In the current UK environment, we have been struck by the number of governing bodies and senior teams across the education sector who express a quiet, and sometimes pronounced, lack of confidence — even within some of the most successful organisations. It is understandable given the pressures the sector faces, but it must not become embedded. There is a strong case this is impacting culture, decision-making and ambition in ways that hold institutions back.
At Networked, we occasionally find ourselves reminding organisations of their strengths: their standing, their track record, their impact. It is a task we undertake readily, but ideally it would be part of conversations with prospective candidates — not the reassurance required by institutions themselves.
Despite the challenges, there remains a strong appetite among senior leaders within and beyond the sector to contribute to education and skills at the highest level. Candidates remain motivated by mission, purpose and the opportunity to influence the lives of learners and communities. This energy is one of education’s defining advantages.
The sector must hold on to that. Confidence does not mean ignoring risk or difficulty; it means recognising the achievements, resilience and public value that define education at its best. When leaders project confidence grounded in evidence and purpose, they create momentum — and momentum attracts talent, builds trust and unlocks opportunity.
Education has more to be confident about than it sometimes remembers.
We will be developing this theme and others throughout 2026, including convening a discussion event for sector leaders to reflect on these issues and share practical perspectives.