The event, held at Co-op headquarters, 1 Angel Square, began with a welcome from Russell Gill, Chair of the Trust Board, who reflected on the Trust’s vision, mission and values, and how these guide its strategic priorities. Attendees then heard from Chris Tomlinson, CEO of Co-op Academies Trust, who presented key themes emerging from the Trust-wide listening exercise, placing strong emphasis on striving for excellence in both academic outcomes and enrichment opportunities for all pupils.

The keynote speech was delivered by Sam Freedman, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, who gave an insightful presentation on the wider strategic landscape facing schools and multi-academy trusts. His address explored how educational institutions can navigate evolving challenges while staying true to their purpose.
After lunch, attendees were able to take part in a range of workshops delivered by senior Trust and Co-op colleagues. 

Sarah Lay, Head of Governance, said: “It was a pleasure to see so many of our Trustees, Community Council Members and Resolutions Team Members in Manchester for our annual conference.

“The theme of the conference was ‘Striving for Excellence’ and focussed on the development of the Trust's new strategic plan. 

“Delegates were able to attend a range of workshops exploring essential strands of our Trust's identity: the content of our trust dividend, the relationship with our Co-op sponsor, how we ensure we are inclusive, and what 'excellence' means to us over the coming five years.
“A huge 'thank you' to all who attended and participated and for continuing to support local governance in driving school improvement.”

The conference also provided an important opportunity to celebrate and strengthen the vital role of Community Council Members (CCMs). Each academy within the Trust is supported by an Academy Community Council (ACC) made up of dedicated volunteers including parents, staff, community members and representatives from Co-op. These individuals work closely with school leaders to support improvement, monitor the experiences of vulnerable pupils and act as ambassadors within their local communities.