Schools North East

NEW EPISODE #TheSNEPodcast 🎙️

We celebrate Steve Stringer’s remarkable 40-year career as caretaker at North Fawdon Primary School. Hear him reflect on the school’s evolution and share heart-warming stories from his time.

Listen to the full episode here: ow.ly/sIck50W68Tk

#EducationPodcast

🎥 Interview in progress with BBC Look North.

Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, highlights the school readiness crisis in the region: 1 in 3 kids aren't ready for school, and this affects every classroom, every community.

📺 Tune in ~6:30pm tonight.

RECORDING IN PROGRESS 🎙️

Last week, we were joined by Jenn Findlay (Hotspur Primary School), Julie Craggs (Acre Rigg Academy) and Tracey Wilson (Lumley Infant and Nursery School) for #TheSNEPodcast.

What a way to start a Thursday ✅

Catch up on all episodes here: schoolsnortheast.podbean.com

North East schools suffering 'crisis deepening by the day', teachers say The Schools North East group has hit out at the Government for not investing more in the region's education system

As The Voice of North East schools, it's great to see our response to the #SpringStatement hit the news.

“Every pound invested in education today will save us many times more in social impact, lost opportunity, and inequality tomorrow.”

Full story:

#WeLeadNotPlead #NorthEastEducation

NEW EPISODE 👏 #TheSNEPodcast.

We explore how Hudson Road Primary's 'Additionally Resourced Provision', known as The Harbour, is redefining support for pupils with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Listen here: schoolsnortheast.podbean.com/e/forever-sc...

#EducationPodcast #SEND

Our latest #EducationPolicy Roundup has just landed in the inboxes of our Partner Schools ✅

This update provides a quick overview of the work we’ve done to amplify the voice of North East schools over the past half-term.

#NorthEastSchools #EduSky #EdTech

#EducationPolicy must be made in consultation with school leaders and those at the ‘chalkface’, which is why we use our platform to explore challenges and experiences.

Have you listened to #TheSNEPodcast yet? Available wherever you get your podcasts: shorturl.at/HzVw8

First 750 schools named for free breakfast clubs in England From April, a pilot scheme will offer free breakfasts for 180,000 pupils before class.

Families and children across the North East will soon benefit from free, daily breakfast clubs as the government has confirmed 56 schools are to offer the scheme.

Read in full: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

#ChildPoverty #NorthEastSchools

🚀 At #SNECurriculum25, we advocated for a #curriculum that reflects our region’s unique context and empowers our schools.

The #NorthEast is not just a follower—we are leaders in educational excellence!

Read the full story here: lnkd.in/e4FyZ6WJ

It's #NationalLoveYourPetDay, so allow us to introduce you to the furry friends of Schools North East...

George • Buster • Milo • Chester • Louis • Saffi • Esther 🧡

By ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed, we create a more resilient, balanced, and sustainable economy, benefiting both individuals and the country as a whole.

"For every child, for every school, for the future of our region." #WeLeadNotPlead

A brilliant day yesterday!

We hope everyone left the conference with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of practical strategies to implement in all schools across our region.

Remember: WE LEAD NOT PLEAD. #SNECurriculum25

A real privilege to speak again, alongside @mrmict.bsky.social, at this year’s @schoolsnortheast.bsky.social curriculum conference. We focused on adaptation within curriculum and task design. Thanks again for the invite.

Reflections: The Schools North East Curriculum Conference 2025 Adaptation, Disadvantage, and the Power of Precision It was an honour to not only be able to attend this year’s Schools North East Curriculum Conference but presenting again was also fantastic. The…

A pleasure attending & presenting alongside @dominicjmartin.bsky.social at the @schoolsnortheast.bsky.social Curriculum Conference today—huge thanks to those who stayed for our session!

I’ve shared my key takeaways & reflections below👇

mrmict.com/2025/02/18/r...

#Curriculum #Edutwitter

Now listening to David Didau keynote at the @schoolsnortheast.bsky.social Curriculum Conference, using some interesting optical illusions to highlight how our brains interpret information depends upon how we look at it - open-mindedness and curiosity help us to see things differently.

Chris Zarraga, Director of SNE, begins with a welcome speech.

“This conference is about you — connecting, sharing & strengthening our knowledge of curriculum. You continue to deliver extraordinary work, supporting young people & communities in challenging circumstances.

#SNECurriculum25

Need something new to listen to on the way into work? 🏫

#TheSNEPodcast is your source for better understanding the critical issues facing our education system today (from a North East England perspective).

Listen to all 14 episodes now: schoolsnortheast.podbean.com

#EduSky

#SNECurriculum25: 🚨 SOLD OUT 🚨

We can't wait to welcome everyone next week and share this enriching experience together. We now have a waiting list collecting any further bookings and if a space becomes available for you, our Events team will be in touch!

Sponsor: MCC Digital

Have you listened to the latest episode of #TheSNEPodcast yet? 🌳

@paulrickeard.bsky.social, CEO of the Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Learning Trust, shares firsthand insights into the unique pressures facing rural schools in the North East.

Listen now: shorturl.at/39t1S

#EduSky

Evolving from our successful Healthy MindED and Challenging Behaviour conferences, #SNEInclusion25 is your opportunity to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in education today.

Keynote announcement: Katherine Cowell.

Learn more and book here: schoolsnortheast.org/event-calend...

It's #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek!

Let's turn awareness into ACTION. How can we create lasting change for young people's mental wellbeing? Open conversations, prioritise early intervention, and listen to their voices. It's a year-round priority!

#CMHW #MentalHealthMatters

Inclusion at the Heart of the School System – Tom Rees - Schools North East Keynote at Schools North East Academies Conference 2025 – Thursday 23rd January 2025,  With sections taken from ‘5 Principles for Inclusion’ (Newmark/Rees 2023): https://cstuk.org.uk/knowledge/discuss...

Great to be at @schoolsnortheast.bsky.social last week to introduce the Inclusion Expert Advisory Group, which I'm pleased to be chairing.

Reforming the SEND system is the most important area of focus for us in the next 5-10 years.

Here's what I said in full.

schoolsnortheast.org/news/inclusi...

SEND: A call for inclusion and systemic change - Schools North East The SEND crisis calls for systemic change. Hear from school leaders and the chair of the Education Expert Advisory Group on what this means.

@tomrees.bsky.social's message at #SNEAcademies25 resonates strongly with the challenges #NNoSS members have contributed to shining a crucial light on. @schoolsnortheast.bsky.social

#SEND: A call for inclusion and systemic change. Read the full article here: schoolsnortheast.org/news/send-a-...

Teachers reveal scale of Labour's school-ready promise Almost half of parents are not concerned if teachers spend time toilet training children, as a new survey reveals the task of Labour’s ‘school ready’ pledge.

Great to see @paulineaitchison.bsky.social, Schools North East Deputy Director, quoted in this @schoolsweek.bsky.social article, highlighting an imbalance in support between health and education departments.

Read the full article: schoolsweek.co.uk/i-dont-remem...

Academies Conference 2025: A resounding success!

A day of inspiration, collaboration, and a shared commitment to #LeadNotPlead. Huge thanks to all speakers, sponsors, and delegates.

We heard powerful messages about courage, innovation, and ensuring every child receives the education they deserve.

I will be speaking at the @schoolsnortheast.bsky.social Curriculum Conference 2025 on Adaptive Task Design!

Honoured to be among an inspiring lineup of speakers.

If you’re attending, we’d love to see you there! If you’re not yet attending I would get booking 😊

schoolsnortheast.org/event-calend...

Leaders challenged to create school cultures where all pupils belong CST chief executive Leora Cruddas warns that the school system is not working as well as it should for some pupils with SEND

"How do we create school cultures where everybody feels that they belong?" @leoracruddas.bsky.social of @cstvoice.bsky.social addresses leaders at the @schoolsnortheast.bsky.social Academies Conference. @johngroberts.bsky.social reports for @tesmagazine.bsky.social: www.tes.com/magazine/new...

Christmas break over? Don't worry, we've got exciting things planned ✨

Welcome back to school, everyone! Let's make 2025 the best year yet. We look forward to catching up with you all properly very soon.

#NewYear #BackToSchool

We teamed up with North East Child Poverty Commission to publish a briefing on free school meals and 'auto-enrolment' in our region, which has been shared with all of the North East's MPs.

We are urging the Govt to implement a national, opt-out system ✔️

I’m speaking at the @schoolsnortheast.bsky.social Academies Conference 2025.

Hear my session ‘A Solid Strategy is the Key to Success’ on Thursday 23 January at The Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle. I look forward to meeting you at #SNEAcademies25.

More information: tinyurl.com/f7d4htr2