Pressure on school leaders increases as Ofsted speed up school inspections

Despite calls for inspections to be paused growing ever louder, Ofsted appear to be ramping up the pressure on school staff, with the Secretary of State for Education announcing an additional £25 million in funding for all schools to be inspected by 2025.  However a host of educational charities, unions, and professional support bodies have …

North East continues to face high levels of persistent absences

School attendance statistics released this week by the Department for Education highlight the circuit-breaker effect of the half-term holidays on infection rates. Coronavirus related pupil absence in all state-funded schools was 1.6% on the 11th November, down from 3.2% on 21st October. Attendance in all state-funded schools was 91.5% on the 11th November, up from …

Ofsted responds to Schools North East briefing

After the Government’s announcement that Ofsted will inspect all schools by summer 2025, Schools North East received correspondence from Ofsted’s National Director for Education, Chris Russell this week, regarding feedback from our Autumn term stakeholder briefings. Schools North East hold regular virtual roundtables with school leaders and the Autumn term stakeholder briefings was dominated by …

Parent’s praise for school where children feel ‘special’

“So much more than a school” – that’s the verdict of a parent interviewed by Ofsted as part of an inspection at St Thérèse of Lisieux Catholic Primary School in Ingleby Barwick. The 213-pupil school – part of Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust (NPCAT) – was found to be Outstanding in behaviour and attitudes, personal …

Shotton Hall Primary School in Peterlee to receive prestigious UNICEF UK Gold Award

Shotton Hall Primary School in Peterlee is to be awarded Gold by UNICEF UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. The Rights Respecting Schools Award is granted to schools that show commitment to promoting and realising children’s rights and encouraging adults, children and young people to …

Spending Review needs to bring investment in schools

This week we’ve had the pleasure of hosting the BBC’s education editor, Branwen Jeffreys, to interview pupils, staff and parents/carers at Bishop’s and Duke’s Schools. The purpose of this was to get a view on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on schools ahead of the conclusion of the Government’s Spending Review next week. The …

SNE urges SoS to ‘protect our schools’ amidst TikTok storm

Schools North East has called on the Secretary of State for Education to urgently depressurise the education system, as staff in schools across the country are targeted by TikTok users. Schools North East has written to Nadhim Zahawi for effective actions to address the rising concerns for staff wellbeing During an MPs Roundtable last week …

Let Teachers SHINE 2022 is open for applications

Let Teachers SHINE 2022 is open for applications until January 18.  SHINE offer up to £25,000 over two years to teachers who have brilliant ideas to help support children in the North of England to succeed in English, maths, or science, particularly those from socio economically disadvantaged backgrounds.  As well as funding, SHINE offers practical support for …

South Tyneside school inspires book hunt across the region

A primary school in Jarrow has created a book trail for pupils and the wider local community to get involved in during the half-term holiday and beyond. Two children from each class at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, have been chosen to hide a book in …

Pressure on school leaders soars as schools feel impact of the return to full inspection

Schools North East have heard from school leaders in recent weeks that Ofsted’s current approach is one of the many factors for school staff fearing fatigue and burnout. Through its virtual networks, MPs roundtables and extensive school leader consultations, Schools North East is hearing a rising chorus of complaints from CEOs and Head Teachers across …