How do strong schools stay strong – 2026 Edition

In 2018, Sir David Carter, then National Schools Commissioner, posed a simple but powerful question to the SSAT Leading Edge headteachers’ steering group: What makes a strong school? The resulting reflections from experienced school leaders were brought together and published later that year.

Eight years on, we have revisited that same question. This updated publication captures the perspectives and lived experiences of 29 successful school leaders from across the SSAT Leading Edge network, shared in their own words.

Contributors were invited to reflect on four key questions:

• What does it mean to be a strong school?
• How do schools become strong?
• How do schools stay strong?
• What single piece of advice would you give to a leader embarking on a school improvement journey?

The 29 contributors represent schools serving diverse communities across the country. Some lead schools with a long history of exceptional performance, while others have driven significant and rapid improvement. Their experience spans different geographical locations, socio-economic settings and leadership tenures. Many have also supported improvement beyond their own schools, helping to strengthen education across the wider system.

Together, their insights provide valuable perspectives on what it takes to build, sustain and continually strengthen successful schools. We hope this collection sparks meaningful conversations, challenges thinking and offers practical ideas for leaders at every stage of their improvement journey.