Publishing three major policy documents in quick succession - the Schools White Paper today, to be followed shortly by the special educational needs and disability (SEND) review and Josh MacAlister’s Independent Review of Children’s Social Care - underlines the government’s ambition in the education policy reform space.

These are critically important areas.   

The ambition that all schools should be in a strong trust is the key policy proposal in the White Paper.

Since the inception of the Confederation of School Trusts, we have repeatedly made the case for the power of a group of schools working together in deep and purposeful collaboration in a single governance structure.

We also particularly welcome the recognition that strong trusts will be solely accountable for school improvement. Teachers and leaders working together in a trust structure form communities of excellent practice - something we have made the case for in our work on Communities of Improvement.

Academy trusts can boost teacher CPD

I also strongly support the focus on evidence-informed professional development. It is clear that the quality of teaching is the single most important in-school factor in improving outcomes for pupils.

There is no improvement for pupils without improvement in teaching, and no improvement in teaching without the best professional development for teachers. School trusts have the capacity and can create the culture and conditions where professional development can be most effective.

But what the government has really done with this White Paper, by setting out its ambition that all schools should be part of a strong trust, is create the opportunity for the English education system to take the next big step.

It is now for all of us in the sector to grasp the nettle and complete the reforms that began more than a decade ago.

Trust leaders, school leaders and teachers are the best people to achieve this. They have a deep knowledge and understanding of the substance of education and how best to improve schools.

Placing trust in them, as the White Paper does by aiming for a coherent and joined-up infrastructure in which every school is part of a strong and sustainable trust, is how we can become the best system at getting better.

Concerns about requests to leave a trust

That does not mean that we support every element of the White Paper. I am deeply concerned about the proposal for a school to be able to ask the government if it wishes to leave a trust.

This proposal fails to understand that the trust is the legal entity - it is not an “authority” that is somehow separate from its schools.

However, Whitehall has today set out how it will allow for the right schools system to be built. That is its role.

Our job is then to create the best schools within that system to ensure that all children and young people receive a world-class education.

It’s over to us.

Leora Cruddas is chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts