Schools North East – Policy Update – The View from the Region
Zoom
A school’s white paper including the announcement of Mission North East. A SEND consultation, a new Ofsted framework, a curriculum review, a children’s wellbeing and schools act, and more. The pace of national reform has rarely been higher. Cutting through it from a North East perspective – and making sure the region’s voice is in the room as it lands – is what Schools North East exists to do.
Join Ben Hardy, Policy Manager at Schools North East, for a regional briefing on where each of these reforms now stands, what we have said in response on behalf of you, our partner schools, and what to be ready for next term. We will also be joined by colleagues from the DfE with an update on Mission North East as well as giving you the opportunity to ask questions.
On the agenda:
- The schools white paper and SEND consultation: our collective response, the regional realities we have put on the table, and next steps
- Mission North East update
- What’s coming up in the next academic year
The webinar will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers.
For Partner School and Trusts: Head Teachers, CEOs, senior leaders, and SBPs.
Book your placeEvent Overview
Ben Hardy
Policy Manager, Schools North East
Ben returned to Schools North East in January 2026 as Policy Manager, leading on the organisation’s strategic policy and public affairs agenda. His work provides alignment between policy, research, stakeholder engagement, and member insight; ensuring the voice of North East schools is heard to influence decision-makers at the highest levels.
Ben brings a wealth of cross-sector experience to the role. He re-joins Schools North East following five years at the Department for Education, where he primarily led on stakeholder engagement working closely with the sector to ensure that strategy was developed with schools, trusts, and local authorities. He also served as Policy and Strategy Lead for the ‘Maximising Value for Pupils’ programme, which was launched to tackle systemic challenges at a national level.
Between 2019 and 2021, Ben was Relationship Manager at Schools North East, where he developed strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders across the region, including CEOs, CFOs, Head Teachers, School Business Professionals, local authorities, and other charitable organisations. Prior to this, Ben spent five years at The Key, supporting school and trust leaders nationwide. A committed advocate for the sector, Ben has been involved in school governance for over a decade and is currently Chair of Governors at a primary school in Newcastle.
How to join ?
- Once you have registered and the SNE events team have approved your place, you will be sent your confirmation email which contains your unique joining link from Zoom.
- If you have not received this, please check your spam/junk folder.
- If you are still struggling to find your join link, please contact us directly events@schoolsnortheast.com
Do I need to install Zoom?
- You can join the call without downloading Zoom by clicking ‘join from browser’ when you launch the call on the day of the event.
- If you are using the Zoom app from your laptop or PC, please ensure that you have the latest version installed prior to the event. Download & install here!
Can I ask the presenter questions?
- You can submit questions for the speaker when you register, using the Zoom registration form. The Zoom chat function will also be available during the call and questions can be submitted here. You will also have the chance to unmute and speak directly with the speaker during any allocated Q&A sessions.
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