Going Beyond the Audit: How Keystone Drove Strategic Growth at Robert Carre Trust
Explore how Keystone's tailored internal scrutiny approach provided strategic clarity, increased confidence, and invaluable guidance for sustainable growth at Robert Carre Trust.
The Client
Robert Carre Trust is a multi-academy trust compromising two schools: Carre's Grammar School and Kesteven and Sleaford High School. Both institutions share a common ethos of genuine commitment to collaborative working, aiming to cultivate high-quality provision that supports learners in achieving their full potential.
Facing the expiration of their existing internal audit arrangement, Robert Carre Trust required a partner that could deliver relatable, sector-specific insights through peer-to-peer review and constructive feedback. Keystone Knowledge provided exactly that.
The Client's Challenges
Prior to engaging Keystone, Robert Carre Trust struggled with audit reports lacking depth, delivered by providers with insufficient education sector experience. This created uncertainty around the effectiveness of their internal scrutiny processes and strategic decisions.
"We faced significant challenges with audit reports that lacked substance and relevance, leaving us uncertain about our strategic direction and operational effectiveness." – Lauren Bedford, Director of Finance and Resources, Robert Carre Trust
The Trust needed detailed, actionable insights from a provider with deep sector knowledge, one capable of validating their strategic initiatives and offering clear guidance.
The Solution
"We selected Keystone Knowledge due to their strong reputation among fellow Finance Directors, their proven sector expertise, and their collaborative peer-to-peer approach."
Keystone Knowledge offered Robert Carre Trust a refreshed approach to internal scrutiny, providing comprehensive evaluations, actionable recommendations, and strategic validation.
"The most noticeable benefit has been the increased confidence in our strategic decision-making, knowing our processes and changes are effective and aligned with best practices."
Keystone's detailed reporting and insightful feedback allowed the Trust's leadership team to confirm the effectiveness of existing strategies and to make well-informed decisions moving forward.
The Results
"Keystone's support has significantly improved our strategic decision-making capabilities, allowing us to focus confidently on enhancing educational outcomes."
Key results include:
- Greater confidence: Enhanced trust in internal scrutiny findings, facilitating confident strategic decision-making
- Strategic validation: Validation of implemented changes, confirming alignment with operational goals
- Enhanced insight: Comprehensive, actionable feedback driving continual improvement
"Keystone's extensive knowledge of the education sector, combined with their practical, real-world understanding, is truly invaluable. They approach their work with professionalism and approachability, fostering a supportive 'critical friend' relationship. They consistently recognise the evolving challenges we face in the sector and provide thoughtful, constructive feedback. Their comprehensive reports offer valuable insights that drive meaningful improvement." – Lauren Bedford, Director of Finance and Resources, Robert Carre Trust
Conclusion
Keystone Knowledge's tailored internal scrutiny services provided Robert Carre Trust with the strategic clarity and actionable insights needed to enhance their operations. Their support has empowered the Trust to confidently pursue continuous improvement and strategic excellence.
About the author
Stephen is an experienced leader in education, and the CEO of Keystone Knowledge. He has worked as CEO, CFO, COO across academies since 2012 and delivered programmes of change and rapid organisational improvement.
He holds an MBA with a thesis on improving the quality of management in education, is currently working on his Doctorate, and is a national lead assessor on the School Resource Management Advisor (SRMA) programme for the DfE. He regularly speaks at national conferences on a range of topics relevant to the education sector.
