas, share burdens and vulnerabilities, and find renewed strength for courageous leadership that transforms lives.
2 - Flourishing Together, Not Alone
This is more than a professional network - it’s a movement of flourishing leadership. Leaders are invited to grow in community with others who are committed to leading with hope, courage, and faith, centred around 10 seeds in ‘Flourishing Together Paper’.
3 - Advocacy and Influence
The network creates spaces to amplify the voices of trust leaders, through our collective voice briefings, policy updates, events and consultations. It is a place where shared wisdom helps navigate complex challenges with clarity and confidence- where iron sharpens iron.
4 - A Commitment to Future Leadership
The network supports sustainable leadership by nurturing future leaders. It’s a space to invest in others while being invested in —with flexibility across trust teams to engage in aspects of the network relevant to them. With a hope-filled and a forward-looking perspective, the network encourages leaders to envision and shape a positive future for the young people they serve.
5 - Strategic Insight, Wisdom, and Professional Development
Members gain access to expert-led briefings, national conferences, and peer learning opportunities that challenge and inspire- deepening strategic thinking and keeping leaders ahead of sector developments. The network fosters wisdom in leadership—encouraging thoughtful, evidence-informed, and values driven decision-making.
What does membership include?
Membership offers the opportunity for leaders to reflect on current shared challenges and benefit from one another’s experience. We focus on a range of trust-specific topics all of which benefit from the collective wisdom of colleagues and experts through:
3 in-person national gatherings including a 2-day residential to be inspired and challenged through a range of innovative speakers from both within and external to education (overnight stay and day 2 at a modest additional cost). 1 ticket per event included.
5 collective/expert voice online briefings with senior staff from The National Society for EducatiFor on and external speakers, giving key policy updates and shaping our collective voice and influence within the sector. (All executive team welcome)
For those with Secondary Leaders – membership to our National Secondary Leaders Network (NSLN) including 2 tickets to each NSLN in-person event x3 (6 tickets in total).
An opportunity for an optional annual Strategic Partnership Conversation to explore how we can collaborate with you to realise your vision at both a Trust and personal leadership level.
One place at our FlourishED London conference (or another regional conference of your choice)
How much does membership cost for 2025-2026 academic year?
Annual Subscription for Trusts: £1,500
Do you have under 1200 pupils? Small trust subscription- £800
Are you a primary only trust? Primary only subscription- £1,300
Additional Trust Leaders can attend in-person events subject to availability. Additional tickets cost £120 per person per event. Additional Trust Leaders in your team can attend collective voice briefings – FREE
Day 1 of our annual residential conference is included in your membership. If you’d like to join us for day 2 including dinner and overnight stay at the Park Regis in Birmingham, there is a modest additional fee of £195.
Programme of events for 2025-2026
EVENT 1: Thursday 6 November 2025, 9:30–15:30, Gas Street Church, Birmingham
Is belonging enough? What can Trust leaders do to create places where people truly matter? Building inclusive cultures where everyone can flourish.
EVENT 2: FlourishED, London: National Conference, Thursday 22 January 2026, 9:30–15:30, St John at Hackney, London
Join us for our National Conference, hosted at Saint in Hackney – the birthplace of the National Society for Education. As ever, this conference will be full of inspirational keynote speakers, interactive workshops, student leaders, live music – choirs and bands, prayer, worship and an opportunity to invest in your own flourishing as a leader.
EVENT 3: Flourishing Trusts Network 2-Day Residential, Thursday 19 March, 9:30 – Friday 20 March 2026, 15:30, Park Regis, Birmingham
‘Fully Human’ – A team development residential for School Trusts and Dioceses focused on the dynamic relationship between AI and Flourishing.
EVENT 4: Tuesday 23 June 2026, 9:30–15:30, London (exact venue TBC)
What kind of life can I expect if I come to work for you? An event exploring the importance and art of attracting, securing and retaining great staff.
COLLECTIVE VOICE Briefings (All via Teams, 8:30–9:30)
Tuesday 23 September, 2025
Tuesday 25 November, 2025
Tuesday 3 February, 2026
Tuesday 19 May, 2026
Tuesday 7 July, 2026
Get in touch
For further information and questions, please contact Graeme Robins, National MAT Partnerships Lead.