John Hardy celebrates SCHOOLS NorthEast 10-year history at Patron’s Dinner 2018
It was a night of celebration at the SCHOOLS NorthEast Patron’s Dinner last night, with heavy prominence on the 10th Anniversary of the charity. John Hardy, Chair of SCHOOLS NorthEast, presented the organisation and guests at the event with their very own ‘This is Your Life’ – featuring a red file for extra effect.
It was an extra special Patron’s Dinner this year, with friendly faces in the audience from over the charity’s 10 year history. John highlighted how far the organisation had come from inception in 2007, to the reach and prominence of the organisation now it is in its tenth year.
Addressing the guests, Mr Hardy, who has been Chair since 2015, said: “SCHOOLS NorthEast was set up at the end of 2007 and was built on schools’ deep desire to work together and support each other for the benefit of children across the region. In 2007, every child mattered. And today, they still do.”
John paid particular thanks to Beccy Earnshaw, SCHOOLS NorthEast’s first Director, and David Pearmain, the first Chair, who were instrumental not only in the set up of the organisation, but the success that it still has today.
He said: “In 2007, SCHOOLS NorthEast elected a Board to run it and elected a Chair – David Pearmain. We then took the momentous step of employing someone, and not just anyone. Our first member of staff and Director was Beccy Earnshaw and I can say that, along with Chris Zarraga, the Director of Operations, they have shaped the charity to what it is today.
“It would be very interesting indeed to see how many of our original Board and Trustees actually believed that the organisation would last 10 months, let alone 10 years. At the time, none of us seemed especially convinced. Although in hindsight, we all knew it would be a roaring success.”
John also highlighted how much the output of SCHOOLS NorthEast has changed from 2008 to 2018, particularly in the size of team and the events programme.
“In 2008, we announced and then postponed, re-announced and then re-postponed, and then finally held our first Annual Summit. And for those schools and Commercial Supporters who were there, , I’m sure you will never forget it. 100 guests, 42 separate conference sessions!! 7 sponsors, no interest from Ministers or Ofsted, but a truly tremendous atmosphere of colleagues coming together from across our region to help each other, to help the North East rise to the challenges of ensuring that all children have the best possible start to their lives and careers, regardless of where they started from.
“It’s truly remarkable just how many of those schools and supporters who were there, are still with us today, passionate advocates and members of the largest schools network in the country.
John reflected on the introduction of the Enhanced Membership (Partner School) scheme introduced in 2010 and the Commercial and Education Supporter memberships in that year, commenting on how far and fast it has grown.
Speaking on the enormity of the events programme in 2018 compared to 2008, John said: “We now hold eight major events a year and a dozen smaller ones, supporting Governors, Chairs, Head Teachers, Senior Leaders, SBMs, and frontline teaching staff.
“Our SBM network and annual conference is the largest of its kind in the country. And last year’s inaugural Governance conference dwarfed similar events across the country, including ones from national membership organisations. We attract Ministers, Lords, Ofsted Chief Inspectors, Secretaries of State, Olympic athletes, world famous motivational speakers, and most importantly, literally thousands of schools leaders and teachers, the heart of our network.”
Mr Hardy discussed SCHOOLS NorthEast’s lobbying efforts and how far that charity has come, and influenced, so many over the past ten years. Speaking about the areas covered, he said: “It encompasses Opportunity Areas, Alternative Provision, parental engagement, qualifications, the National Funding Formula, recruitment and retention, Governance, mental health and Evidence-based education to name just a few.
“We also launched the HealthyMindED Commission, the only school-led mental health commission in the country, which was a direct response to North East school leaders’ need for support in this area.”
After the appointment of Mike Parker and John himself as Chair in 2015, Mr Hardy told Patrons guests about the implementation of SCHOOLS NorthEast’s Vision and Strategy in 2016 – which was based on the needs and priorities of North East schools, in particular Partner Schools.
He said: “This became the focus of our events and activities and in particular our lobbying efforts – mental health, literacy and numeracy from Early Years to employment.
“This also included the launch of Jobs in Schools North East– the first UK regional school’s job recruitment portal, where all profits are reinvested for the benefit of NE schools, to ease financial pressures, support you with recruitment and retention, and to sell the North East as a teaching destination beyond its borders. It was from the particular efforts of our Vice-Chair, Iain Veitch, which made the recruitment portal what it is today.”
John then reflected on how the team has changed from the 3 of 2008 to the 10-strong team of 2008, all to create more capacity to cope with the ever-increasing demands for support.
Closing his speech, John reflected on everyone, and everything, that has made SCHOOLS NorthEast the success it is today.
He said: “Without each other, none of this would have been possible. We saw the need and we did something about it. Someone once said “we are the people we’ve been waiting for” and they were absolutely right. If we work together, support each other, and refuse to wait for others to act, there is nothing we cannot achieve. Here is to another 10 years. “