Beyond quick fixes: a long-term investment in Hartlepool’s future

A major piece of a long-term plan for the town’s young people has fallen into place.

At the heart of this work is a belief in local leadership. Real change in Hartlepool won’t happen overnight, and it won’t happen by “parachuting in” for a few months.

Submission to Inquiry into White Working Class Educational Outcomes

SHINE and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership call for policymakers to focus on tackling persistent poverty and structural barriers to learning.

SHINE and Northern Powerhouse Partnership Press for fairer school funding

Partners make call to government ahead of Autumn Budget 2025

SHINE and the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) have urged the government to use the Autumn Budget 2025 to prioritise pupils facing long-term disadvantage. Their proposal calls for savings from declining pupil numbers to be redirected towards a targeted uplift of the Pupil Premium, alongside an extension of the policy to students aged 16-18.

SHINE is charity partner of BRILLIANT, the North's largest education festival

SHINE's CEO Fiona Spellman to lead a roundtable at the event

"With all the challenges currently facing schools, there’s never been a better time to share and collaborate on approaches that can better support learners."

SHINE joins forces with IntoUniversity and The Tutor Trust

Ground-breaking partnership sees three major charities working together in Hartlepool

Thanks to grants totalling £2.7m, SHINE is joining partner charities in a coordinated effort to tackle the attainment gap in Hartlepool. SHINE's project in the town, Hartlepool Reads, is involving 20 schools across the towns.

Progress is possible, change can happen

SHINE's CEO, Fiona Spellman, recently spoke at the Social Mobility Commission’s inaugural Social mobility symposium 2025 in Manchester. She discussed the role the third sector has to play in unlocking innovations which can address the biggest challenges we face.

An open letter to the Education Secretary

SHINE joins with partners to submit three proposals to tackle the disadvantage gap

"Government must be prepared to empower those closest to the issues with necessary tools to build an education system fit for the future."

Target funding for the persistently disadvantaged

Northern Powerhouse Education Consortium submits proposal to the government’s Spending Review

“By ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed, we create a more resilient, balanced, and sustainable economy, benefiting both individuals and the country as a whole.”