Champions of the North East: Celebrating Leadership, Resilience, & Innovation
The Schools North East Annual Patron’s Dinner once again proved why it is one of the most significant events in the regional education calendar. With around 500 school leaders, education professionals, and partners in attendance, the evening was a powerful reminder of the collective strength, determination, and excellence that define North East schools.
More than just a dinner, yesterday’s event was a celebration of leadership and a rallying call for the future. A night where we did not plead for recognition, but instead demonstrated why we are the ones setting the standard for education in this country.
The power of stories: Leading, not pleading
In his opening address, Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, set the tone for the evening by reflecting on the power of stories—those that shape us, those that define our region, and those that must be told to challenge outdated narratives about North East schools.
“The Patron’s Dinner is our way of saying thank you. It is a night where we put aside the pressures and challenges of the day job and take a moment to celebrate the immense contribution of our Partner Schools and Trusts—to our region, to our country, and to the thousands of young people whose lives you shape.
“It is also a night where we come together, as a community, to remind ourselves that we are not isolated, we are not alone, and we are not powerless. You are part of something much bigger—much louder—a collective force that stands up, speaks out, and ensures that the real story of North East education is heard.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly what tonight is all about.”
For too long, the North East has been judged on a narrow set of statistics, taken out of context, failing to capture the reality of what our schools achieve every single day. We still hear that our schools are a problem to be solved, when the evidence shows they are an example to be followed. Our primary schools lead the country. Our secondary schools outperform London for students with the highest levels of long-term disadvantage. And our school leaders are driving innovation that is copied across the country.
Even Nick Gibb, after years of criticising our schools, finally admitted that our challenges are about long-term deprivation—not the quality of our schools and their leaders.
A celebration of champions: Past, present, and future
This year’s theme, “Champions of the North East,” paid tribute not only to the great figures of our region’s past but also to the school leaders of today, who continue their legacy through their work in education.
As attendees arrived, they may not have realised that they were literally travelling through history—a history shaped by North Eastern ingenuity. If they crossed the High Level Bridge, they were on the world’s first dual-purpose bridge. If they came by train, they did so on a railway system pioneered by George and Robert Stephenson. Even something as simple as switching on a light before they left home owes a debt to Joseph Swan, who invented the first practical electric lightbulb (20 years before Edison).
Each table was named after one of these great figures: visionaries like Josephine Butler, who fought for women’s rights and social reform; Stan Laurel, whose comedic genius defined a generation; and Gertrude Bell, the Durham-born archaeologist, writer, and diplomat who helped shape the modern Middle East.
These figures were leaders, pioneers, and problem-solvers, and that same resilience and vision live on in our school leaders today.
Because make no mistake, every time a Head Teacher fights for their students to have the same opportunities as those in more privileged areas, they are a Champion of the North East.
Every time a school leader challenges outdated assumptions about our schools, they are a Champion of the North East. Every time an educator refuses to let disadvantage define a child’s future, they are a Champion of the North East.
Colin Lofthouse, Chair of Schools North East, addressed the theme in his own speech: “The more you know about the past the better prepared you are for the future’ were the wise words of Theodore Roosevelt, the 24th American President and, to date, the youngest ever elected.
“History teaches us, that whatever the challenge, they are not insurmountable. People from our region Like Charles Grey (he of the monument) or Rachel Parsons stand as examples of how those born into privilege are able to act with principle and integrity and use their positions, not for self-interest, but to advance society through the abolition of the slave trade and women’s employment rights respectively.
“There is a lesson in that for all of us. In a world that sometimes feels like it is retreating into hostility and division, education is the last and greatest defense of civil society.
“So tonight, let us take inspiration from our past and apply it to our present. Let us continue to work together to navigate the uncertainty of our times, knowing that in the classrooms of the North East, we are shaping a better future—not just for our children, but for the world they will inherit.”
Dr Dan Jackson: Understanding our past to shape our future
This year, we were honoured to welcome Dr Dan Jackson, acclaimed author of The Northumbrians, as our guest speaker. His powerful address reinforced the themes of resilience, ingenuity, and identity that run deep in our region’s history.
Dr Jackson’s research highlights how North East pioneers—from social reformers to industrial innovators and cultural icons—shaped the world through their courage and determination. His speech was a reminder that the North East has always been a driving force for change—and that today’s educators are continuing that tradition.
As he spoke about the fierce pride and identity that define this region, it was impossible not to draw parallels to the leaders in the room: Head Teachers, CEOs, educators, and partners who embody those same qualities today.
A night of community, culture, and celebration
The evening was not just about speeches and reflection—it was about celebration.
We were treated to a truly spectacular performance from pupils Saoirse (Year 9, Cardinal Hume Catholic High School) and Aoife (Year 6, St. Peter’s Catholic Primary School), whose Irish dance routine captivated the audience.
Their talent and dedication were a testament to the incredible students in our region’s schools, reinforcing why our work matters.
A final thank you
Events of this scale are only possible with the support of those who share our mission. A huge thank you goes to NYES, our main sponsor, as well as our supporting sponsors:
- Ward Hadaway
- Humly
- University of Sunderland
- Alumasc Roofing
- Education Mutual
- CER
- The Edwin Group
- Schools Mutual Services
Their support helps ensure that this event continues to grow, inspiring and uniting North East school leaders year after year.
Looking ahead: The future of North East education
As the evening concluded, there was a shared sense of purpose and a determination to keep driving education forward, not just in our own schools, but on a national level.
Because the North East is not behind. Instead, the North East is leading.
The Patron’s Dinner 2025 was not just an evening of recognition—it was a statement.
A statement that we will tell our own story. A statement that we will shape our own future. A statement that North East education is thriving, and it is time the rest of the country caught up.
Because we do not plead for change. We lead it.
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