Pressures, Priorities and Possibilities
Invitation-only Lunch Briefing for Senior School and Trust Leaders
Hosted by the Schools & Academies Show and Commercial Services Group
Thursday 2nd July 2026 | 12:00pm onwards
Attlee Room, House of Lords, Central London
This briefing is by reservation only and is limited to 35 attendees
Commercial Services Group is convening senior education leaders for a private, invitation‑only lunch and discussion at the House of Lords.
The event brings together Multi‑Academy Trust CEOs, CFOs and COOs, alongside headteachers and school business leaders, to explore what new national research — conducted in response to the Schools White Paper — reveals about the real‑world pressures facing schools and trusts, and what this means for delivery at system and organisational level.
While the research is grounded in the expectations and direction set out in the Schools White Paper, the discussion itself is focused on the practical implications: SEND provision, funding constraints, workforce sustainability, inclusion and parental confidence — and how leaders are navigating these challenges in practice.
Why attend?
The Schools White Paper set out a clear direction of travel for the system. Since then, schools and trusts have been operating against a backdrop of rising demand, constrained resources and sustained workforce pressure.
This lunch brings together evidence, operational insight and system‑level leadership to create space for honest discussion about what is realistically deliverable and what helps organisations build capacity without increasing risk.
The session will explore:
What the latest research says about system pressure since the publication of the Schools White Paper
How SEND reform ambitions translate into operational reality
The extent to which trusts and collaboration are helping — and where limits remain
How leaders are balancing inclusion, outcomes, workforce wellbeing and financial sustainability
What parent confidence and complaints reveal about stress points in the system
Arrival & Security
Arrival time: Please arrive by 12:00pm for a pre-event briefing.
Security: Entry to the House of Lords can be delayed by queues. Please allow extra time.
ID requirement: Photo ID (e.g. passport or driving licence) is required.
Agenda:
12.00 – 12.15 | Arrival and Refreshments
12.15 – 12.20 | Welcome Commercial Services Group
12.20 – 1.00 | Research Insight and Panel Discussion
Steve Leigh (Sensu Insight) shares headline findings from new national research with school leaders and parents, commissioned in response to the Schools White Paper, followed by a chaired discussion on system pressure, SEND delivery and workforce sustainability.
1.00 – 1.45 | Lunch Served
1.45 – 2.30 | Open Discussion with Senior Leaders
A facilitated conversation with MAT and school leaders, opening questions from the floor.
2.30 – 4.00 | Drinks Reception
Networking in the adjacent room.
Register Here:
Confirmed Speakers:
Steve Leigh, Managing Director, Sensu Insight
Steve leads the research underpinning this event, drawing on the views of 1,000 education leaders, professionals and parents to examine how the system is responding to the ambitions set out in the Schools White Paper under current conditions.
Ruth Gately, Specialist Lead Adviser (SEND and inclusion), The Education People
Ruth works closely with schools and trusts to support SEND and inclusion delivery, offering deep practitioner insight into where policy ambition meets operational constraint.