North East Schools thrive at School Business Management Conference
Schools North East hosted their School Business Management Conference in Newcastle this week, with a whole host of amazing speakers and sessions taking place, all under the timely theme of how to thrive in a climate of change.
Over 220 school representatives attended our first physical SBM Conference since the Summer of 2019; 26 months and one global pandemic ago.
As Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, welcomed them to the event, stating ‘When I started writing this introduction, I very nearly copied and pasted ”It really is a pleasure to ‘see’ (even virtually) so many friends and colleagues join us once again” and then I remembered that today is very different from our last SBM conference and, indeed, all of our major events and network meetings over the last 19 or so months.”
He then went on to say that, despite the marvels of technology, there’s nothing quite like connecting with people face-to-face and that humour was one of the best weapons we have in times of challenge and struggle. ‘Shared laughter in particular gives us strength in adversity, helps us feel a bit more in control’, Chris added.
Louise Levy of Main Sponsor Education Mutual further highlighted the importance of wellbeing and why it’s crucial that we each look after ourselves, particularly during the challenging times schools are facing right now. Chris then continued to say that change can lead to stress and that, while change is a constant within the education sector, not all change is bad.
“In particular, one change has been nothing short of amazing. And that is the way in which young people, parents, and communities across the region and beyond, have recognised the vital role that you have all played throughout the pandemic; a role that will become even more vital as we move beyond it.
You have ensured that the most vulnerable students have been kept safe and fed during a global pandemic, helped to deliver a first class education to all students, stepped in to fill the vacuum left by other services at considerable risk to yourselves, and supported your communities in every way imaginable. You truly are the ‘4th emergency service’.”
Chris then went on to say that, while parts of the world seemed to stop due to Covid, education simply adapted, further highlighting the agile nature of those who work in schools, stating “Covid merely shone a spotlight on this that demonstrated without a doubt what vital national strategic infrastructure our schools really are and also just how much of that burden fell on SBMs, administrators, lunchtime supervisors, cleaners, and a host of other formerly unsung heroes in our schools.”
The message of how resilient Schools in the region have been is one that Schools North East has continued to push at every opportunity, utilising every communications channel at our disposal. Chris noted how the organisation has pressed the narrative that NE schools have been outstanding throughout the pandemic.
Chris addressed this further by adding: “Your amazing response to the crisis of a generation has seen you performing this vital, strategic role without which the NHS and other ‘key workers’ would not have been able to function.”
The efforts of schools have not gone unnoticed and Schools North East is privileged to relay and reinforce the narrative of this region in a more positive, accurate light, ensuring the media know just how important a part schools play before, during and after times of international crisis.
This effort also extended to the region’s MPs and the House of Commons, Ministers and the Department for Education. Schools North East’s connections with policy and decision makers did not stop because of the pandemic and we continued to campaign and lobby on behalf of those working in schools. Our regular ‘Stakeholder Briefings’, MP round tables, and round tables with key shadow Ministers, enabled our elected representatives to connect with schools throughout this vital time, helping them to challenge the Secretary of State and other School Ministers, raise questions in the House, and ensure that the story of our schools could be heard at the highest levels.
As well as being about looking forward and seeing how things can change for the better in their schools, attendees were also reminded that the event was an opportunity to celebrate their achievements so far. “So today is about ‘thriving in a climate of change’,” Chris added. “And I have no doubt you will thrive. In fact I’m sure you will do more than that. This has been the most difficult period in education in living memory and you have shown beyond any doubt that the region’s schools are capable of tackling any challenge no matter how serious; you have earned the whole-hearted trust and support of parents, young people, and communities; and you should reflect on that with great pride in what you have achieved.”
The School Business Management Conference was also a call to those on high to change things, in order for education in this region to thrive. Chris called on “Government and policymakers should also reflect on your achievements and place a new trust in what your schools can achieve when they are not ‘micro-managed’, but left to exercise their own considerable judgement on what is appropriate for their school communities. If Ministers and DfE do that, there is no doubt that you and the young people in your schools will thrive.” This highlights our call for more evidence-based policy to be implemented and for those who are working in schools to decide what works in schools.
The School Business Management Conference took place in St. James’ Park, now home to one of the richest football clubs in the world and it was never more clear than this week as to how rich the north east region is when it comes to passionate, hard-working, innovative, caring and resilient school workers.
Speakers at the Schools North East School Business Management Conference included:
Graham Vials (Ward Hadaway)
Catherine Kelsall (Department for Education)
Ben Hardy (Department for Education)
Rich Hurst (Durham County Council/OASES)
Liz Lord (MiSP, in association with Towergate Insurance)
Beth Alberga (EPM)
Jonathan Whittle (Tenet Education Services)
Stephen Mitchell (Oak Multi-Academy Trust and Keystone Knowledge)
Ruth Whiteside (Children’s Emotional Language and Thinking Ltd.)
Julie Collins (BWCET and ECS)
Lindsay Rosul (ECS)
Matthew Smith MBE (Sheringham Woodfields School)
Rebecca Lambton (iTCHYROBOT)
Tracey Gray (Education Mutual)
Grant Bilton (Wesleyan)
Stephen Tierney
Alex Green (Ashden, Let’s Go Zero Campaign)
Nicki Messer (All the Geese)