The Answer!

In our political world where the answer to the challenges we face are Academies, Free Schools and super-heads we have even more people telling us that they know all the answers. However, those of us who have spent our lives on the front line know the real answers lie where they have always been.

Every school must have:

• strong, disciplined, focused and passionate leadership; 
• clear, shared vision, values and beliefs; 
• talented, energetic, enthusiastic and creative teaching teams; 
• empowered, trusted and disciplined colleagues; 
• brilliant teaching supported by strong assessment for learning; 
• stimulating, exciting and engaging curriculum pathways; 
• powerful, stimulating and interesting learning environments; 
• high self-esteem and high expectations of everyone; 
• strong, dynamic and meaningful coaching relationships; 
• high engagement and involvement of young people; 
• positive engagement and involvement of parents and carers. 

My answers to the challenges we face? Cut down on the meetings and trust and invest in all our schools as the front line of an attack on poverty, deprivation, worklessness and under-achievement.
Chris