Trust Matters Lessons in Leadership

How to elevate early years education within your trust - Developing Ark Start, recruiting staff & balancing affordability

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Oliver, managing director at Ark Start, as she shares insights into Ark’s mission to transform early years education. With a deep commitment to making high-quality early education accessible for all, Katie brings her expertise to discuss Ark Start’s unique approach to supporting young learners and their families.
Ark Start is at the core of Ark’s 10-year strategy, focusing on creating early education programs that go beyond traditional childcare. Katie explains what makes Ark Start unique: from its emphasis on affordability and high standards to its year-round, community-focused operations. She shares how Ark Start nurtures each child’s development with a robust early learning model, ensuring that education, rather than just care, is at the heart of each nursery. Katie also highlights Ark Start’s emphasis on early intervention, as qualified staff are equipped to identify additional needs, providing crucial support from a young age.
We dive into Ark Start’s growth, with nurseries operating both inside and outside of Ark schools, and Katie talks about the opportunities and challenges of expanding Ark Start’s community reach. She shares the importance of balancing Ark Start’s unique identity while drawing on Ark’s broader values and resources, and what it means to create a supportive and consistent experience across all settings.
Katie also addresses current challenges in the early years sector, including the recruitment crisis and the need for more qualified EYFS professionals. She discusses Ark’s strategies to recruit and retain talent, and how the DfE’s recent push for more early years staff might support the sector’s growth. For other education leaders, Katie offers practical advice on building a sustainable, impactful early years model that prioritises both accessibility and excellence. Join us for this conversation as Katie unpacks Ark Start’s journey, vision, and what lies ahead in the mission to provide every child with the best possible start.
For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry 
Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.
To find out more about Katie Oliver, visit her LinkedIn profile.
All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

Why the current school system isn’t fit for purpose (PART 2) - Working together, creating system change & recruiting new teachers

In part 2 of our conversation with Stephen Steinhaus, CEO of Solihull Alternative Provision Multi-Academy Trust, we delve deeper into the challenges and changes shaping alternative provision and mainstream education today. If you missed part 1, we recommend catching up for context on Stephen’s unique journey and his experience in founding the MAT.
In this episode, Stephen sheds light on the troubling rise in permanent exclusions across schools, examining the factors driving these numbers and the need for a more supportive, integrated approach. We discuss how mainstream and alternative settings can build stronger partnerships to support students facing challenges in traditional school environments, offering practical strategies for collaboration that can benefit students, staff, and families alike. Stephen emphasises the importance of an adaptable, student-centred approach that meets young people where they are- rather than expecting them to conform to a one-size-fits-all model.
We also tackle the current recruitment crisis in education, a challenge impacting both mainstream and alternative provisions nationwide. Stephen shares his thoughts on why the teaching profession is struggling to attract and retain talent and what he thinks needs to change to encourage more young people into the profession.
For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry 
Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.
To find out more about Stephen Steinhaus, visit his LinkedIn profile.
All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

Why the current school system isn’t fit for purpose (PART 1) - Building an alternative provision trust, supporting vulnerable pupils & changing outcomes

In the first part of this 2-part episode, we speak with Stephen Steinhaus, CEO of Solihull Alternative Provision Multi-Academy Trust, to dive into his remarkable journey and the groundbreaking work his trust is doing for its students. Stephen shares how his unique background, from an American footballer living in Chicago to an educator living in the UK, has shaped his approach to education leadership, bringing creativity and resilience into a system that urgently needs a new way of thinking.
We discuss the challenging circumstances that lead students to join the MAT, many of whom have faced significant struggles in both mainstream education and their personal lives. Stephen opens up about the trust’s unique approach to alternative provision, combining academic rigour with pastoral care and therapeutic support to create a “game changer” for students who don’t fit the mould of traditional schooling.
In this episode, Stephen also sheds light on the shocking statistics around outcomes for alternative provision students. He explains how the trust is working tirelessly to change these realities by giving students the support and skills they need to thrive. We also explore the alarming rise in permanent exclusions across England, and Stephen shares his perspective on why the education system is struggling to meet the needs of vulnerable students, especially in the face of budget cuts and overstretched resources.
For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry 
Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.
To find out more about Stephen Steinhaus, visit his LinkedIn profile.
All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

How to transform a MAT in only 14 months - Vulnerable leadership, building networks & improving outcomes

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Anita Notta, CEO of The Khalsa Academies Trust, who shares her inspiring leadership journey and the strategies she used to transform a struggling trust into a success story. Anita took on the role of CEO at a time when the trust was under a ‘notice to improve’ from the Department for Education (DfE), with serious concerns about its performance. In just over 14 months, Anita and her team closed off the notice, turning around the trust’s trajectory. In our conversation, she opens up about the challenges she faced, the rapid changes she implemented, and the leadership qualities that helped her overcome them.
Anita highlights the importance of building networks as a CEO and trust leader, particularly when facing external challenges. With no formal handover when she first stepped into the role, Anita had to quickly establish relationships with key stakeholders, including the DfE, local authorities, and other external partners. She shares practical advice on how to build developmental relationships with external organisations and why these networks are critical to long-term success. We also explore how professional relationships and effective communication with stakeholders helped strengthen the trust’s position and improve outcomes for the students and staff involved.
A key theme in our discussion is Anita’s approach to leadership, specifically what it means to be a "vulnerable leader." Anita believes that embracing vulnerability and authenticity as a leader has been essential to her success, especially in times of crisis. She shares her thoughts on why being open and transparent with her team and stakeholders has helped build trust and resilience within the organisation. Anita also talks about the importance of mindset, explaining how cultivating a strong, positive outlook enabled her to navigate difficult community challenges and internal organisational shifts.
Whether you’re looking to turn around an underperforming school or seeking advice on building effective professional networks, this episode is packed with insights from a leader who’s been through it all. 
For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry.
Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.
To find out more about Anita Notta, visit her LinkedIn profile.
All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

How to improve SEND provision and inclusion in your trust - Supporting SENCOs, addressing inequalities & being an ally

In this episode, we sit down with Frances Akinde, an author, SEND expert, and co-founder of the BAMEd SEND hub, to explore the most pressing issues facing SEND provision in schools today. Frances shares her personal journey from classroom teacher to headteacher of a special school, reflecting on the challenges she faced and how they shaped her work as a leader in SEND.
Throughout our conversation, we address the impact of ongoing funding cuts on the quality of SEND support across UK schools. Frances offers her insights on how these financial constraints are affecting both students and staff, particularly SENCOs, who often bear the brunt of resource limitations. We discuss the long-term effects that these funding challenges may have on inclusive education, and how school and trust leaders can mitigate these impacts.
Frances also shares her thoughts on how trusts can better support SENCOs, ensuring they receive adequate training, resources, and mentorship. She emphasises the importance of consistent and equitable SEND provision across schools and explores strategies to ensure that even under financial pressure, schools can continue to deliver high-quality support to their most vulnerable students.
In addition to SEND, Frances speaks passionately about the need for anti-racism in education. She explains the importance of viewing school data through an equitable lens and offers practical steps that trust leaders can take to ensure data-driven decisions promote fairness for all students. We also touch on her upcoming book, Be an Ally, Not a Bystander, which focuses on teaching children about discrimination and promoting allyship. Frances provides actionable advice for trust and school leaders on how to embed these lessons into a school's ethos, ensuring that anti-racism is not just a policy, but a lived value across the school community.
Finally, we look ahead at the future of SEND and inclusive education. Frances shares her vision and ideas for a more equitable education system and the role school leaders must play in driving these changes, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or needs, has the opportunity to thrive.
For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry.
Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.
To find out more about Frances Akinde, visit her LinkedIn profile.
All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

How to improve pupil behaviour and educational outcomes in your trust - Driving standards, social mobility & enhancing parental engagement

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Jeffery Quaye OBE, national director of education, standards, and quality at Aspirations Academy Trust. Dr Quaye brings a wealth of experience from his decades-long career in education, which began as a classroom teacher and has taken him to a national leadership role. He talks candidly about the challenges and opportunities he encountered along the way, and how his commitment to being a lifelong learner has shaped his approach to education.
We delve into some of the most pressing issues facing schools today, starting with the critical role education plays in breaking down barriers to social mobility. Dr Quaye explains how high expectations and strong leadership can help students from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential, while also discussing the specific strategies schools and trusts can implement to close the attainment gap.
The conversation also focuses on student behaviour and the rise in exclusions in England. With permanent exclusions at a record high, Dr Quaye shares his perspective on why exclusion should not be the default disciplinary measure and how schools can approach challenging behaviour in a more constructive way. He explains the importance of understanding the underlying causes of behaviour issues and emphasises that improving the quality of teaching and learning can have a profound impact on how students engage and behave in the classroom. We explore alternatives to exclusion and how schools can create environments that promote positive behaviour while maintaining high standards.
Parental engagement also emerges as a key theme in our discussion. Dr. Quaye reflects on how schools can better involve parents in their children’s education, particularly when dealing with behavioural issues or supporting students who may be struggling. He highlights practical approaches that schools can take to build stronger partnerships with families, which can be a crucial factor in both academic success and pupil wellbeing.
For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry.
Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.
To find out more about Dr Jeffery, visit his LinkedIn profile.
All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

How to roll out a digital strategy across 62 schools - Building teams, breaking down barriers & being a neurodivergent leader

In this episode, we sit down with Gemma Gwilliam, head of digital learning, education, and innovation at the Portsmouth Education Partnership. Gemma shares insights into her unique role, leading the implementation of a digital strategy across all 62 schools in Portsmouth - a city where every school, whether part of a trust or local authority, is united under the same partnership.
She reveals her creative approach to leveraging technology in and beyond the classroom, explaining how she builds collaboration and gets everyone on board with her vision. Gemma also opens up about a pivotal moment in her career: a challenging lesson observation that almost made her leave education, and how it has shaped her professional journey. She discusses her forward-thinking ideas on using technology to transform lesson observations, and how schools and trusts can better support neurodivergent staff.
Additionally, Gemma shares her perspective on the controversial ban of mobile phones in schools, explaining why she disagrees and how technology can be a powerful tool for supporting neurodivergent students.
For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry.
Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.
To find out more about Gemma, visit her LinkedIn profile.
All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.

What trust leaders can learn from premier league football managers - Managing a team, navigating change & finding your purpose

In this episode, we chat with Phil Denton, former headteacher, leadership coach, and author of The First 100 Days: Lessons In Leadership From The Football Bosses, for an engaging discussion on leadership and the fascinating parallels between education and football management.
Phil shares the story of how his chance meeting with former Tranmere Rovers and Dundee United manager Micky Mellon sparked the idea for his book. What began as a casual conversation between a school headteacher and a football manager soon turned into a collaborative journey of exploration. Together, they met with top football managers, consulted experts, and explored the psychological, sociological, and philosophical principles behind effective leadership.
Phil reflects on his own experience as a new headteacher in Liverpool, comparing the lessons he learned to those shared by some of the Premier League’s top managers, including David Moyes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Pep Guardiola. He emphasises the importance of discovering your personal leadership purpose and offers actionable advice on how to achieve and sustain success.
For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry.
Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.
To find out more about Phil, visit his LinkedIn profile.
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Ellie Potter, Content Marketing and Social Media Lead at The Key
Phil Denton, former headteacher, leadership coach, and author of The First 100 Days: Lessons In Leadership From The Football Bosses.
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All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.
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How AI can transform your trust - Reducing workload, enhancing teaching & influencing leadership

In the first episode of our series, we speak with Chris Goodall, Head of Digital Education at Bourne Education Trust, about his pioneering work in integrating AI across 26 schools.
Chris shares his strategies for getting staff on board with AI, offering practical tips and insights into how he conducts training sessions. He provides real-life examples of how AI is being used within the trust to reduce workloads, enhance teaching and learning, and drive leadership innovation.
Throughout the episode, Chris discusses both the risks and rewards of AI in education, including its impact on the digital divide. He also tackles the big question: Is AI a threat to the teaching profession? And, what might classrooms of the future look like?
In addition to his expertise in digital education, Chris opens up about his personal leadership journey, from lessons learned during his life coach training to his adventurous trek to Mount Everest's base camp.
At The Key, we're also excited to introduce our new AI feature, KeyGPT, which can assist schools and trusts in the ways Chris highlights in the episode. With KeyGPT, you’ll get personalised responses in seconds - whether it’s drafting a letter to parents, crafting questions for a staff meeting, or solving a complex timetable issue.
Try KeyGPT for free by signing up for a trial at key.sc/keygpt-trial.
For more on how The Key can support your trust, visit key.sc/trustsupport or get in touch with our team here: key.sc/trust-enquiry.
Don’t forget to also subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Trust Matters, at key.sc/trustmatters.
To find out more about Chris, visit his LinkedIn profile.
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Ellie Potter, Content Marketing and Social Media Lead at The Key
 
Chris Goodall, Head of Digital Education at Bourne Education Trust
 
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All views expressed in this episode are the guest's own. Any mention of commercial providers, resources or products is on the guest’s recommendation and should not be considered an endorsement by The Key.
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