Edward Vitalis is the CEO of Invictus Trust. Here he shares his reflections on this year’s National #TrustLeaders Symposium 2024
Can you tell us a bit about Invictus Trust and your key priorities as chief executive over the next 12 months?
Invictus Education Trust comprises seven schools—six secondary and one primary— serving communities across Dudley and South Staffordshire, with 780 staff serving 5,700 children. We are proud that all our schools are Ofsted rated ‘good,’ positioning us well to grow the trust further and thrive.
When I joined the trust, we agreed with the Department for Education to self-assess the trust against the Strong Trust criteria to establish our baseline before setting a strategic direction. We conducted a detailed self-assessment, bringing in an independent consultant, a former CEO, to evaluate our findings and ensure our conclusions were sound. This process highlighted the strengths of the trust and identified areas for improvement.
With a clear understanding of our baseline, we began reflecting on our mission, vision, and values. Alongside this reflection, we set new, ambitious commitments. A key priority for us is workforce development, recognising that investing in our staff drives school improvement. In addition, we aim to grow as a trust, and our existing infrastructure positions us well for expansion. Our new strategy, set to launch in September, will be a living document, integral to our daily operations and conversations. It will guide our culture and values, ensuring they are embedded in our agendas throughout the trust.
“Rather than attempting to do everything in isolation, we are reaching out to other trusts for system-wide solutions.”
Another focus is on strategic collaboration. Rather than attempting to do everything in isolation, we are reaching out to other trusts for system-wide solutions. For example, we are leading a Workforce Resilience research project for the DfE, with three other CEO’s collaborating with up to 40 CEOs in the region.
In summary, our strategy for the next 12 months includes embedding our strategic plan, investing in our workforce, pursuing growth, and fostering strategic collaborations. These efforts will ensure that Invictus Education Trust can thrive and deliver excellent education to our students.