FSM extension needed for North East to unlock full potential of Pupil Premium

Today the Local Government Association (LGA), has joined the many organisations, including Schools North East, urging the government to extend FSM. Similar to what Schools North East previously proposed last February, the LGA are campaigning for an automatic enrolment process to help vulnerable children access FSM.  At that time 11% of pupils who were eligible …

The Grangefield Academy’s ‘outstanding’ result

Schools North East would like to say congratulations to The Grangefield Academy, in Stockton-on-Tees, who have received an Ofsted result of Outstanding in all categories.  Dedication and Commitment This is the third academy in the Northern Education Trust to achieve Outstanding in all categories, under the new Ofsted framework – the others being North Shore …

RGS Partnerships: A Case Study of Cross-Sector Collaboration

The Royal Grammar School (RGS), in Newcastle, has an extensive programme of Partnership Activities with schools across the region. In the school year 2021-22, their work reached over 7,000 students and 300 teachers from more than 75 schools in the North-East.  Sustainable Model While cross-sector activities between Independent and State-funded Schools have traditionally relied on …

Schools North East Partner Schools elect new trustees

Over December and January, Schools North East held its Trustee elections with a record turnout of responses from our Partner Schools. The results were extremely close with all candidates receiving a high proportion of the votes cast.  Schools North East is proud to announce that our new elected trustees are Mark Hall and Mike Butler. …

Schools White Paper academisation targets dropped

The DfE has announced that they will be dropping two of the key proposed policies for academisation made in their ‘Opportunity for All’ White Paper published last March. Trust growth abandoned For some time, the future of the White Paper, released five Education Secretaries ago, has been a matter of intense speculation. In January, at …

Whickham School inspires students during National Apprenticeship Week

This week, schools throughout the country took part in National Apprenticeships Week. Hubs throughout the region took part as schools, colleges and employers engaged with and inspired young people in the Department for Education supported awareness campaigns. Whickham School, in Gateshead, fully embraced National Apprenticeship Week running activities and sharing resources with students. Focus on …

Portland Academy students show their resilience through the Duke of Edinburgh awards

Students at Portland Academy, in Sunderland, celebrated as they completed their Duke of Edinburgh awards. Portland Academy is a designated provision for learners aged 11-19 who have severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties. The school is part of the Ascent Academies Trust. Six Form celebration The afternoon ceremony celebrated the achievements of sixth form …

NE Schools take part in Children’s Mental Health Week

This week, schools and students throughout the North East took part in Children’s Mental Health Week.  #LetsConnect Children’s Mental Health Week began in 2015, launched by children’s mental health charity Place2Be. The campaign aims to shine a spotlight on children’s mental health. Schools get involved through assemblies, activities and themed campaign resources provided by Place2Be …

Thank you from a grateful father

A father of a child at Hadrian Park Primary School, in Wallsend, has written a heartfelt letter to his school to express how much the school has done for his family. The letter touched many senior leaders in the region and has been sent to Katrina Gueli, North East Regional Director of Ofsted. FAO: Katrina …

Merger brings ‘powerful force for good’ to education in the North East

Two multi-academy trusts are merging to create “a powerful force for good for education in the North East.” Northern Lights Learning Trust and Dayspring Trust combined on February 1st and will comprise seven schools and 3,093 children and young people, from the ages of two to 16.  Northern Lights Learning Trust The new trust, which …