Twixtmas!

My colleague and friend Geoff Roberts sent me this important reminder as we approach 2012...

The future is what you make it!

"Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don’t and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it’d be easy, they just promised it would be worth it."

However you look at it 2011 has been a great year with successes, surprises,  brilliant stories and shared adventures!

Westfield Sports College!

I visited Westfield Sports College in Sheffield today

"There is nothing in life so difficult that it cannot be overcome. 

This faith can move mountains. It can change people. It can change the world."

Norman Vincent Peale

The 'A Team'!

Saw the 'A Team' yesterday for lunch.

SUCCESS!

We must work hard to make success commonplace. To see what works, what is successful and figure out what are the characteristics of success are so that we can make it commonplace, so that we recognise and celebrate success and continuously learn, network, co-operate and collaborate to improve and develop.

"Life is happening right now. So let's appreciate the beauty of today, because once its gone we can't get it back."

OFSTED GRADES ARE SIMPLISTIC AND DAMAGING! We need intelligent accountability driving a culture of excellence and improvement!

Children's University Annual Conference

I have just got back from the national Children's University's fourth annual conference at Shrigley Hall Hotel in Cheshire.

Leeds Schools Music Association's Christmas Festival Concert!

I finished the day yesterday at the Town Hall for the Leeds Schools Music Association's Christmas Festival Concert 2011.

"In times of change, learners will inherit the earth,

while the learned will find themselves beautifully equipped 

to deal with a world that no longer exists"

Eric Hoffer

Sheffield College!

I visited the Hillsborough site of Sheffield College today to talk to the College Leadership Team.

Silverdale School!

I visited Silverdale School in Sheffield this morning to see Chas Ponsford Deputy Headteacher.

"When you reach for the stars, 

you may not quite get them, 

but you won't come up with a handful of mud."

Leo Burnett

LINCOLN!

I visited Lincoln this weekend and what an amazing city it is!

BRILLIANT NEWS!

Brilliant news! The national Children's University won an award at the 'Directory of Social Change Awards 2011'. This brilliant initiative won the 'The Everyday Impact Award - New Enterprise'.

VISION MATTERS!

Vision sets the future direction for any organisation.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS!

We face an incredible opportunity to improve and develop provision in schools.

"Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by

the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do."
Mark Twain