A charity representing 1,500 schools in the North East has hit out at the government for a “lack of representation” in governing bodies.

In a letter to the Department of Education they describe an “urgent concern” about the lack of regional representation on key advisory bodies and Ofsted.

On the Department for Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Review Panel there is no representation of North East schools at all.

There are 94 members on the seven external reference groups set up by Ofsted and only two are North East schools – only one more than the States of Guernsey.

This comes while the region faces the highest eligibility for Free School Meals, this rose from 21 per cent in 2018/19 to 31.2 per cent in 2023/24.

The North East also leads the country with persistent absence and exclusion rates.

The schools in the region are also deteriorating and receive less capital funding than other regions.

“Yet despite these challenges, the North East’s school leaders continue to excel," said a Schools North East spokesperson.

“Noinety-two per cent of our schools are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, the second-highest in the country, and our schools consistently achieve the best results nationally for long-term disadvantaged students, outpacing even London.

“The expertise and resilience of North East educators in overcoming these significant barriers cannot be overstated.

“Their voices must be included in the national conversation to ensure that policies are shaped by those who truly understand the real-world impacts of policy decisions.

“Without this, we risk the continuation of ineffective, blanket policies - such as the National Tutoring Programme, which has had limited success in the North East precisely because of its lack of responsiveness to local contexts.

“It is equally troubling that the process for selecting members of these reference groups remains opaque. It gives the appearance that the same usual contributors are shaping policy, with little room for the input of those who have frontline experience in regions that face distinct challenges.

“Ensuring greater transparency in these processes will not only promote equity but will also guarantee that the voices from the North East—and other disadvantaged regions—are heard and that policies are more reflective of the diversity of our educational landscape.”

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A Department of Education spokesperson said: “We value the huge role schools across the North East make to our education system, and both the Education Secretary and the Schools Minister continue to be proud and vocal supporters of the region.

“The review panel members have been appointed to ensure the very best expertise available is balanced with the need for broad sector and demographic representation.

“Becky Francis and her team will be visiting all regions to get valuable insight from key stakeholders as part of a series of regional engagement events, and we are keen to encourage contributions to the recently launched call for evidence from every part of the country.”