Patron’s Dinner 2025
Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park
The fourteenth annual Patron’s Dinner, held in honor of our Patron, Lord Puttnam of Queensgate, is an evening dedicated to celebrating the dedication and achievements of our region’s school community. This exclusive event brings together over 400 of Schools North East’s Partner CEOs, Head Teachers, and Senior Leaders for an evening of networking and recognition.
Direct invitations will be sent later this year to all representatives of our Partner Schools.
For more information about becoming a Partner School and other benefits, please click here to view our 24/25 brochure.
Show more information Contact usEvent Overview
Chris Zarraga
Director, Schools North East
Chris has been part of the Schools North East team since its inception in 2007 and in 2019 he was appointed Director.
Chris works with other leaders across the North East, the education sector and charity sector to represent the voice of North East schools, and lobby policy makers to ensure that the North East is not left behind when it comes to education policy. Chris has overseen the launch of the Ednorth evidence-based excellence programme, as well as the partnership with SHINE bringing over £500,000 worth of funding to North East schools.
Under Chris, Schools North East has moved to a greater focus on lobbying around education policy, with the launch of the Manifesto for North East Education in December 2019. As well as being a trustee of a local MAT, Chris sits on various boards including the board for Opportunity North East. Prior to joining Schools North East, Chris worked with over 165 schools in the North East and various education organisations including local authorities, Excellence Partnerships, 14-19 Groups, the Specialist Schools & Academies Trust, and School Improvement Officers. He led a large scale culture change project in education across the North East and was the development consultant for the LEGI funded Wansbeck Enterprise Education Network.