New DfE Ministerial Responsibilities Announced

This week, Prime Minister Liz Truss’ announced the new Education ministerial portfolios and responsibilities. As well as Secretary of State Kit Malthouse, the following portfolios were confirmed: Minister for Schools and Childhood Kelly Tolhurst; Minister of School Standards Jonathan Gullis; Minister of Skills Andrea Jenkyns; and Minister for the School and College System Baroness Barran …

A first look into plans for North East schools to join or merge Trusts

Earlier this year, the government published its Schools White Paper, setting out plans for all schools to be in a ‘strong’ multi-academy trust by 2030, defining a strong trust as having 10 schools or 7500 pupils. Currently, there is no clear picture across the region of how North East trusts are responding to these proposals. …

Pupils thrive at Gibside School

Congratulations to Gibside School in Gateshead on their recent ‘Outstanding’ grade from Ofsted .  Gibside School is a Local Authority maintained primary specialist provision. In their inspection report, they received no recommendations for action and an overall  grade of ‘Outstanding’ at their first routine inspection since the pandemic began.  All pupils have a voice The …

Haltwhistle Primary School reopens after traumatic start to the school year

Commiserations to Haltwhistle Academy Primary School, which has suffered one of the toughest starts to the new academic year in the whole region. The school, part of the WISE Academies Trust, was subjected to an arson attack and  then serious flooding just as they were set to reopen after the summer holidays. Damage to multi-million …

Key Stage 2 data shows impact of the pandemic on disadvantaged children

The beginning of September saw the release of Key Stage 2 attainment data for the academic year 21/22. The DfE data release highlighted the widening gap between disadvantaged pupils and other children. All regions saw a decline in the percentage of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths this year, compared with …

Community Comes Together to Paint the School

Seaton Sluice Middle School has undergone a transformation this summer due to an army of contractors, community volunteers, local councillors, staff volunteers and the site team who came on site to repaint the school. All together now With the nation worrying about the cost of living crisis, and our region’s already existing levels of deprivation …

Growing North South gap

Due to the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II this story has been postponed for two weeks. The whole team at Schools North East welcomes you all back to this new school year and look forward to meeting you all once again. Over the summer, the North East received exam results that reflected a …

Successful Saints Scholars Programme helps to open door to University for South Tyneside students

The Saints Scholars programme, funded by the Community Foundation and implemented at St. Wilfrid’s RC College in South Tyneside assisted students to gain aspirations of going to University.  The programme was piloted by Rosanne Hume, Head of Spanish at St Wilfrid’s and now Assistant Vice Principal at Castle View Enterprise Academy, in Sunderland. Removing Stigmas  …

North East Schools pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

This week, schools across the region have celebrated the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. After a week of national mourning and reflection, schools will close on bank holiday (Monday 19 September) for the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. The region reflects Schools in the North East have paid tribute to the late …

The North East mourns the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Schools North East team was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, aged 96, after 70 years of dedicated service. Our sincerest condolences and thoughts are with the royal family. As the new academic year starts, the North East has come together with the rest of our nation …