A collective voice for change: Reflections on our Schools White Paper & SEND Reform conference
The recent publication of the government’s Schools White Paper, alongside the consultation on SEND reform, marks a significant moment for the education sector. As ever, the challenge for our school and trust leaders is not simply understanding what’s been announced, but interpreting what it truly means in practice, particularly within the distinct context of the North East.
Yesterday, we brought together leaders from across the region for a focused and timely briefing designed to do exactly that. More than a policy update, the session centred on cutting through complexity and translating national reform into meaningful insight, creating space for the sector to reflect, question, and respond collectively.
Expert insights from national and regional leaders
With expert contributions from Sam Freedman (Institute for Government), Ben Hardy (Schools North East) and Katherine Cowell (Department for Education), the conversation bridged national perspective and regional reality.
Crucially, the discussion didn’t shy away from the challenges and instead highlighted both the opportunities within the proposals and the areas where further clarity, capacity, or ambition will be needed.
A system in transition
In Ben’s session, he highlighted the rapid evolution of the North East education system over the last 5 years. During this time, we have seen the number of academies rise by over 200, at the same time that we have seen the number of trusts operating in the North East fall from 129 to just over 100 through a number of mergers. This is a trend that we predict will continue following the announcement in the white paper for all schools to be in trusts, against a backdrop of financial challenge that requires making the most of economies of scale.
Ben also pointed to emerging plans for local partnerships, bringing together schools, local authorities, health services, and other community support. For this to work effectively, it is essential that all of the accountability does not fall at the door of our schools and trusts. Along with joint partnerships needs to be joint accountability, and aligned targets to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children and young people.
These initiatives signal a more collaborative, place-based approach, where leadership extends beyond individual schools and into the broader system. The recognition that ‘schools are not islands’ is welcome, and long overdue, but it requires more than just words to make this a reality and is reliant on health ‘joining the party’.
Clear ambitions, practical pressures
Katherine Cowell’s presentation provided an overview of the Schools White Paper, outlining government targets across all stages of education. These include early readiness for school, improved attainment in phonics and Key Stage 2, and progress at Key Stage 4, with a particular focus on disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
Katherine also emphasised the importance of pupil engagement and belonging, reflecting a broader view of success that goes beyond academic outcomes. While these ambitions offer clarity, attendees reflected on the practical pressures of delivery, especially in areas already experiencing high demand and stretched capacity.
SEND reform at the crossroads
In Sam Freedman’s session, he explored the SEND reform proposals, focusing on areas most likely to have tangible impact for schools. He highlighted long-standing pressures, such as rising demand, inconsistent provision, and funding constraints, and stressed that reform success relies not only on policy design but on effective collaboration across the system.
Sam highlighted that meaningful improvements will depend on ensuring reforms translate into day-to-day practice and that regional insights shape implementation to reflect local realities.
Opportunity in complexity
Across these discussions, a common theme emerged: the system is becoming more interconnected, which brings both complexity and opportunity. Ben highlighted early thinking on reforming funding to better target long term disadvantage, suggesting the potential to better align this with local priorities.
Combined with the focus on collaboration and trust-led improvement, these developments suggest a system that, while more complex, can also be more effective. Leaders are increasingly challenged to think beyond their own schools, engaging with the wider ecosystem to ensure that structural, academic, and social reforms deliver tangible benefits for every child.
The power of regional collaboration
What stood out most powerfully, however, was not just the content of the White Paper itself, but the response from the North East school community.
As we highlight regularly: there is a unique strength in this region and a willingness to collaborate, to share openly, and to approach change not in isolation but as a collective. The roundtable discussions exemplified this.
Leaders engaged thoughtfully with the proposals, bringing diverse perspectives grounded in real-world experience. These conversations moved beyond surface-level reactions, instead shaping a nuanced, evidence-informed regional voice that will directly inform our consultation response.
The discussions were further enriched by a shared understanding that the context of the North East matters deeply in how these reforms are interpreted and implemented. Structural changes to the trust landscape, evolving expectations around partnership working, and the ongoing pressures linked to disadvantage and SEND all play out differently across regions.
By bringing these perspectives together, leaders were able to move beyond general policy interpretation and instead consider what effective implementation will require locally, both in terms of capacity and collaboration.
This is where the true power of the Schools North East network lies.
Thank you to all delegates and exhibitors who joined us yesterday, and a big thank you to main event sponsor University of Sunderland. Have your say on the Schools White Paper by filling in this short survey from Schools North East.
*
Continue the White Paper conversation
Schools North East Inclusion Conference – With inclusion a central focus of the Schools White Paper, this conference will help school leaders navigate rising SEND needs, pressures on specialist placements, and Ofsted changes, providing practical strategies to ensure every learner can thrive. Learn more here.
National Network of Special Schools (for School Business Professionals) Conference: The only conference of its kind in the country, and a rare opportunity to come together while the national conversation on SEND reform is still unfolding. Learn more here.
The Education Business Conference 2026: In collaboration with the Department for Education, this conference is grounded in the Maximising Value for Pupils programme, which focuses on using resources, people, and assets as effectively as possible to support the best possible outcomes for pupils. We’ll explore how strategic thinking and robust operational practice translate into real-world impact. Learn more here.