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
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. It is a trusted space to share challenges, test ideas, and find renewed strength for courageous leadership.
Flourishing Together, Not Alone
This is more than a professional network. Leaders are invited to grow in community with others committed to leading with hope, courage, and faith, centred around the ten seeds of the Flourishing Together paper.
Advocacy and Influence
The network amplifies the voices of trust leaders through briefings, events, and consultations. Shared wisdom helps leaders navigate complexity with confidence, creating a community where iron sharpens iron.
A Commitment to Future Leadership
The network nurtures future leaders while supporting those leading today. With a hope-filled outlook, members are encouraged to invest in others and help shape a positive future for the young people they serve.
Strategic Insight, Wisdom, and Professional Development
Members gain access to expert briefings, conferences, and peer learning that inform and inspire. These opportunities deepen wisdom, strengthen strategic thinking, and support 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 Education 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) including2 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 2026-2027 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 2026-2027
-
Wisdom at the Core: Inclusion as the Thread of a Flourishing School
Key Question: What must shift in our approach to inclusion so that every pupil grows in wisdom and knowledge?
-
Securing the Future of Trust Leadership
Key Question: Are we building tomorrow's Trust Leaders, or quietly losing the leadership pipeline?
-
9.30-10.30 am
Making It Stick - "What have we changed – and what have we avoided changing?"
-
Dignity at the Centre: God-given Worth and Flourishing
Key Question: How do we enable pupil leaders to shape culture and practice so that dignity, hope and flourishing are woven into school life?
-
Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good - Celebrating 10 years of the Church of England Vision for Education
-
Building a Flourishing Schools System Together
Key Question: What does it take to lead a flourishing schools system through collaboration, partnership and shared purpose for the Class of 2040?
-
9.30-10.30 am
Interpreting the Moment – “Flourishing in a Changing Policy Landscape.”
-
24 June 2027
Anchored in Faith: Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good
Key Question: How do we intentionally develop the language, confidence and practice of faith in leadership?
-
Anchored in Faith: Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good
Key Question: How can schools demonstrate hope through leadership, partnership and service to the common good?
-
9.30-10.30 am
Next Horizon – “Deepening and Scaling the Change.”
Get in touch
For further information and questions, please contact Graeme Robins, National Trusts Partnerships Lead.