Championing North East schools: Addressing disadvantage and driving progress
Every August, the same narrative hits our headlines: comparisons of GCSE results that highlight a “north-south divide,” often unfairly criticising schools in our region. Yet, amidst these misguided assessments, North East schools stand strong, working tirelessly to provide the best possible education for our children and young people.
As you know, Schools North East is the only organisation of its kind, representing all 1,150 schools in the region, and is dedicated to championing your efforts and ensuring your unique challenges are understood and addressed at a national level.
We are the definitive, apolitical voice of North East schools.
Understanding the context
While national headlines often focus solely on exam results, it’s crucial to understand the complex factors that influence educational outcomes in the North East. A recent Sutton Trust report, highlighting a “tale of two cities,” starkly demonstrated the profound impact of long-term economic deprivation and geographical realities on our region’s pupils.
For instance, children from disadvantaged backgrounds in central Newcastle are significantly less likely to obtain a degree by age 22 compared to their counterparts in East Ham, London, despite similar levels of free school meal eligibility.
In 2024, while the North East’s overall GCSE results for English and maths (grades 4 or above) were only better than the North West’s, a deeper dive into the data reveals a critical distinction that can’t be overlooked.
For disadvantaged pupils, the North East achieved the third-highest pass rate nationally, surpassed (just!) only by London and the West Midlands. This nuanced reality has been central to our advocacy with politicians since our inception in 2007.
A call for adapted policy to fix the system’s shortcomings
The challenges faced by North East schools are not a reflection of competence but rather a consequence of a system that has not adequately adapted to their unique context. For example, our region faces a significant shortage of subject specialists, particularly in core subjects like maths and English, in our most deprived schools.
Speaking to Schools Week, Schools North East Director Chris Zarraga said: “The biggest bugbear I have — I find this really insulting — is that there’s an assumption that North East school leaders and schools aren’t as competent as in other areas.
“When you look at what they’re dealing with, you’re talking about people at the cutting edge of education, who have been practising inclusion a long time before it became an Ofsted buzzword, and who have real skills in what they do.”
“The problem is that the system hasn’t adapted to them.”
Looking ahead towards a more responsive and devolved system
Concerns also persist around Ofsted reform. There’s a real worry that proposed changes, including giving schools a grade for achievement, could lead to a more data-led inspection system, reminiscent of a period where the North East was heavily penalised.
Leaders in the region hope for a system that truly understands and accounts for the complexities our schools navigate.
While national initiatives like “levelling up” have acknowledged regional disparities, the North East was initially overlooked in “opportunity areas” programmes, highlighting a need for a more nuanced understanding of long-term disadvantage.
Poverty in London, while present, often differs structurally from the North East, where families may experience longer periods of poverty due to fewer labour opportunities and less developed transport infrastructure.
Uniting for progress: A stronger voice for North East education
Since its inception in 2007, Schools North East has consistently advocated for politicians to take these contextual factors seriously. We always stress: Policy must take into account local context and not use a one size fits all approach.
Tremendous progress has been made in raising awareness of the specific challenges our region faces, with key figures like Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell, both North East MPs, engaging strongly with these efforts.
However, there’s still work to be done to convince the highest echelons of the Department for Education (DfE) that understanding context is not an excuse, but a vital reality that profoundly impacts school performance.
As our organisation approaches its 20th anniversary, we strive to see a greater devolution of decision-making and resources. Establishing a DfE policy unit within the North East, alongside increased DfE manpower in the region, could ensure that local context is not only understood but actively informs policy and funding decisions.
This would represent a monumental step towards a more equitable and effective education system for all North East schools and, most importantly, for the children they serve. For every child, for every school, for the future of our region.
We were delighted when Schools Week approached us to spotlight our organisation’s vital work in a dedicated feature. Read Chris Zarraga’s full profile here.