Leadership
Last week, I had the privilege of listening to a powerful keynote from Leora Cruddas of CST. Her call to reimagine civic leadership not simply as collaboration between institutions, but as a deeper, more meaningful relationship with people and communities, could not have come at a more important time for those of us working in digital transformation within education.
As Leora pointed out, the challenges we face are too complex for individuals or single organisations to tackle in isolation. In today’s environment, which includes rising inequality, economic pressure and a fast-changing technological landscape, we need leadership that is rooted in purpose and grounded in community. Within education, that means reconsidering how we lead in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and digital systems.
Leadership That Centres People
Digital transformation is still too often seen as a technical project. It is measured in the number of devices, the speed of the internet connection or the efficiency of a helpdesk. But true transformation is about people. It is about how we live our values through the systems we design, and how we use digital infrastructure to serve our communities.
Leora reminded us that schools are microcosms of society. This could not be more true when we consider how technology is used. The systems we choose, the platforms we adopt, the tools we train staff to use, and the way we protect and use data all shape the experience and opportunity of pupils and staff alike. Digital leadership is not a technical function. It is a moral one.
Accountability and Trust in a Digital World
A core theme of Leora’s address was the need to rethink accountability. She acknowledged that the government has a legitimate role in setting the accountability framework, particularly given the level of public investment in education. However, she challenged us to go further.
We need to see accountability not as something done to us, but something we own. We must move beyond what is externally imposed and take responsibility for being transparent and intentional about what we value and how we measure success.
This is particularly true when it comes to digital strategy and AI. Are we using data to evidence compliance, or to improve the lived experience of children and families? Are we chasing metrics that are easy to capture, or investing in systems that reflect our values? Trusts must be clear about their vision for digital and their expectations for how technology will support teaching, learning and organisational effectiveness.
Collaboration Through Autonomy and Interdependence
One of the most compelling ideas in Leora’s speech was the balance between autonomy and interdependence. School trusts have significant freedom, but working in isolation can limit impact. In a connected digital world, the best outcomes come when we work together.
This is something we see clearly through our work at TransforMATive. Whether it is co-designing digital strategies, facilitating shared procurement, or building trust-wide AI policies, collaboration multiplies the impact of individual effort. Internal ownership, supported by sector-wide cooperation, creates a climate where innovation can thrive.
AI as a Leadership Test
Leora introduced a speaker known for helping leaders navigate “inflection points”. There is no doubt that AI represents such a moment. It is changing how we think about learning, teaching, administration and leadership itself.
But speed must not come at the expense of reflection. The education sector must respond to AI with maturity and clarity. That means building governance around its use, upskilling staff, ensuring equitable access, and grounding every AI tool in a clear purpose.
At TransforMATive, we are supporting trusts to craft thoughtful, robust AI strategies. These are not just about tools or productivity. They are about inclusion, agency, trust, and impact. The launch of a national AI policy, combined with the work of pioneering schools and trusts, will shape the future of education in profound ways. We must ensure that digital leadership keeps pace with this change.
Final Reflections: Purpose, People and Platforms
Leora’s keynote returned again and again to the theme of purpose. It is a useful reminder. Digital change is not about systems alone. It is about who we are and what we stand for.
If we can bring the same values-led approach to digital strategy as we do to curriculum or safeguarding, then the future of education will be both digitally enabled and deeply human. Let us lead with purpose, measure what matters, and take this moment seriously.
We are building more than systems. We are building a better future.
