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.
Professor Toby Greany will also take part in part of the discussions on day two in Leeds. Toby is a leading researcher on Sustainable School Leadership. The session will focus on emerging insights into leadership sustainability, executive decision-making, system pressures, and the conditions that enable leaders and organisations to thrive over time.
This event will start on 08 July, 3.30pm and includes an overnight stay. It will end on 09 July, 2.30pm.
Alternative dates and locations:
London Pilot: Full day/evening meal
24 June 2026 | Ed City
West Midlands Pilot: Overnight stay
25–26 June 2026 | Ashorne Hill Hotel, Leamington Spa
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.