Speakers

Catherine McKinnell MP

Shadow Minister , Education & Schools

Born in Denton, the third of eight children, Catherine’s roots in Newcastle are deep. She grew up in the West End of the city, attending Sacred Heart Comprehensive School in Fenham, and her family goes back generations in this area.
Catherine studied Politics and History at Edinburgh University and then Law at Northumbria University.
After graduating Catherine became an employment solicitor in Newcastle. She entered politics in 2010, being elected as the first female Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North.
Over the years, she has held various shadow ministerial positions, including Shadow Children’s Minister, Shadow Treasury Minister and Shadow Attorney General. After successfully retaining her MP seat in the 2015, 2017, and 2019 general elections she served as Chair of the Petitions Committee in Parliament. Catherine was most recently appointed Labour’s Shadow Schools Minister.
In addition to her parliamentary roles, Catherine has lead campaigns on various cross-party issues such as Apprenticeships, Investment in the East Coast Mainline, Support for the Armed Forces, International Development (CAFOD) and Against Antisemitism.
Catherine lives in her constituency with her husband, Rhys, their three children, and their adopted former service dog, AJ.

Lee Owston

National Director of Education, Ofsted

Lee, now National Director of Education, comes into the role with a wealth of experience, having previously filled the position temporarily for several months earlier this year. 

Since joining Ofsted in 2013 as one of His Majesty’s Inspectors, Lee has taken on various roles and made great contributions to many areas of the organisation and education sector, including early years, schools, teacher development and special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). 

Before joining Ofsted, Lee held senior leadership positions in schools, was Senior Adviser for early education and primary schools in a local authority and was Regional Director for The National Strategies, where he contributed to national publications on English, phonics and assessment.

John Roberts

Deputy News Editor, TES

John Roberts is an experienced education journalist having covered the sector for nearly 20 years.

He has been the deputy news editor at Tes since 2021 and before this was the website and magazine’s North of England reporter. During his time at Tes he has also been responsible for its coverage of education policy, Ofsted, academies and SEND.
Before working at Tes he was the education correspondent for the Yorkshire Post  and before this covered education for the Telegraph & Argus in Bradford.  He has also worked in a communications role in local government.

He has lived and worked in West Yorkshire for the past 20 years but grew up in the North East in Darlington. He is a father of two and a SEND parent.

Keep info on file for future events but this is specifically for NNoSS - he's rubbish at replying so keep on file somewhere

Louise Spellman

CEO, The 1590 Trust

Louise has been CEO of The 1590 Trust since its formation in July 2018 and is also Headteacher of Conyers School. A successful leader with 20 years senior leadership experience, Louise was awarded the Lord Glenamara Most Inspiring Headteacher Award for her work at Conyers School. She believes that excellence is achieved through collaboration and partnership and as such has chaired the Stockton Secondary Heads Group and is a member of the Stockton Strategic Education Board. An English teacher by background, Louise knows that improving literacy will improve the lives of children and young people.