Schools North East asked to lead the way with a national network for School Business Professionals in Special Schools and Alternative Provision
Schools North East is delighted to have been commissioned by the Department for Education to deliver a national network of Special Schools and Alternative Provision for School Business Professionals. The vision is for all School Business Professionals in maintained, free and academy AP and Special Schools to have access to an effective support network.
The North East is truly leading the way in terms of collaboration and networking and this has been recognised at the highest level, with the DfE choosing to use our network model for this national programme. Our Partner Schools are at the heart of our model and their ongoing support has allowed us to work for all the schools in the North East, supporting staff in all roles and at all levels.
Alongside our extensive events programme, including our annual School Business Management Conference, Schools North East has successfully supported networks across the region. This year we have also launched the online community ConnectEd to help SBPs, Head Teachers and teaching professionals across the region connect with each other, engage in discussions and share resources.
The national network will build on this work to facilitate good and best practice, it will lead, drive and deliver behaviour change in schools’ buying practices, and be linked with wider regional and national networks. It will be a source of support, information, advice, guidance and continuing professional development for its members.
We aim to make this network a powerful voice for SBPs in this sector, building upon the many excellent local networks that already exist. This national group will work to engage with decision and policy makers and think tanks and work to create efficiencies across the sector. It will also be a platform on which to celebrate everything that is wonderful about these diverse schools, and will be supported by Advocates and Ambassadors from across the country.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said ‘We are delighted to have this opportunity. We recognise how diverse this sector is and how much support and value the network will bring to those working in Special Schools. We are pleased that Schools North East has been selected to expand our work for SBMs and school networks across the country’.
Alison Jefferson, Director of Resources at Durham Trinity School & Sports College, and Schools North East SBM Council Member, said ‘I am delighted that Schools North East has been awarded the contract to host the National Network of Special Schools. This network will be a valuable resource for the sector. As special schools are quite often unique in their local area this is a fantastic opportunity for national collaboration. I am very much looking forward to being part of the Network and meeting and sharing with other special School Business Professionals.’
We welcome the opportunity to expand this work to SBPs in special schools and alternative provision across the country.