Published in The Journal on 14 July 2025, Les Walton CBE’s latest article offers a compelling call to action on tackling child poverty through education.
Les argues that the North East, with its proud history and resilient communities, is uniquely placed to lead a new kind of education reform, one that actively challenges the inequality at the heart of educational underachievement.
He emphasises that schools must be more than just places of learning:
- Recognising Poverty’s Impact – Raising standards cannot be achieved without addressing the conditions that disadvantage children from the outset.
- Building Regional Systems – Local networks must collaborate to challenge inequality, share expertise, and pool resources.
- Inclusive, Compassionate Leadership – School leaders and advisers should focus on reducing barriers, strengthening family partnerships, and creating supportive, trauma-aware environments.
“It is time to think fully about how we deliver education for children living with systemic poverty,” Les writes, urging policymakers and practitioners to place children’s dignity, hope, and wellbeing at the centre of decision-making.
This vision aligns with the AoEA’s ongoing work to raise the quality of education advice by embedding trust, empathy, and a deep understanding of the social context in which schools operate.
The full article can be read below, dated Monday, 14 July 2025.