Boys, belonging and the North East: Why regional action matters now
In the North East, we know that one of the most persistent and complex challenges facing education is the outcomes of boys and young men experiencing disadvantage.
For years, schools across our region have been facing serious challenges around attendance, attainment, exclusion, engagement and post-16 progression, particularly amongst boys eligible for Free School Meals (FSM). While national conversations around disadvantage often fluctuate with political priorities, the reality for many schools in our communities has remained consistent for decades.
That’s precisely why Schools North East has been working with Boys’ Impact, a UK-wide network of educators, researchers and practitioners committed to taking an evidence-based approach to improving outcomes for boys and young men experiencing disadvantage.
However, what is becoming increasingly clear is that these outcomes cannot simply be understood through data alone. Questions around identity, belonging, masculinity, aspiration, mental health and relationships are playing a progressively significant role in the experiences of many young men.
Recent public debate has brought renewed attention to these issues, and rightly so. From documentaries exploring the growing influence of online misogyny and harmful influencers on boys, to wider national discussion around masculinity, schools are increasingly being asked to navigate difficult and nuanced conversations with young people.
At the same time, educational leaders continue to raise concerns about disengagement, emotional wellbeing and the widening gap in outcomes for some boys facing structural disadvantage.
Moving beyond headlines towards evidence-informed practice
Critically, this conversation is beginning to move beyond headlines and towards evidence-informed solutions.
One of the leading organisations in this space is indeed Boys’ Impact, founded by researcher and author Dr Alex Blower. Their work builds upon the influential Taking Boys Seriously research programme developed at Ulster University, which explored the educational experiences of young working-class men and developed a strengths-based, relational approach to supporting boys in education.
At the heart of this work is a recognition that many boys experiencing disadvantage do not need to be “fixed”, but rather understood, supported and engaged differently.
Since its formation in 2023, Boys’ Impact has coordinated activity across the UK, bringing together researchers, schools and practitioners to strengthen the evidence base surrounding effective practice. Their recent national research project explored educators’ perceptions of masculinity, mental health and relationships with boys in classrooms today.
Exploring the potential for a North East Boys’ Impact Hub
Against this rapidly evolving backdrop, Schools North East, Durham University and Newcastle University are now bringing together regional leaders from education, policy and research for a focused roundtable discussion exploring the potential development of a North East Boys’ Impact Hub.
Taking place at Durham University on Tuesday 9 June, the roundtable will explore whether there is a need for a more coordinated regional approach to improving outcomes for boys and young men experiencing disadvantage, and what practical collaboration could look like.
The unique session will examine key questions including:
- What are the issues actually impacting this cohort?
- What is already working across the region?
- Where are the gaps in current support and practice?
- What role could schools, universities and partners play?
- What would a North East Boys Impact Hub need to achieve to add real value?
Dr Alex Blower will join the discussion to share insights from existing regional hubs and the evidence underpinning this work.
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Why this matters now
In many ways, this conversation aligns closely with the North East’s own educational reality.
The government’s emerging Mission North East agenda, alongside renewed national focus on “white working-class” disadvantage, has created an opportunity for our region to shape a more coordinated and evidence-informed response. The recently-announced Schools White Paper explicitly recognises the need for place-based approaches to tackling entrenched disadvantage, something the Schools North East network has long advocated for.
In fact, we’ve already ramped up engagement around this work. Dr Alex Blower joined our Board discussions in late 2024 to explore both the research underpinning Boys’ Impact and the potential implications for schools across our region. Since then, conversations have continued with regional leaders, universities and partners about what a more connected North East response could look like.
Nationally, momentum around boys’ education is also continuing to grow. Former Schools Minister Peter Hyman is currently chairing a Commission on Boys’ Education, exploring many of the same questions around masculinity, engagement, belonging and educational outcomes. Jo Heaton, Schools North East Vice Chair, is among the commissioners contributing to this important work.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: “For too long, schools in the North East have been working to address some of the most entrenched patterns of disadvantage in the country, particularly amongst boys and young men, often without the recognition, coordination or support they deserve.
“This is not about lowering expectations or creating simplistic narratives around boys. It is about understanding the realities many young people are navigating, listening to the experiences of schools and communities, and creating evidence-informed approaches that genuinely improve outcomes.
“The North East has a real opportunity to lead this conversation nationally. We have exceptional schools, strong partnerships and a shared understanding of the challenges our communities face. If we can bring that collective expertise together in a meaningful way, there is significant potential to create lasting change for young people across our region.”
A regional conversation with national significance
Ultimately, this is not about importing solutions from elsewhere. It’s about creating space for the North East to define its own approach, rooted in the realities of our communities, schools and young people.
Real change will not come from headlines alone. It will come from sustained collaboration, evidence-informed practice and leaders willing to engage with complex issues openly and constructively.
If there is enough interest, this roundtable will help shape the next phase of this work, including potential governance, leadership and future activity across the region.
For schools, trusts and organisations committed to improving outcomes for boys and young men in the North East, this is an important opportunity to help shape that conversation from the beginning.