Keystone Knowledge – Practical Support for School and Trust Leaders

Keystone Knowledge works alongside school and trust leaders to provide expert support in the areas that underpin effective education—HR, finance, operations, and governance. Our team is made up of current and former school and trust leaders, which means we understand the pressures and complexities that come with running a school or multi-academy trust.

We offer clear, actionable support that helps leaders build strong systems, respond to challenges, and plan for the future. We don’t just advise, we work with you to make change happen.

Areas We Support:

• HR: Ongoing HR advice, casework support, and policy development tailored to the education sector.
• Internal Scrutiny: Independent reviews that go beyond box-ticking, providing assurance to boards and improve operational effectiveness.
• Finance & Interim Support: Strategic financial guidance, support with budget planning, and experienced professionals who can step into interim roles when needed.
• Trust Growth: Support with planning and managing trust expansion, including risk assessments and governance alignment.
• Due Diligence: Comprehensive reviews to inform decision-making around school acquisitions or mergers.
• Consultancy: Practical, school-focused advice on leadership, compliance, governance, policy, and systems improvement.
   

We bring over 100 years of collective experience in education, and we’ve supported schools and trusts of all sizes, from single schools to large national MATs. Our aim is to give school leaders the space and support to focus on teaching, learning, and pupil outcomes; knowing that the operational foundations are in place and working.

Book a consultation
Read our case studies
Enter our £1,000 termly book grant draw for primary schools
Read our ‘shaping the MAT sector to 2030’ white paper