The conference opened with a session led by Trust CEO David O’Toole, exploring the importance of a strong Trust identity. Delegates then took part in group discussions on the future of governance, contributing thoughtful ideas and insight.

A highlight of the morning was our guest speaker, Dr Eleanor Tomlinson from The EP Space, whose engaging session on emotional coaching provided practical strategies for supporting children’s behaviour and wellbeing.

Reflections of the day

Reflecting on the day, David O’Toole said: “We are delighted with the resounding success of the governance conference. The enthusiastic engagement of our Governors and Trustees truly demonstrated their deep commitment to supporting our schools and the wider Trust. The day was filled with insightful activities and valuable networking opportunities, allowing colleagues to share best practice and strengthen collaboration across our community. It was especially important that our governance teams heard firsthand why our Belonging Framework — and the role of emotional coaching — is vital to understanding our children and supporting each and every one to be successful.”

Chair of Trustees Gary Taylor added: “This year’s conference was a great success. We began with four key questions about the future of governance within our Trust, and the feedback we received was excellent and will guide our next steps. Dr Eleanor Tomlinson delivered a thought‑provoking session on emotional coaching, and there was a real buzz in the room from start to finish.”

The final session, Just Ask!, provided an opportunity for informal discussion and updates on key elements of our Trust Strategy. The morning concluded with relaxed networking, highlighting the strength and generosity of our governance community.