John Smeaton Community College!

I started the day at John Smeaton Community College where John Daulby and Marilyn Steele have achieved something outstanding over the last five years.
Their shared leadership, passion, drive, determination and sheer hard work have made this school an incredible example of what is possible even in the most challenging contexts. Success isn't about Academies, executive headteachers or consultants but brilliant leadership driving a great team; leadership that makes it possible to take a failing inner city bog-standard comprehensive and create something extraordinary. Listening to John talk about his knowledge and understanding of his young people and the way he constantly challenges assumptions about what is possible makes you wonder why any school underachieves! Marilyn also gave me a quick tour of the building before I left and the calm purposeful learning climate wherever we went, along with their brilliant GCSE results this year, shows what can be achieved and the building five years on still looks fantastic!
Chris