In 1970 the first of the 'New Independent Christian Schools' was opened in Rochester, Kent, by Mrs Betty Gross. By the mid 1980s God had prompted the opening of a further 24 similar schools across the UK, all functioning independently of each other. Several of the Head Teachers began to meet together for mutual support and encouragement - they valued their diversity but committed themselves to working together. Out of this informal gathering, 'The Christian Schools' Trust' was established in 1985.

David Freeman, the former chairman, recalls: 'Each of us held the conviction that as churches, parent groups or individuals, we were responding in faith to God, by pioneering Christ-centred schools independent of government support'.