At the same time, it remains one of the most important and rewarding roles in education, shaping organisations, communities and opportunities for children and young people at scale.
ASCL is therefore convening a small CEO Network Pilot Series during summer 2026 to create protected executive space for reflection, strategic conversation and shared learning with peers.
The pilot is intentionally designed to be:
- peer-led rather than speaker-led
- discussion-rich rather than content-heavy
- strategically focused rather than operationally driven
Alongside deeper leadership reflection, the network will also provide opportunities for CEOs to pool expertise, test thinking and share experience around the practical and operational realities of the role.
The shared theme across all three pilots is sustainable school leadership, exploring how CEOs sustain themselves, their organisations and their leadership in increasingly complex and demanding contexts.
We are delighted that Ed Vainker, Co-founder and Executive Principal of Reach Foundation, will join part of the discussion. Ed’s work across education, social mobility and place-based community leadership provides an important lens on the civic contribution and responsibilities of trusts within an evolving policy landscape.
The event on the 24 June will run from 10am–7pm (including evening meal)
Alternative dates and locations:
West Midlands Pilot: Overnight stay
25–26 June 2026 | Ashorne Hill Hotel, Leamington Spa
Leeds Pilot: Overnight stay
8–9 July 2026 | Marriott Leeds Hotel, Leeds
The pilot series is also intended as a test-and-learn opportunity to help inform the future design, frequency and cost model of a fully launched ASCL CEO Network from September 2026. Participants will therefore play an important role in helping shape the future direction of this work.
If you are unable to attend one of the pilots and are keen to understand and support future developments, please register your interest to keep in touch.