RGS Newcastle is redefining what school partnerships can achieve. John Smith and Geoffrey Stanford share how their model connects 100+ state schools across the North East, reaching over 10,000 young people, tackling structural inequalities, and creating lasting impact. This conversation challenges assumptions, showing how collaboration — not charity — can strengthen education for everyone.

In 2019, Norham High School was in crisis: rated Inadequate twice, in Special Measures, facing a £2.2m deficit and serving one of the most deprived communities in England.

Education is entering another period of major change, the new Ofsted framework, curriculum review and the highly anticipated white paper are all putting schools under intense pressure. Amid the noise, one question keeps surfacing: how do we know what really works in classrooms — and who decides?

In this episode, we explore a North East pilot from Education Durham and WhatWorked Education that flips the evidence model on its head. Teachers led small, low-burden classroom trials to test what works for their pupils, in their own contexts.... without extra workload or external researchers.

You can read the full report here.

In this episode, James Connolly, Howden’s Head of AI & Advanced Analytics and soon-to-be Chief Data Officer for Reinsurance, cuts through the AI hype with practical lessons schools can use now. Drawing on policing and insurance, James shows how to spot patterns early, manage risk sensibly, and build a responsible data culture where technology supports people, not replaces them. We unpack emerging liabilities, hidden data flows, and ethical blind spots that can catch schools out; and set out simple steps to navigate them with confidence.

You’ll take away: how to ask the right questions about how you use AI; the basics of safe data governance; low-risk use cases that reduce workload; red-flag risks to escalate; and a realistic first 12-month outline plan for AI adoption.

In this special episode of the Schools North East Podcast, we take a step away from our usual conversations to bring you an inspiring keynote from one of the most influential figures in education – Les Walton CBE.

Access the slides he's referring to throughout the podcast, here.

As the founder of Schools North East, Les’s vision and determination helped create the UK’s first regional schools network. Over his remarkable career, he’s also shaped national education through his work with the Northern Education Trust, Northern Education Associates, and the Association of Education Advisers.

This week on the Schools North East Podcast, we meet Becky Jackson, Head Teacher of Cragside Primary School, to talk about what happens when creativity and compassion sit at the heart of leadership.

What does it really mean to lead in education today? In this episode, we speak with Nick Blackburn, MBE, CEO of Lingfield Education Trust and Chair of North East Wellbeing, about how true leadership goes far beyond the school gates.

Tune in to hear how leadership rooted in care can build a stronger, more connected future for every child.

For more information on 'Zone West', click here.

For more information on Schools North East, click here to visit our website.

School attendance is more than just numbers—it shapes children’s learning, wellbeing, and future opportunities. In this episode of the Schools North East Podcast, we sit down with Hilary Robinson, Attendance Lead at Nicholas Post Catholic Academy Trust, and Angela McCann, Head Teacher at Saint Alphonsus Catholic Primary School, to explore how they’re tackling attendance challenges head-on.

Around one in three children start reception not ‘school ready,’ impacting teachers, families, and long-term outcomes. In this episode, we explore what school readiness really means and why early years education and child development are so critical. 

Our guests (Anna Hughes, Head of Early Years, and Alex Armstrong, Head Teacher) from Bloemfontein Primary share how they’ve created a birth-to-11 strategy, opening a new nursery and providing year-round early years provision to support parents and carers. We discuss the importance of language, communication, and core life skills, as well as the role schools can play in closing the attainment gap, reducing social disadvantage, and helping every child thrive.

If you’re a school leader, an early years professional, or simply someone who cares about the future of our youngest learners, this is a conversation not to be missed.

Find out more about Schools North East by visiting the website - click here.

In the final episode of the 2024/25 academic year, we’re joined by Nick Hurn OBE, who never planned to be a teacher—but 40 years later, he’s leaving a legacy across North East schools.

From bin man to CEO of the region’s largest Catholic trust, Nick shares the lessons, challenges, and stories that have defined his career—and what he believes our schools and system still urgently need. Expect straight-talking insights on funding, practical advice for future leaders, and a glimpse at what’s next for someone who doesn’t sit still.

Tune in to hear how unexpected paths can change lives—and how chance became a calling. Brew up, buckle in, and join us as we celebrate Nick’s extraordinary journey.

Click here to find out more from our sponsor, Howden.