A round-up of Schools and Academies Show 2025

Our school team had a brilliant couple of days during the Schools and Academies Show – catching up with industry partners, making new connections, and diving into conversations that really matter for the future of education.During the conference Caitlin Bell, Market Development Director for Education at Capita, joined the Foundation for Education Development on a panel session advocating creating a profession that is empowered, valued and trusted. We also delivered a presentation in the Estates Theatre which discussed navigating the DfE’s four-level estate management framework and how our team can support you to advance your estate strategy, this session will equipped delegates with the tools, knowledge, and support to progress through all four levels with clarity and purpose. We also discussed how Capita’s Total Asset Management System (TAMS) solution supports schools in achieving and sustaining higher levels of estate maturity.One theme kept coming up: the golden thread of inclusion and empowerment. How do we create an education system where everyone feels valued, has agency, and can focus on what they do best?Caitlin Bell has shared some of her reflections on this theme: 1. Technology is part of the answer – helping reduce admin, freeing up time, and enabling smarter ways of working. But it’s not just about tech. It’s about collaboration between the sector and industry, and yes, sometimes that means outsourcing.2. Outsourcing shouldn’t be seen as a negative. Done right, it’s about focusing on your core mission and building partnerships that bring expertise and innovation to the table. Strong contract management and shared goals make it a win-win for everyone.At Capita, we’re proud to play our part in this journey – supporting schools, universities, and the wider education ecosystem to make inclusion and empowerment more than just words.If you would like to discuss any topics, you found insightful at the conference please contact us at information@entrust-ed.co.uk