Pressure grows for Ofsted reform

In light of the recent tragic news about Head Teacher Ruth Perry at Caversham Primary School, Schools North East sent out a survey to the region’s school leaders in order to understand the detail behind the key issues dominating the media around school accountability. The survey is still accepting responses, and can be filled out …

DfE data reveals post-pandemic attendance challenge

Last week, the Department for Education released pupil absence data for 2021/22. Across England, the overall absence rate was 7.6%. The percentage of persistent absentees (those missing 10% or more sessions) was 22.5%. Absences throughout 21/22 have been higher than in previous years. Pre-pandemic, absence rates were below 5%, and persistent absences just over 10%. …

Award-winning essays land pupils a meeting with the King

Pupils from a Peterlee secondary school joined His Majesty The King, The Queen Consort and 750 school children and young people from across the UK to celebrate Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey. St Bede’s Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, was invited to attend the Royal …

Pelton Piranhas destined for Dallas

A student robotics team from Pelton Community Primary School has secured a place in the World Robotics Championship in Dallas Texas, this May.  The team is currently fundraising for the trip and featured on BBC Radio Newcastle Breakfast Show with Matt Bailey. The Pelton Piranhas Pelton’s VEX IQ Robotics journey began in September 2021 when …

Minister for Skills sets out his three priorities for careers education

Minister for Skills, Apprenticeships, and Higher Education, Robert Halfon MP, gave evidence this week to the Education Select Committee’s inquiry into careers education, information, advice and guidance. Robert Halfon set out his three priorities as Minister for Skills. First, he wanted to see a clear and unified career system accessible to all. This, he said, …

The Dales School install Pacer Train classroom

The Dales School, in Blyth, has been featured on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. The show followed the conversion of their class 144 Pacer Train installed in their grounds.  The train is fitted with a fully working driving simulator to help encourage early career aspirations and to help children with sensory needs to experience the sounds …

Local schools collaborate with university on brand new art exhibition

The Northern School of Art has partnered with students from North East schools to create a new exhibition entitled ‘Modern Makers’. The exhibition opened last week at The Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle.  Modern Makers The BA (Hons) Textiles & Surface Design degree staff and students from The Northern School of Art, in Hartlepool, have …

North East students elected to UK Youth Parliament

Two Tyneside students have been elected as members of the UK Youth Parliament.  Cameron Quinn, of St Thomas More Catholic High School, and Sharon Zeng of George Stephenson High School won the election for North Tyneside.  The UK Youth Parliament aims to represent the views of 11 to 18-year-olds in Youth Parliament giving young people …

More voices call for extension to FSM eligibility

An unresolved issue In February 2022, Schools North East worked in partnership with the North East Child Poverty Commission (NECPC) to write to the Secretary of State for Education. This letter challenged the current FSM provision in England as being insufficient to support the need experienced by schools and local authorities across the region. The …

MPs begin inquiry into persistent absence

The House of Commons Education Select Committee opened its inquiry into persistent absence and support for disadvantaged pupils this week, taking evidence from Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza. Also giving evidence were Rob Williams, Senior Policy Adviser at the National Association of Head Teachers, Alice Wilcock, Head of Education at Centre for Social Justice, …