Schools North East Policy Briefing
Newcastle upon Tyne & Middlesbrough
Sessions take place in Newcastle 08:00 – 10:00 (Crowne Plaza – Stephenson Quarter) and Middlesbrough 13:00 – 15:00 (Leonardo Hotel), with the same briefing delivered at both. Join us at whichever location works best for you.
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Join us for the first Schools North East Policy Briefing of the academic year, open exclusively to Partner Schools and Trusts.
Our Policy Briefings are an opportunity to make sense of the changing education landscape, understand what it means for North East schools and ensure the experiences of our region are part of the national conversation.
We’ll look ahead at the key policy and funding developments shaping the year, share what we’re hearing from schools across the network, and explore how Schools North East is using that insight to challenge, inform and influence on your behalf.
We’ll also explore our recent work around the structural divide and how we are building the evidence needed to ensure these differences are recognised by those making decisions. Crucially, that evidence starts with our schools.
These sessions are also about connection. Leaders from different phases, trusts and communities across the region will have dedicated time to exchange experiences, discuss what’s happening on the ground, and identify the shared challenges and opportunities.
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.
