"Life has two rules: 

Rule Number One: never quit!

Rule Number Two: always remember rule number one!"

Duke Ellington

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

So many people have told me over the years that we can't have EVERY SCHOOL A GREAT SCHOOL. Personally, after my experiences over the years and recently in Sheffield, Nottingham and Lincoln, I simply don't believe the siren voices that say it can't be done.

HAPPY LAST SUNDAY OF 2012!

and whatever you do...

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS... WHATEVER IT TAKES!

Just in case you were wondering, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow isn't going to help us out! No-one will be offering increased public expenditure over the next decade and the era of plenty that we experienced is over. But that doesn't mean we can't transform outcomes and release the magic!

BRILLIANT, EXCEPTIONAL AND DIFFERENT!

Another term, another Christmas and another brilliant year!

BE PASSIONATE!

Another year spent with great leaders and great colleagues in some amazing schools reminds you about the importance of leadership. Great leaders are great learners… by constantly questioning and asking why. Great leaders are great performers… by being confident and energetic. Great leaders are great storytellers… by bringing strategies and policies alive. Great leaders accept responsibility… for decisions and outcomes and focus on what really matters. And above all, great leaders are passionate.
Be passionate!
Chris

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO SHARE THIS CHRISTMAS!

A friend sent me this and I wanted to share it with you at Christmas because it reminds us all that we should 'never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion'.

A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE!

Another Christmas and for me 2012 has been another great year with more successes, more surprises, more brilliant stories, more shared adventures and, unlike a Puccini opera, no really sad ending!

WHO AM I TO BE BRILLIANT, GORGEOUS, HANDSOME, TALENTED AND FABULOUS?

THIS CHRISTMAS, REMEMBER...
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,

gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?

STRESS MATTERS!

“I never teach my pupils. I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn.”

Albert Einstein

THIS CHRISTMAS, EAT CHOCOLATE!

Chocolate is made from the seeds of the tropical cacao tree. The Greek term means literally "food of the gods". Cacao beans were used by the Aztecs to prepare a hot, frothy drink with stimulant and restorative properties. Chocolate itself was reserved for warriors, nobility and priests because the Aztecs valued its ability to confer wisdom and vitality.

GREAT SCHOOLS FOR EVERYONE!

I have been arguing for ever that we must create great schools at the heart of every community so that everyone can have what people have told me is simply a dream; great outcomes for every child and young person...

... but, I really believe that it is possible to create GREAT SCHOOLS FOR EVERYONE!

NOT SOME SCHOOLS, EVERY SCHOOL A GREAT SCHOOL!

The challenge we face is to ensure that every school in every community strives and struggles to become a great school; not just the Free Schools, not just the Academies, but every school must become a great school delivering brilliant outcomes, learning from what works, wherever it is, and being uncompromising in the relentless pursuit of excellence! 

PASSIONATE LEADERSHIP!

We need to develop passionate learning leadership throughout the system starting from the premise that everyone is a learner, including students, teachers, headteachers, the school as a community, the wider educational system and the community the school serves.

PASSION MATTERS!

Education is a passionate enterprise built on the interaction between human beings: teachers, students and parents.

HOW TO LIVE LONG AND PROSPER: BE PERSISTENT, DETERMINED AND WORK HARD!

As another Christmas comes, and another year has flown by, it's important to remember that research suggests that we can change and become happier and healthier just by taking small steps which can change our lives for the better. So remember, in your New Year resolutions, that we need to be persistent, disciplined and work hard for as long as we possibly can. We need to stay connected with friends and colleagues. And we need to volunteer and give to others whenever and whatever we can.

CENTRE FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION AT SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY!

I visited Sheffield again yesterday to meet Denise Eaton, Project Manager at the Centre for Science Education. The Centre supports an incredible range of activities including primary and secondary professional development programmes and we were discussing how Denise and her colleagues can support the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Ambassadors Programme.

BRILLIANT ICE SCULPTURES!

Amazing display of ice sculptures in the City of York today!

HAPPY SUNDAY!

To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower.

Hold infinity in the palms of your hand and eternity in an hour. 

William Blake

WHAT WORKS AND IMPORTANTLY WHAT DOESN'T!

This is important stuff since we spend so much time doing things that have little impact on learning and student outcomes. We need to be constantly reviewing what we do and asking ourselves questions about what works!

THERE ARE NO SUPER-HEROES!

In a world where OFSTED strikes fear into the hearts of headteachers and teachers it is important to remember that the current short-term, quick fix interventionist approach led by super-heroes might have it's appeal but it doesn't work.

The Children's University

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

The Children's University!

I am going to the national Children's University's fifth annual conference at Shrigley Hall Hotel in Cheshire.

REMEMBER!

"Man is not the creature of circumstances.

Circumstances are the creatures of men."

Benjamin Disraeli

HAPPY SUNDAY!

"That man is richest whose pleasures are the cheapest."

Henry David Thoreau

TEACHING MATTERS BUT LEARNING COUNTS!

Interestingly, John Hattie's research suggests that only 30% of what makes a difference is in the hands of teachers.

ALWAYS REMEMBER, IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES!

"My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be expected but fought, that honour is to be earned, not bought."

Margaret Chase Smith

THE ANSWER IS "DOLLOPS OF FEEDBACK"!

It's sad that so few colleagues, leaders, managers and politicians simply don't get it.

AESSEAL

I spent the afternoon at AESSEAL where colleagues from B&E South Yorkshire were delivering the latest element of the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Ambassadors programme.

Risk... 

..more than others think is safe. 

Care... 

..more than others think is wise. 

Dream... 

..more than others think is practical. 

Expect.. 

..more than others think is possible. 

Cadet Maxim

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 2012.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

"In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves

beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists." 

Eric Hoffer 

I constantly ask myself what is it that makes a school. a council or any organisation a brilliant learning place and what can we learn from what talented colleagues are doing in schools, councils and organisations across the country and across the world.

BRILLIANT COLLEAGUES!

I was in Leeds this lunchtime to meet up with some wonderful old friends and brilliant colleagues. It's strange after two years that I still miss these incredible people, with whom I spent an amazing ten years of my life. They reminded me what we achieved together; the importance of distributed leadership, trust, respect and empowering people to get on and do whatever it takes.

ONE MAGIC DAY!

I have had many magic days in my life... days when everything goes brilliantly and I have also spent the last twenty years wrestling with how we create great schools for every child, every young person and every community. Personally, I passionately believe that the answers lie in understanding what works and developing cooperative, collaborative, creative learning teams built on learning leadership, beautiful systems, deep research, intelligent accountability and the importance of discipline and character.

WE LEARN WHAT WE LIVE!

I was reading that wonderful piece 'A Child Learns What They Live' by Dorothy Law Nolte and the OFSTED Annual Report last night. I think OFSTED should reflect on those words of wisdom and recognise that they apply equally to little learners, big learners, children, parents and carers and should help us think through what we mean by brilliant learning places. This is my revised version for everyone feeling criticised, unloved and uncared for...

We Learn What We Live

(With apologies to Dorothy Law Nolte)

INDUCTION DAY!

Yesterday, I attended the Induction Day at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield for the Cutlers' Ambassadors who are working with the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

A REMINDER IN HARD TIMES!

"My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought, that smears are not only to be expected but fought, that honour is to be earned, not bought."

Margaret Chase Smith

THE 80:20 RULE!

The Pareto Principle is the origin of the 80:20 Rule. In 1906, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto created a mathematical formula to describe the unequal distribution of wealth in his country, observing that twenty percent of the people owned eighty percent of the wealth. In the late 1940s, Dr. Joseph M. Juran attributed the 80/20 Rule to Pareto, calling it Pareto's Principle.

TEN KEYS TO BRILLIANT!

We all know the ten keys to brilliant: people, leadership, teamwork, attitude, trust, determination, commitment, partnership, ownership and engagement. 

THERE IS ANOTHER WAY: DO THINGS TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SPECIAL!

"Think, reflect, research, analyse and learn.

Be visible, accessible and available; 

Walk the talk and constantly connect with colleagues;

Tell stories; celebrate, praise and challenge;

Teach, coach and model behaviours you want to see;

Get a life... live, love and regularly escape;

Do things to make people feel special."

INTERESTING READING! The Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills

I was reading 'The Annual Report of Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills' today. "As things stand, the overall picture across Ofsted’s inspection remits is that broadly 70% of providers are good or better." I was also reading an OECD report that said that education in the UK was second best in Europe after Finland and a Pearson's report which said that education in the UK was sixth best in the world! So lots to shout about here then...

LEADING THE WAY! The Cutlers' Education Committee!

I was in Sheffield again yesterday meeting with the Cutlers' Education Committee to look at how we continue to develop the work we have been doing with Bradfield School, Firth Park Community Arts College, Stocksbriodge High School and Yewlands Technology College.

COOPERATIVE LEARNING!

I read this wonderful piece on my colleague Roel Rohner's Dalton page blog and it reminded me that all great learning is cooperative and collaborative where learners work together sharing ideas and thought you might like to read it. "Cooperative learning is a generic term for various small group interactive instructional procedures.'

PASSION MATTERS!

Watch this great Ken Robinson session and you'll understand why passion is one of the keys to success...

SUCCESS, LIKE EVERYTHING GOOD IN LIFE, IS ALL ABOUT HARD WORK!

"Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

Thomas Edison

CBI FIRST STEPS!

“Getting the next generation on the escalator to achieve their potential is one of the most exciting challenges we face. Businesses have traditionally focused on education at 14 plus, but it’s clear we need to tackle problems earlier, instead of applying a sticking plaster later on. 

“We have some great teachers and average grades are rising, but we’ve been kidding ourselves about overall standards. By teaching to the test, too many young people’s individual needs are not being met, and they are being failed by the system.

“Government reforms are heading in the right direction, but are not sufficient on their own and must go further and faster. As well as academic rigour, we need schools to produce rounded and grounded young people who have the skills and behaviours that businesses want.”

John Cridland, CBI Director-General

KEY COMPETENCIES MATTER!

We need to work harder to get young people interested in mathematics and science because it is a strong determinant of their career choice in STEM- related fields. The European Commission's Eurydice Report "Developing Key Competencies at School in Europe' makes interesting reading.

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS!

Colleagues constantly ask me to write my story and since leaving Leeds I have been working on 'The Keys to Success'. If you are interested here's another page...

"Not everything that can be counted counts,

and not everything that counts can be counted."

Albert Einstein

NEWBURGH ENGINEERING!

Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at Newburgh Engineering where colleagues from the company were delivering the latest element of the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Ambassadors programme. 

IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE: Delivering outstanding outcomes and building brilliant teams.

After nearly forty years working in and with schools I know how to deliver outstanding outcomes and build brilliant teams... and it's not rocket science!

HAPPY SUNDAY: “For what it’s worth: it’s never too late!"

OUTCOMES MATTER!

"For if knowledge and skills are the global currency of the 21st century,

countries will do well to stock up on their reserves."

CANON LEE SCHOOL

I was at Canon Lee Specialist Arts College in York last night for my first meeting as a governor!

HILLSBOROUGH COLLEGE

I was at Hillsborough College yesterday to meet with Richard Deane and Heather Smith who are both passionate advocates of project-based learning and working with us to develop the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Programme. 

MADE IN SHEFFIELD!

I had another great session yesterday at Bradfield School in Sheffield with colleagues from the four schools who are working together on the Cutlers 'Made in Sheffield' Project!

SINGING IS THE GREATEST!

I was in Nottingham yesterday and I visited William Booth Primary School to listen to their brilliant new school choir and after eight short weeks they performed for parents and guests a selection of songs including Adele, Jessie J and this one from R Kelly.

"I am a giant

I am an eagle

I am a lion

Down in the jungle

I am a marchin' band

I am the people

I am a helpin' hand

And I am a hero

If anybody asks u who I am

Just stand up tall look 'em in the Face and say

------------

I'm that star up in the sky

I'm that mountain peak up high

I made it

I'm the worlds greatest

And I'm that little bit of hope

When my backs against the ropes

I can feel it

I'm the worlds greatest"

FOUR SMALL STEPS TO EXTRAORDINARY!

It's worrying that organisations like the BBC, the police, News International, the NHS and our politicians are all struggling with issues around confidence, trust, communication and blame. We know that the Keys to Success focus on leadership, beautiful systems and intelligent accountability but researchers also say there are four steps schools, hospitals, care homes, companies and organisations can take to help colleagues thrive!

KINDNESS MATTERS!

"Your greatness is measured by your kindness;

your education and intellect by your modesty;

your ignorance is betrayed by your suspicions and prejudices,

and your real caliber is measured by the consideration and tolerance you have for others.

William J.H. Boetcker 

I don't know if you are aware but it's 'World Kindness Week' this week and tomorrow is 'World Kindness Day'.

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS!

Colleagues constantly ask me to write my story and since leaving Leeds I have been working on 'The Keys to Success'. If you are interested here's another page...

HAPPY MONDAY!

Hope you have had a great weekend..

..whatever the weather!

TRUE HAPPINESS!

"Many persons have the wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. 

It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."

Helen Keller

The Cutlers’ “Made in Sheffield’ Programme!

The Cutlers’ “Made in Sheffield’ Programme now involves six schools. These schools are Bradfield School, Firth Park Community College, Forge Valley Community School, Meadowhead School and Languages College, Stocksbridge High School and Yewlands Technology College.

"There are seasons.. of inward and outward revolution, when new depths seem to be broken up in the soul, when new wants are unfolded in the multitudes, and a new and undefined good is thirsted for. These are the periods when... to dare is the highest wisdom."

William Ellery Channing

THE KEYS TO SUCCESS!

Over the last fifteen years I worked in two very different authorities in the UK, learning about how you build the foundations for truly outstanding education and learning. Colleagues constantly ask me to write my story and since leaving Leeds I have been working on 'The Keys to Success'. 

SKILLS MATTER!

The national and international research very clearly identifies that we need to re-engineer and re-imagine the curriculum in schools to meet the needs of employers and a rapidly changing world.

SIMPLY BRILLIANT!

We all know, that the quality of the teaching and learning team lies at the heart of brilliant learning.

HAPPY SUNDAY!

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin -real life.

But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first,

some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin.

At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

Alfred D'Souza

FIVE STEPS TO BRILLIANT!

A recent Hay Group study found that nearly 60% of people were seriously considering leaving or actively looking for new jobs. Worse still, a further 35% said they were only holding off because there weren't any jobs to go to! That doesn't leave many of us inspired and passionate about what we do! So how do we cope in such uncertain times?

CUTLERS' "MADE IN SHEFFIELD" AMBASSADORS AT LIFEWISE!

I had a great day today, at the Lifewise Centre just off the M18, working with the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Ambassadors on the second day of their training programme.

THE FORGOTTEN HALF!

In their report ‘The Forgotten Half’ for the Private Equity Foundation, DEMOS addresses the same fundamental issues facing Sheffield and most big cities across the country and across the world. The report suggests how we can produce a capabilities approach to education.