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 Professor Toby Greany will join part of day two’s discussion. Toby is one of the lead researchers behind the Sustainable School Leadership research. Discussion will explore some of the emerging findings around leadership sustainability, executive judgement, system pressures and the conditions that help leaders and organisations thrive over time.
This event will start on 25 June, 3.30pm and includes an overnight stay. It will end on 26 June, 2.30pm.
Alternative dates and locations:
London Pilot: Full day/evening meal
24 June 2026 | Ed City
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.