Trust Diagnostic

Why us?

Gain detailed insight

Our trust diagnostic tool turns data gathered from people working at all levels of your trust into real insight. This allows you to zone in on your trust’s strengths and weaknesses and identify areas for improvement.

Learn from experts

Gain a greater understanding of the system, with exclusive insight from a trained team of 20 highly effective trust CEOs and Chairs, led by Sir David Carter.

In-depth analysis

The review provides high quality reports including analysis of the diagnosis phase including a personalised Discovery Report based on the series of conversations, helping you to work with your trustees and external stakeholders to support change and improve performance. Owned by you and your trust, these reports are targeted and action-focused.

Collaborate with colleagues

Grow your relationships across your trust. This is a unique opportunity for you to develop a clear and strategic action plan with direct input from your senior executive team through to your pupils and parents. You’ll get a 360 review – vital support to help you transform your multi-academy trust into a successful and cohesive organisation that delivers better and better standards for children.

Build trust-to-trust working

Working with our review teams enables you to learn from expert leaders with sector experience, who are uniquely placed to understand the unique requirements of your region and trust.

For	Current Trust CEOs or Chairs
Course Length	9-12 months
Programme Start	Rolling
Cost	£8,000

Curriculum

The Trust Diagnostic is split into three phases. Phase one and two initially take place over three months with phase three following approximately six months later.

Diagnosis

Using insights and learning from trusts across our network, we will work with you to review the overall capacity and sustainability of your trust. Using Ambition’s diagnostic tool, we will gather data from your trust on everything from vision and values to communication, being a great employer, governance and board strategy. Our system leader experts will then help you identify trends and areas for further investigation.

Investigation

The discovery phase starts with a series of online, intensive conversations, focusing on three agreed objectives taken from our analysis of the diagnostic survey, plus a fourth line of enquiry - risk and resilience. This involves virtual interviews and focus groups with people involved at all levels – from the Chair of your board to support staff in your schools. You will receive an in-depth Discovery Report with recommendations to help you shape the strategic direction of your trust. Following our second phase conversations, we will support you through the implementation of changes, including access to the expertise of the review team and the support of Ambition Institute.

Evaluation

At the end of the review period we will repeat the diagnostic survey to evaluate the impact of the change process and what new areas might be a priority. Together, we will look at what has already been improved and any further recommendations to build capacity within and beyond your trust.

The programme is delivered by a range of experts from the sector. These include CEOs of trusts that been through complex change, meaning they can provide invaluable insights to help your trust improve.

The programme is supportive and non-judgemental. By joining the Trust Diagnostic, you will gain real insight to help your trust move forward for the benefit of the pupils you serve, and make a positive contribution to the whole trust sector.

Note: Each review is built around the needs of the individual trust and, as a result, programme content is subject to change.

Team

Sir David leads our Trust Diagnostic team. He was the Regional Schools Commissioner for the South West, National Schools Commissioner, a former music teacher, and CEO of the Cabot Learning Federation. Sir David was amongst the first National Leaders of Education and opened the first teaching school. He received a knighthood for services to education in 2013.

Sir David Carter
Executive Director of System Leadership, * Review team will be confirmed during initial phase of diagnostic.

Richard is the Chair of the National Teaching School Council and CEO of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership. Richard has over 20 years experiences working in schools as a teacher, headteacher and senior leader, alongside sitting on numerous Department for Education advisory boards and committees.

Richard Gill
* Review team will be confirmed during initial phase of diagnostic.

Dave is the CEO of The Olympus Academy Trust, a multi-academy trust of 9 primary, secondary and all-through schools in South Gloucestershire, with responsibility for over 6500 students. As well as being passionate about collaborative approaches to teaching, learning and leadership, Dave contributes to a number of regional and national initiatives, including co-ordinating a Trust leaders’ network across the South West.

Dave Baker
* Review team will be confirmed during initial phase of diagnostic.

Catherine is the CEO of Summit Learning Trust, an 8-school MAT in the midlands. Catherine has experience of MAT reviews including restructuring and team building resulting in positive outcomes for improvement of schools and central functions. Catherine has also served as a Senior Her Majesty’s Inspector for Ofsted.

Catherine Anwar
* Review team will be confirmed during initial phase of diagnostic.

Rowena is the CEO of Astrea Academy Trust, a 27-school MAT covering Yorkshire and the East of England. Rowena is passionate about building capacity across the sector, with experience of embedding improvement as well as being an active member of a range of many advisor groups including with the DfE.

Rowena Hackwood
* Review team will be confirmed during initial phase of diagnostic.

Carol is the Chief Executive Officer of Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust. Since April 2014, she has overseen the trust grow from a three school MAT to Trust of 17 schools, educating more than 8,500 pupils and with a budget of over £54 million by the end of 2018. During her time at BDAT, Carol has also supported the set-up of a new Diocesan MAT in the Richmond area of North Yorkshire and acted as a Trustee on the LEAF Academy Trust board. Carol’s work for BDAT also enables her to support a number of regional and national initiatives, including sitting on the National Church of England MAT CEO Steering Group and participating in the DfE West Yorkshire Strategic Partnership on collaborative working across education in the region. In 2020, Carol was awarded an OBE for her services to Education in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

Carol Dewhurst
* Review team will be confirmed during initial phase of diagnostic.

Cost

The Trust Diagnostic costs £8,000.

If your Trust has less than 4000 pupils, the cost is £6,000.

Contact us to find out more.

Enquire

This diagnostic review is open to CEOs or Chairs of Trustees of multi-academy trusts or similar school group organisations.

Please fill out this quick enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss how to apply.

For	Current Trust CEOs or Chairs
Course Length	9-12 months
Programme Start	Rolling
Cost	£8,000