“It’s like a political movement”: Confederation of School Trusts appears to want to steer SEND reforms towards greater influence by academy chains
Leora Cruddas, of the Confederation of School Trusts (right), with the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson. Image: Alamy.
A look at discussions of how complex SEND changes are to be enacted. Plus: a teacher on the election trail, and little sign of progress on MAT merger.
Education Uncovered is hearing of rumblings of concern about the detail of the government’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms, as central and local government bureaucracies hammer away at how a complex new system is going to work.
But one aspect which perhaps should not surprise close watchers of recent education policy development is that perhaps our sector’s most successful advocacy group, the Confederation of School Trusts (CST), appears to want a greater share of the action for academy chains.
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By Warwick Mansell for EDUCATION UNCOVERED
Published: 23 April 2026
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