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Leadership Development Programme to Reduce Lost Learning

North East Combined Authority

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

12 Aug 2026 at 11:59

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

North East Combined Authority commissioned an education and training service to reduce lost learning in North East schools. The appointed provider is to design and deliver a leadership development model that helps school leaders take a more relational, whole-school approach to inclusion, attendance and behaviour. The intended impact is fewer unnecessary exclusions and fixed-term suspensions, alongside improved attendance for pupils affected by absence, exclusions, special educational needs and disabilities, and wider disadvantage. The work includes school-leader workshops, strategic implementation tools, sharing national best practice and appropriate use of technology. Delivery covers the North East of England, including the wider North East region. This is a public-sector education improvement and professional development requirement, rather than a general school staffing or construction service.

The procurement is complete and the contract has been awarded to The Difference Education Ltd, a London-based supplier. It was run as a direct award below the applicable threshold, without competition, for one lot. The award value is £85,000 gross, in pounds sterling. The award covers education and training services and the contract period runs from 1 September 2026 to 30 July 2027. The award was recorded on 12 August 2026, with signature scheduled for 1 September 2026. The evaluation route was therefore direct selection rather than a competitive assessment of tenders. The requirement is linked to the North East Combined Authority’s Education Improvement through Excellence programme, whose objective is to improve attendance and reduce lost learning in North East schools.

This requirement demonstrates demand for specialist education improvement providers able to work directly with school leaders on attendance, inclusion and behaviour. Credible competitors would need experience designing and delivering leadership development or professional learning for schools, with the ability to turn evidence and national best practice into practical whole-school tools. The work also calls for a relational approach to pupils experiencing difficulty attending school, and an understanding of exclusion, suspension, SEND and disadvantage in the North East. Useful capability includes facilitating workshops, supporting implementation, adapting provision to different schools, and using technology where it improves delivery. Smaller purpose-led education organisations may be well placed: the appointed supplier is an SME and a voluntary, community or social enterprise. Experience delivering measurable education improvement would strengthen a future offer.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Leadership Development Programme to Reduce Lost Learning

Notice Description

Children in the North East face significantly poorer educational outcomes simply because of where they grow up. In summer 2025, the North East had a 4% drop in the proportion of young people achieve A and A* grades which significantly impacts their future opportunities. It is the only region in England where these top grades have not surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Pupils are also less likely to achieve top GCSE grades: 17.8%, compared to 28.4% achieved in London. These grades are crucial to young people applying to competitive universities or apprenticeship places. Schools in our region are severely impacted by absence, exclusions and SEND. Last year, schools in the North East had the highest absence rate in England, with almost one in five pupils in the region severely absent (missing over 10% of classes). The region also has nearly a third of pupils eligible for free school meals (compared to a quarter nationally) and the highest rate of pupils with SEND in the country. Child poverty underlies many of these issues, with an excellent education the best hope for our young people to break the cycle. This proposal aims to provide a means for schools to take a more relational approach to children experiencing challenges in attending school, resulting in a reduction of unnecessary exclusions and fixed-term suspensions. Thus, helping the EiE Programme to meet its desired outcome of improving attendance levels in North East schools. The appointed provider will design and deliver a model for school leaders which develops practice and expertise to implement a whole-school approach to inclusion. The approach may include, but is not limited to: * School leader workshops * Provision of strategic tools to support implementation * Share national best practice * Use technology where appropriate

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e271
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076679-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80000000 - Education and training services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£85,000 Under £100K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
1 Sep 2026 - 30 Jul 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
North East Combined Authority
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Postcode
NE4 5BZ
Postcode Area
Newcastle upon Tyne
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC43 Tyneside
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Newcastle upon Tyne
Electoral Ward
Arthur's Hill
Westminster Constituency
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THE DIFFERENCE EDUCATION LTD

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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