Choosing Optimism Part Two

Sean Harris, Director of People, Learning and Community Engagement (Tees Valley Education); author and researcher.

Education leaders, and colleagues from across sectors, face immense challenges. This is especially so for those leaders and educators that serve in areas of severe hardship and that face multiple inequalities. 

For example, recent figures from the Trussell Trust (September 2025) reveal the scale of food hardship in communities. 14.1 million people in the UK experienced food insecurity recently, that’s about one in six households.

Over 6.5 million turned to charitable food providers. And these are the families that we know about. Schools and charities, as during the global COVID-19 pandemic, continue to provide food banks, clothing swaps, and breakfast clubs. Being a leader in this ecosystem is complex and it can feel that no end is yet in sight.

But, as leaders and thinkers, we are choosing to maintain optimism.

Around the UK, many educators and leaders continue to make an impact.

It can be hard to see this amidst the work still to do.

Like Patrick, I am encouraged by leaders choosing to imagine a different reality for communities. Amidst the negative culture facing young men and women growing up, I’m still seeing examples of innovations in schools turning the tide. For example, like the work of the schools I serve in the Tees Valley. Through our Classroom to Careers programme, we are seeing more boys (and girls!) inspired by hyperlocal careers and through meaningful interactions with adults leading industry and careers on their own doorsteps. It is proving that it takes a village (and local industry!) to help raise a child.

Shape the System

Through active involvement in the #HeForShe movement, Patrick and I made a commitment to a growing number of individuals and organisations that believe that men have a vital role in supporting system change alongside all other colleagues.

HeForShe is an invitation for men and people of all genders to stand in solidarity with women to create a bold, visible and united force for gender equality.

The men of HeForShe aren't on the sidelines. They're working with women and with each other to build businesses, raise families, and give back to their communities.

Sean and Children at Tees Valley Education working alongside AV Dawson, Port of Middlesbrough in the Tees Valley

It is important to champion events like International Men’s Day. They remind us to reflect on what is working and that change makers exist amongst us! It can inspire us to turn the dial from focusing on what is wrong to what can be possible. But it also reminds us that system change is both needed and it is possible.

One of the ways in which I play an active part in this movement is by encouraging more equitable use of language. Dropping phrases and calling out phrases like ‘grow a set’, or examples of toxic masculinity, especially in education. I also champion organisations such as the Power of Women who work with young women across Teesside.

The Power of Women campaign was founded by dedicated business leaders in the North East, spearheaded by the late Professor Jane Turner OBE DL. Driven by Plan UK’s report identifying Middlesbrough as the ‘Worst Place to Grow Up a Girl,’ their mission is to empower young people in the Tees Valley and beyond, ensuring a brighter future for all.

No Egos (especially male ones!)

Education is about being a public servant. It involves being a servant to the communities that we work within and alongside. When ego takes over, it can too easily become about our own individual agendas as leaders in any organisation.

Too often we’ve seen examples of leaders, especially male ones, lead in a way which services their own agenda and mission, rather than that of service to others.

This International Men’s Day, we are reminded of the value of collective and collaborative agency. It isn’t about highlighting the profile or persona of any man, but about the ways in which men can collectively work alongside others to enact a better and more equitable world. As leaders, especially in education, we are civic architects. We have a moral imperative. As men, we have a male imperative – to make sure that the world we work within and alongside is a better one for all.

We need more male leaders with credibility to step into the HeForShe space; to challenge themselves to become more comfortable feeling uncomfortable as advocates and allies for women in education One of the ways I do this is by making sure that my ecosystem is filled with gracious disruptors. Those leaders and individuals who dare to challenge and shape a system for others.

Recently, I had the privilege of co-authoring Tackling Poverty and Disadvantage in Schools; a practical book aimed at educators on disrupting cycles of inequality in the communities that we serve. What I absolutely did not want was a solo artist book filled with my insights and ideas.

There’s a proverb that says, ‘as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another’. This was true in the book.

It’s filled with contributions from co-authors who, like me, care about issues of inequality and were willing to share best practice, insights and examples of how to address it. We also waived all royalties from the book and instead made sure these go to supporting low-income families and pupils through our work at Tees Valley Education.

Sean with co-author Katrina Morley OBE

We’ve found it useful over the years to have an MOT test from others (Mission, Opportunity and Transparency) test. So, three questions to offer you.

1. What’s your mission and who else is part of it?
2. How are you giving opportunity to others?
3. How transparent are you about your privilege and power?

Thanks for reading.

If you’re up for a coffee with us or the WomenEd movement to talk about these topics, then please reach out and be part of the conversation with us.