It’s time the sector took greater ownership of accountability. Shaping and building ownership of it as an enabler for improvement and innovation, not simply as a judgment against a ‘one size fits all’ standard.

That was a key message from June’s hugely successful National #TrustLeaders Symposium: Symposium 2026 | Forum Strategy

And it’s probably one of the most important dialogues in the trust sector right now.

Accountability at its best involves engaging others, informing ongoing improvement and innovation, and creating the necessary responsibility that underpins shared endeavour across schools and communities.

It is clear that trust inspections will form part of the future landscape; but they shouldn’t define or eclipse how trusts generate and harness accountability locally – in pursuit of their vision and strategy.

That’s why we are running a series of strategic and practical roundtables to understand how trusts can harness accountability. What do we want trust accountability to look and feel like, including its role in community-enabling leadership and demonstrating public benefit.

Forum Strategy will host three roundtables in the Autumn term to consider this issue and what successful local, pure accountability looks like in trusts. These will take place:

London – 23rd September 2026
Bristol – 7th October 2026
Leeds – 11th November 2026

The roundtables will consider
– What is the current context for trust accountability; and how are trusts generating shared ownership and endeavour?
– What should trusts hold themselves accountable for, and how should they generate accountability among others?
– What does this pure accountability look like in substance?
– How do trusts ensure pure accountability remains as a healthy balance to top down accountability, especially in a system where regulatory accountability has such influence?

We welcome all named members of Forum Strategy’s National #TrustLeaders Network to join us, including those part of CEO plus Executive Team membership.

Please email admin@forumstrategy.org to book your place by 10th July. Please note these events are exclusive to named members of Forum Strategy’s National #TrustLeaders Network at the time of the event.