New degree for SEND Teachers at Sunderland University

A new course will start in September allowing trainee teachers to specialise in supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) at a primary level.  The course is BA (Hons) Primary Education with SEND, and makes Sunderland University the only ITT provider in the region to offer this course. Students who qualify will be …

DfE officials take questions from MPs on school funding

Civil servants from the Department for Education took questions from the House of Commons’ education select committee on Tuesday, focusing on funding and financial management of schools. Giving evidence were Tony Foot, Director of Strategic Finance (DfE), Graham Archer, Director for Qualifications, Curriculum and Extra-Curricular (DfE), and Warwick Sharp, Director of Academies and Maintained Schools …

Schools North East reacts to three major education announcements

The government has announced a return to school for all students, a new educational recovery package, and the 2021 assessment arrangements for GCSE and A Level. It is crucial that the Education Secretary and Department for Education stands by the profession and gives schools the support they need to implement a successful return, as well …

Recovery plans needed as clock ticks on ‘return to school’

With increasing pressure on the Government it seems clear that a return to school in some form will take place in March. While we have published a ‘Roadmap to Reopening’ with proposals for a safe return, that is only the start, with plans around longer term recovery and system reform urgently needed.  ‘Catch up’ and …

North East school leaders share challenges with region’s MPs

As part of ongoing work to lobby policymakers on the key issues that North East schools are facing as a result of Covid-19, Schools North East has organised a series of virtual ‘MP roundtables’. The roundtables have allowed school leaders in the region to share their concerns and the situations they have been facing with …

Education ministers questioned on reopening and recovery

Education ministers Nick Gibb and Vicky Ford gave evidence to MPs on Tuesday, as part of the education select committee’s inquiry into left behind white pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. Before moving on to the main issues of the inquiry, chair of the committee Robert Halfon MP asked Nick Gibb about the wider opening of schools, …

Schools North East to support 2021 Lord Glenamara Awards

For the second consecutive year, Schools North East is proud to support the Lord Glenamara Memorial Prize Pastoral Care Award.  We all know just how difficult the past year has been for all school staff and students. With the impact of Covid-19 and lockdown taking a huge toll on wellbeing, there has been a huge …

Talking Heads: Helping our children thrive through good mental health

We are looking at the experiences of our school leaders on the ground through lockdown and the pandemic. This week's 'Talking Heads' comes from Alan Hardie, CEO at Northumberland Church of England Academy Trust. It’s a very long time since I was a pupil, but I can’t ever remember a time at school when anyone …

Schools North East launches Roadmap to Reopening at Academies Conference 2021

With keynote speakers including Baroness Berridge, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System, DfE, and National Schools Commissioner Dominic Herrington in attendance, Schools North East launched the Roadmap to Reopening with practical steps to the safe and sustained reopening of schools.  Academies 2021 opened with over 300 school leaders from across the region …

NNoSS: Findings of a survey of members on lateral flow testing in special schools

The National Network of Special Schools carried out a survey of members, all School Business Professionals in special or alternative provision settings, at the end of January to help build a picture of what testing looks like in special school settings following the introduction of lateral flow testing. KEY POINTS Testing - Most respondents have …