
Patron’s Dinner 2025
Grand Hotel, Gosforth Park
Join us for the fourteenth annual Patron’s Dinner, an evening dedicated to honoring the dedication and achievements of our region’s school community. Held in recognition of our Patron, Lord Puttnam of Queensgate, this exclusive event brings together 500 CEOs, Head Teachers, and Senior Leaders from Schools North East’s Partner Schools and Trusts for an evening of networking, celebration, and inspiration.
The theme for this year’s Patron’s Dinner, ‘Champions of the North East’, celebrates the remarkable individuals who have shaped our region’s history through innovation, leadership, and resilience. From industrial pioneers like George and Robert Stephenson to social reformers like Josephine Butler and cultural icons like Stan Laurel, the North East has always been home to visionaries who dared to challenge the status quo. Their legacy lives on in today’s school leaders, who are shaping the future through their dedication to education and young people. This evening is an opportunity to reflect on the past, recognise the impact of those in the present, and look ahead with optimism. We are delighted to welcome Dr Dan Jackson, author of The Northumbrians, who will share insights into the identity and achievements of this incredible region. Let us celebrate the champions of the past and the champions of today—our educators, who continue to drive progress and opportunity in the North East.
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Event Overview

Dr Dan Jackson
Author & Director of Policy and Stakeholder Affairs for NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board
Dan is the author of The Northumbrians: North East England and its People, A New History, which was a Sunday Times 'Book of the Year' in 2019.
He was educated at Astley High School in Seaton Delaval and holds a PhD in history from Northumbria University. He has written for the New Statesman, History Today and Unherd, and has appeared as an expert guest on the BBC’s ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’, Radio 4’s ‘Start the Week’ and 'The Rest is History' podcast.
After an 18-year career in local public services he is now a director in the North East regional NHS and was recently appointed as a trustee and vice-chair of Beamish Museum. He tweets as @northumbriana and is currently writing a social history of Newcastle United FC for Little, Brown.

Colin Lofthouse
CEO, SMART Multi Academy Trust
Following a career in archaeology after graduating from Sheffield University Colin trained as a primary teacher in 1997 at Newcastle University.
He began teaching at Chopwell Primary School, Gateshead before moving to be DHT and then AHT of Prudhoe West First School in Northumberland.
In 2008 he became headteacher at Throckley Primary School, Newcastle and led the school from special measures to outstanding status. After 6 years as Headteacher at Rickleton Primary School in Sunderland he is now the Chief Executive Officer for the Smart Multi Academy Trust, a group of 11 primary schools in the North West of Newcastle.
He has special interest in leadership support, looked after children and has been a SIP for many years. His research areas are coaching, lesson study and curriculum design on which he has co-authored books, papers and presented at conferences.
In his spare time he rock climbs, plays the piano and rides bikes (both with and without engines).

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.

Harry Rashid MCIPD
Head of HR (Commercial), NYES
After graduating with a 2:1 in Human Resources and obtaining an MSc in Management, Harry pursued HR Adviser and Senior HR Adviser roles with the NHS and South Tyneside Council before joining BT as an HR Business Partner. Following this, he held consultancy roles at Cummins Engineering and James Cook Hospital prior to joining NYC initially as a Senior HR Adviser, and then a Principal Adviser.
Harry has also owned a number of successful trading companies and currently owns a successful property development company. Harry support’s on commercial strategy across the NYES portfolio, alongside being the chair of trustees at the Legacy Learning Trust a growing Multi Academy Trust in Middlesbrough.
Accommodation
We have a special room rate available for our guests at the venue (Grand hotel, Gosforth park) which is £69 bed and breakfast per room per night (single occupancy).
To make a booking, please call the hotel sales office on 01912364111 option 2 during office hours or email groups760@theelitevenueselection.co.uk and quote *Schools NE Patron’s Dinner*
Please note that there are a limited number of rooms available at this rate and are confirmed by the hotel on a first come first serve basis.
Transports
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
On-site parking is available and free of charge, from 18:00, car registration will be switched off but if any guests are staying overnight or if you are arriving before 18:00, please input your car reg on the screen at reception. Failure to do so may result in a parking fine.
Arrival
Upon arrival, please check your name on the screens in the foyer and drinks reception room to find your assigned table. If you encounter any issues, kindly head to our help desk located in the foyer for assistance.
WIFI
OPEN WIFI –
Elite Venue WiFi or Grandstand Gosforth
(no passwords)
Taxi
If you would like to arrange a taxi for the night of the event, here are a few suggestions to help with your plans:
LA Taxi – 0191 287 7777
Blueline Taxi – 0191 262 6666
Five Star Taxis – 0191 222 0555