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DfE announces £24m Opportunity North East programme

The Government has announced a £24m programme, Opportunity North East, to improve outcomes for children in the North East.

Schools North East Director Mike Parker was invited to attend a roundtable discussion with the Education Secretary Damian Hinds, alongside several school leaders from the region.

Schools will be aware that Schools North East has campaigned vociferously for the Department for Education to recognise the need for targeted investment in the region’s education system following its decision not to locate any of its flagship 12 Opportunity Areas in the region. We have met with DfE officials, influenced MPs and have been quoted many times in the print and broadcast media.

Launching Opportunity North East, the Secretary of State laid out five challenges he wants the initiative to address:

1. Transition from primary to secondary education.
2. Ensuring that pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds who are high performing in primary schools go on to achieve high outcomes at the end of secondary school.
3. Targeted support for 20-25 struggling secondary schools in the region.
4. More effective careers engagement to promote ambition and aspiration.
5. More progression to higher education.

The discussion on the day broadened out considerably beyond the five challenges and covered both within school settings around professional development, and recruitment/retention. It also focused on the factors outside of schools that have a profound impact on outcomes including the role of parents and other services.

In addition to school leaders and DfE representatives, other participants were drawn from further education and higher education, the private sector and local authorities.

What was clear from all who attended the meeting is that there is a willingness to work together in partnership which goes beyond the financial commitment from the Government.

A Board will be appointed, chaired by Lord Agnew, to take the initiative forward.

Schools North East will continue to work on behalf of all schools to support efforts to improve outcomes for pupils in this region.

Speaking at the tenth annual Schools North East Summit in Newcastle yesterday, Director Mike Parker said of Opportunity North East: “It is unique – the only regionwide initiative of its kind. It is £24m – But it’s much more than the funding; it will leverage in other projects; and, it has the potential to harness partnerships to better support schools.”

He called for all schools to get behind the programme, saying: “Is it a panacea? Only if we make it one. It won’t happen on its own.”

Schools North East was the first and the loudest voice to call for parity of opportunity in this region. Regulars at our events will be aware this has been pursued with great tenacity’.

Mr Parker said: “We also need you to support us to best represent you. This is an amazingly powerful, collective voice here in this room and we have a tremendous amount to bring to ensure this is a game changer.”