The Leaders We’ve Been Waiting For: Schools and Trusts as Civic Anchors with Leora Cruddas, Mind the Gap, Ep.89 (S5,E5)
Nov 25, 2024
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In this discussion, Leora Cruddas, CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts, reflects on her transformative journey from teaching in apartheid-era South Africa to leading educational policy in England. She tackles the pressing challenges of teacher recruitment and retention, while emphasizing trusts' roles as civic anchors that foster community well-being. Leora advocates for educational leaders to balance stability and innovation, arguing that restoring public trust and focusing on the moral purpose of education are crucial for future success.
Leora Cruddas emphasizes the crucial role of academy trusts as civic anchors in fostering community collaboration and educational equity.
The podcast highlights the importance of establishing clear definitions and governance standards for school trusts to enhance educational outcomes and public trust.
Deep dives
Leora's Journey and Educational Foundation
Leora Crudas shares her profound journey into education, beginning in apartheid South Africa, where she attended a segregated school. Despite the limitations of a divided education system, her experiences in a community-funded school in the township of Alexandra were transformative, instilling in her a passion for teaching and the belief in equitable education. This background shaped her understanding of the systemic challenges faced by marginalized communities and informed her values as an educator, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and high-quality education for all children. The foundational lessons she learned during these formative years continue to influence her approach to leadership and advocacy in the educational sector today.
The Growth and Impact of Academy Trusts
Leora discusses the remarkable expansion of academy trusts in England since the introduction of the Academies Act in 2010, highlighting that approximately 60% of children now attend schools within this sector. The academy movement was designed to tackle systemic failures in education, particularly in disadvantaged areas, and has led to significant improvements in school performance and collaboration among educators. A striking statistic revealed that 82% of disadvantaged children are educated in the academy trust sector, showcasing a commitment to uplift underperforming schools. Leora stresses the necessity of sustaining this 'disruptive mentality' to continue fostering educational success, especially in the wake of challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.
Defining Strong Trusts and Responsibilities
In her role with the Confederation of School Trusts, Leora emphasizes the importance of establishing a clear definition of what constitutes a strong trust, which includes fulfilling their core purpose of advancing education for public benefit. She highlights the necessity for good governance and effective use of public funds, acknowledging current weaknesses in these areas that need to be addressed. By codifying the characteristics of successful trusts, the CST aims to enhance the overall effectiveness of the educational landscape and promote accountability. This initiative represents a crucial step towards building trust and integrity within the sector, ensuring that all trusts operate with a focus on high-quality educational standards.
Civic Leadership and Rebuilding Trust
Leora articulates the concept of civic leadership, urging educational leaders to act not only within their organizations but also as anchors in their communities, promoting a broader societal good. Following the pandemic, there has been a noticeable decline in public trust towards educational institutions, necessitating a proactive effort to rebuild these relationships through transparent and respectful engagement with communities. Leora posits that leading with a focus on collaboration and strengthening community ties is essential for restoring faith in the educational system. This approach challenges leaders to shift from a transactional mindset to a more relational, community-centric narrative that emphasizes education as a collective responsibility.
On this episode of Mind the Gap, Jon Hutchinson and Emma Turner are joined by Leora Cruddas, CEO of the Confederation of School Trusts. Leora shares her journey from teaching in apartheid-era South Africa to becoming a leading voice in educational policy and academy trust leadership. Together, they explore the evolution of academy trusts, the importance of stable leadership, and the challenges of teacher recruitment and retention. Leora highlights the role of trusts as civic anchors, emphasizing their capacity to foster collaboration and serve as pillars of community well-being. She says, "The point at which we start making decisions on behalf of our children from the vested interests of adults is the point that our education system will start to fail." Reflecting on her role, Leora underscores the need for educational leaders to balance stability with innovation, as well as the need for trust leaders to tell adopt a narrative around trusts that focuses on the moral purpose of education. The discussion concludes with a compelling vision for the future of education: building systems that prioritize public trust, equity, and human flourishing.
Leora Cruddas is the founding Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts – the national organisation and sector body for school trusts in England. She has advised successive governments and sits on several Department for Education advisory bodies. She was recently the vice chair of the Head Teacher Standards Review Group, a member of the external advisory group for the Schools White Paper, SEND National Implementation Board and the Regulatory and Commissioning Review. Prior to founding CST, she was Director of Policy and Public Relations for the Association of School and College Leaders. Leora has six years of experience as a director of education in two London local authorities. She is a visiting professor at UCL Institute of Education, and was made a CBE in the 2022 New Year’s Honours. Follow her on X @LeoraCruddas.
Emma Turner FCCT is a school improvement advisor, education consultant, trainer and author. She has almost three decades of primary teaching, headship and leadership experience across the sector, working and leading in both MATs and LAs. She works nationally and internationally on school improvement including at single school level and at scale. She has a particular interest in research informed practice in the primary phase, early career development, and CPD design. Follow Emma on X @emma_turner75.
Jon Hutchinson is a former assistant headteacher of Reach Academy Feltham and is now a Director at the Reach Foundation. He has taught across primary and secondary and HE. In his spare time, Jon runs www.meno.acacdemy, a platform with free videos to support primary teachers to build their subject knowledge. Follow Jon on X @jon_hutchinson_ or Bluesky @jonhutchinson.bksy.social.
