SCHOOLS NorthEast Summit sets ‘Big Questions’ for region’s schools

More than 400 school leaders from across the North East will gather at St James Park, Newcastle on Friday (10 October) for the annual SCHOOLS NorthEast Summit – this year themed as the ‘Big Questions’ Summit.

In a keynote speech, ‘Social mobility Tsar’, Alan Milburn will attempt to answer whether schools can make England fairer. Earlier this week, in new research from the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission, Milburn warned of 60,000 children being failed by poor schools, stating:

“This research has unearthed a new and shocking gap in performance between similar schools serving similar communities with similar intakes of poorer pupils.

“But some schools are proving that deprivation needn’t be destiny. They have cracked the code on how to improve social mobility by helping disadvantaged children to excel in education. If some schools can do it, there is no excuse for others not to.”

In her first speech, the new Regional Schools Commissioner for the North, Jan Renou will explore the big questions facing North East schools alongside Ofsted’s Nick Hudson and NE LEP Vice-Chair, Andrew Hodgson.

A lively panel, Chaired by TES’ Ed Dorrell, will attempt to answer what the political parties should include in their manifestos on education for the 2015 election. And throughout the day Head Teachers will be challenged to come up with their own One Minute Manifesto ideas.

Other sessions will tackle the region’s looming leadership crisis in schools, improving outcomes for disadvantaged pupils and how schools can form effective partnerships.  The Summit also calls on the region’s school leaders to share the good practice they have developed in their schools as inspiration to others.

There will also be an exhibition of more than 60 stands; showcasing services, charities and research all aimed at schools and an Ask the Expert Zone where delegates can find some answers to tricky questions in their schools.

SCHOOLS NorthEast Chair, David Pearmain said:

“Our annual Summit is growing in influence each year, bringing together local and national education leaders to try to explore solutions to the region’s education concerns.

“North East schools have much to be proud of, but there are big questions we need to face such as how we help improve the social mobility and life chances of all our pupils.

“The success of the SCHOOLS NorthEast Summit demonstrates the appetite amongst school leaders to work together, support each other and use our collective efforts to identify answers to the important educational questions for our region.”

For the fifth year, award winning Newcastle based law firm, Muckle LLP are the main sponsor of the Summit. Managing Partner, Stephen McNicol, said:

“Schools have an enormous part to play in the continued success of our region and being able to support education in the North East is central to our values as a local law firm.”

Find us at the Summit at stand 40 where Justin and Tony will be happy to help.

If you are not attending but would like to know more about how we can help your organisation please contact Tony McPhillips on 0191 211 7908.