At Schools North East, influencing education policy for the benefit of our schools is the heart of everything we do. Our amazing region LEADS NOT PLEADS, and we lead the campaign to improve conditions for North East schools, engaging with politicians, policymakers, and partners across the whole political spectrum.
We seek effective solutions to the challenges of the present and the future. Below is a non-exhaustive list of examples of our education policy influencing and campaigning work.
Free School Meal Auto Enrolment
Along with other organisations, we have written to government ministers, calling on them to introduce automatic enrolment for free school meals. Middlesbrough, and Durham, and Redcar and Cleveland local authorities have now introduced pilot schemes for FSM auto-enrolment.
- Joint Letter on Free School Meal Auto-Enrolment, March 2024
- Joint Letter on National Food Strategy and Free School Meals, February 2022
- Joint Letter on North East Schools and Pupil Premium Funding, June 2021
- Joint Letter on North East Schools and Pupil Premium Funding, March 2021
Roadmap to Reopening Schools
In February 2021, we published a ‘Roadmap to Reopening’, proposals for the steps required to allow schools to plan a safe return for all students and staff following the pandemic.
- Roadmap to Reopening, February 2021
- Statement on School Return Announcement, February 2021
- Schools North East Reaction to Education Recovery Package, February 2021
Depressurise Education System
We have written to ministers, calling on them to depressurise the education system and reduce workload for school staff.
- Letter to the Secretary of State on Depressurising the Education System, November 2021
- Letter to Secretary of State on Staff Wellbeing, November 2020
Voice of the Pupil
The Voice of the Pupil project was set up to develop a framework for engaging children and young people in discussions about mental health and wellbeing. The aim of the project was not only to represent the voice of the region’s children and young people, but to be of practical use to participating schools, by informing action that would positively affect better outcomes for students.
The project was developed and piloted between November 2017 and March 2019. The findings are unique, offering both a regional focus and based on the experiences of young people within school settings.
Opportunity North East
In 2018, we successfully lobbied for Opportunity North East, with £24 million funding announced for the region.
Gatsby Benchmark
In 2015, we supported with the roll out of the Gatsby Foundation Careers Benchmark pilot in the North East, creating £650,000 funding for schools in our region.
