“Human capital and education are the cornerstones upon which hinge the social, economic and cultural well-being of our society”

At the start of the academic year it is becoming increasingly obvious that things are going to get a lot more interesting...

Culture Counts!

Culture is 'the way we do things around here'.

The trains on the East coast line have had a horrendous day and it bodes well as I start another period of train travel in the morning. I am currently waiting at York station with four trains queuing up to go up to Newcastle stuck after an accident on the line between Doncaster and York. Late night for lots of travellers!
Chris

Start Now!

The important thing is to…

"The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible - and achieve it, generation after generation."
Pearl Buck

Sign Up!

We have to get people to sign up to the following courses:

"At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a partner, a child, a friend or a parent."
Barbara Bush

Not as Good as it Gets!

As a new school year starts I always think that the scary thing isn’t what we have achieved, but our potential to achieve so much more if only we can release the magic...

THE ARTS MATTER... PASS IT ON!

A chance to reflect, to review and to re-focus!

Whatever happens this will be another school year full of new beginnings and opportunities for growth and development… the challenges we face in education, learning and skills highlighted again by this years results at Key Stage 2, GCSE and A-Level mean that new opportunities, new contracts, and new challenges are out there for people who are prepared to roll up their sleeves, learn and work hard.

"To have enough is happiness, to have more than enough is harmful. That is true of all things, but especially of money."
Lao-Tzu

GCSE Results!

CONGRATULATIONS! It is another great day for young people, their families and their teachers as 650000 young people receive their GCSE results today and figures published by exam boards showed that around 70% of entries were awarded at least a C – the 23rd straight increase and up 0.8 percentage points on last year.

"I moaned because I had no shoes, 

until I met someone who had no feet."

Persian Proverb

Not Failure, just Feedback!

There is a great difference between failing to achieve a result and the conclusion you draw about yourself.

"When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before."

Jacob Riis

Learning to deal creatively with challenges, with setbacks and failure!

When we are dealing with the challenges we currently face and when the going gets tough we need to stay positive and stay focused on the things that matter, in our lives, our work, and in our relationships.

Great GCSE Results on the way!

Another year and we are promised more great GCSE results on Thursday from secondary schools across the country along with the associated cries about standards falling as more and more young people achieve A and A* grades.

Refocus and Re-imagine!

We must refocus/reimagine our education/learning systems to encourage growth/enterprise through a project based/competency driven approach! Who is already doing this and where? Let me know if there are projects happening anywhere which develop these ideas.
Chris

"Life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take but the moments that take our breath away."

Anonymous

Learning!

It is strange returning to England after a long break in Amalfi where the temperature was between 30C and 35C! I know that the Italian economy has its problems and their political system isn't all it could be but whose is! The Italians whatever anyone says have got a lot of things right as well as their focus on the early years through the Reggio Emilia approach. They have faith, family and community at the heart of everything which creates a culture of enterprise and hard work within family run businesses and communities. We could learn a lot from their example!
Chris

IMPORTANT 'SNUFF'!

I love Sir Terry Pratchett's books and it has always been the highlight of the Autumn to get a copy of his latest book. It is brilliant therefore that despite Sir Terry's struggles with Alzheimer's, Snuff, the 39th Discworld novel, will be published on 13th October! The book is Sir Terry's fiftieth book!I can't wait!
Chris

"What have I learned in life?"

I have spent the last two glorious weeks in Amalfi and to escape from the trials and tribulations of the last year I have been reading everything and anything I could lay my hands on. I have re-read most of the fantastic Terry Pratchett novels along with thrillers and histories and real rubbish. I have also been reviewing some of the stuff I put on the blogs and I re-read this and wanted to share it again with the people I care about. Read it carefully because it's powerful stuff.

"What have I learned in life? I've learned that...

"Do what you can,

with what you have,

where you are."

Theodore Roosevelt

Selfish Capitalism

I was re-reading a review of Oliver James book 'Selfish Capitalism'.

"A problem is a goal that has manifested in your life, except you don't remember asking for it. A handicap is simply an asset you haven't figured out how to use yet."

Roberta Bryant

"If you are called to be a street sweeper, 

you should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, 

or Beethoven composed music, 

or Shakespeare wrote poetry."

Martin Luther King

Six steps to help your children... the amended version!

My slightly edited version of what appeared in the papers over the last few days describing how to use an hour of your time with your child.

Wisdom!

"Wisdom seems  to be possessed by those leading the most simple lives."

Pam Brown

"The price of wisdom is above rubies..."

Old Testament

Take this quiz!

I saw this on the web and wanted to share it with you. "Take this quiz:

"I am the maker of my own fortune."

Tecumseh

A New Curriculum Framework!

It is deeply depressing that so many young people are simply drinking themselves to death and worrying that we seem unable to change people's behaviours. They simply won't stop smoking, won't lose weight, won't exercise, won't drive slower, won't put down their phones when they are driving.

"The world cares very little about
what a man or woman knows, 

it is what a man or woman
is able to do that counts."

Booker T Washington

Excellence Matters!

To build a world class learning landscape where we deliver academic and vocational excellence, we must develop character alongside functional skills.

"Our life is frittered away by detail....

Simplify. Simplify."

Henry Thoreau

Something to share with those you care about!

A friend sent me this and I wanted to share it with you.

The principle goal of education!

"The principle goal of education... should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things... men and women who are creative, inventive, and discoverers." Jean Piaget

Life is never ever dull, and the last term working in Nottingham and Sheffield has once again showed me the outstanding practice, the incredible young people, and the inspirational colleagues that exist in these amazing cities.

Back on line!

I am back on line after nearly a week without the internet! How did we survive without it?
Chris

Sorry for the breakdown in service but my Internet connection has failed and no response from BT until next week!!