Ideas wanted for improving secondaries in the North East

The Department for Education (DfE) is asking teachers, school leaders and local authorities in the North East to come up with ideas to help children fulfil their potential in secondary school.

This is part of the Opportunity North East programme – launched last year by the Education Secretary Damian Hinds – which pledged up to £24 million to tackle issues holding back young people in the North East.

Despite Some of the best performing primary schools in the country, secondary school performance is below other regions; and the region has One of the highest proportions of young people not in education, employment or training after year 11. 

The best proposals will be granted up to £1.8 million for projects to help boost the prospects of young people across the North East – schools or local authorities interested in putting forward a proposal must submit an expression of interest by 24 June 2019.

Schools Minister Lord Agnew – chair of the Opportunity North East board – said:
"Nobody knows the children and young people in the North East like the teachers in schools across the region, so it’s absolutely crucial that we tap into their knowledge in a way that helps deliver long-term improvements in secondary schools.
"This expertise will help build on the work already underway as part of Opportunity North East – to ensure more people leave schools in the North East with the qualifications and skills they are capable of achieving."

The Department for Education will host an event at Shotton Hall Research School, Peterlee, on Wednesday 26 June to invite suggestions from local education leaders – and applicants have until 19 July 2019 to submit proposals.