Looking ahead with steady hands: Welcome to 2026
As schools reopen this January, there is a renewed sense of focus across the North East education community. While the pressures facing schools remain real, the start of a new year also brings an opportunity to reconnect with purpose, reflect on what has been achieved, and look ahead with clarity and confidence.
Across our region, school and trust leaders continue to demonstrate professionalism, care and determination, providing stability for pupils and staff while holding onto ambitious futures for the children and young people they serve.
A challenging context and a resilient sector
As we already know, the Autumn Budget at the end of last year offered limited reassurance for education. At a time when pupil needs are increasing, local services are under sustained strain, and school finances remain tight, many leaders were hoping for clearer direction and greater investment.
Yet, as has so often been the case, our schools have continued to respond with resilience and creativity. Leaders across the North East are navigating these pressures with calm judgement, ensuring that children’s learning, wellbeing and safety remain at the centre of decision-making.
Learning from lived experience in our schools
In recent months, Schools North East shared a series of case studies from school and trust leaders across the region. These accounts highlighted the realities schools are managing every day: rising SEND needs, safeguarding pressures, and increasing expectations to support families as other services struggle to meet demand.
Leaders also spoke openly about financial pressures, including rising costs and unfunded pay awards, and the difficult choices required to keep schools sustainable. While these challenges are significant, the case studies also revealed something powerful: a sector grounded in realism, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to children and communities. And that is just one of the reasons that make the North East is such a remarkable place.
Looking ahead with steady hands and bold ambition
The year ahead will undoubtedly bring further challenges, but it will also highlight — once again — the skill, ingenuity and leadership that exists within our schools and trusts. As we begin 2026, there is reason for optimism: optimism grounded in collaboration, professionalism and a shared belief in the power of education to change lives.
Our next event is the Schools North East Academies Conference taking place on 29 January at The Grand Hotel Gosforth, with the timely theme Steady Hands, Bold Future: Collaboration, Community, and the Challenge of Inequality. We hope to see you there.
Welcome back to a new term and a new year. We look forward to working alongside you in the months ahead.