Academies Conference 2026
Grand Hotel, Gosforth
Join Schools North East for the ninth annual Academies Conference, where trust leaders, academy heads, and educational professionals will come together to shape the future of education.
Annually, the Academies Conference welcomes around 250 senior leaders from academies and multi academy trusts from across the region and beyond to network and explore the unique challenges they face. The conference will include a mix of keynote speeches and practical sessions to allow you to stay up to date with how policies, practices and procedures impact your trusts or academies. The Academies Conference also provides an ideal opportunity for those in maintained schools to learn about the ins and outs of academisation.
The event also provides a fantastic opportunity for delegates to network with each other and to engage with provider organisations through our focussed exhibition.
Who Should Attend:
Whether you’re a Trust CEO, CFO, COO, Academy Head Teacher, or School Business Professional, the programme offers tailored sessions to meet your needs. The event is designed for leaders from trusts, academies, and maintained schools, with content focused on both strategic planning and the operational management of your setting.
Notable Past Speakers:
Our previous speakers have included influential figures such as Bridget Phillipson MP, now Secretary of State for Education, Catherine McKinnell, now Schools Minister, former National Schools Commissioner, Sir David Carter, and Ofsted’s National Director of Education, Lee Owston, among others.
Due to the ongoing Tyne Bridge works, queues at the Tyne tunnel may take longer than expected.
Bookings open soon..Event Overview
Chris Zarraga
Director, Schools North East
Chris has been part of the Schools North East team since its inception in 2007 and in 2019 he was appointed Director.
Chris works with other leaders across the North East, the education sector and charity sector to represent the voice of North East schools, and lobby policy makers to ensure that the North East is not left behind when it comes to education policy. Chris has overseen the launch of the Ednorth evidence-based excellence programme, as well as the partnership with SHINE bringing over £500,000 worth of funding to North East schools.
Under Chris, Schools North East has moved to a greater focus on lobbying around education policy, with the launch of the Manifesto for North East Education in December 2019. As well as being a trustee of a local MAT, Chris sits on various boards including the board for Opportunity North East. Prior to joining Schools North East, Chris worked with over 165 schools in the North East and various education organisations including local authorities, Excellence Partnerships, 14-19 Groups, the Specialist Schools & Academies Trust, and School Improvement Officers. He led a large scale culture change project in education across the North East and was the development consultant for the LEGI funded Wansbeck Enterprise Education Network.
Public transport
Newcastle Racecourse bus station is located a 3 minutes walk from the venue.
Arriva Buses 43,44 & 45 and Go North East bus 116 stop there
The nearest metro station is Regent Centre, Buses 43, 44 & 45 leave from the station to the Newcastle Racecourse stop outside the venue
Parking
Parking is available on site and is free to hotel guests and Academies Conference attendees
You MUST input your car registration number at one of the screens either at the hotel main reception desk or at the event registration desks. Failure to do so may result in a parking fine
Arrival
Please head to the conference foyer and register your arrival at the registration desk
WIFI
Elite Venue WiFi
OR
Grandstand Gosforth Free WiFi
(no passwords)
Academies Conference 2025
Event Date: 23 January 2025
Location: Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park, Newcastle
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