CUTLERS' EDUCATION COMMITTEE

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

The recent McKinsey Report “Education to employment: Designing a system that works” highlights the fact that “the current education-to-employment systems lack what is required to support young people effectively. We cannot afford tomorrow’s approach to be more of the same. Einstein defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” We need a new system, not patches on the current one. This requires the development of a common core, combined with tailored initiatives, enabling schools/colleges to offer customized, personalised and cost effective solutions that do not break the bank. This approach also critically depends on having an agreed set of common skills to teach.”

It's interesting that employers in Sheffield, led by the Cutlers' Company, have done exactly that and worked together with schools to develop an agreed set of common skills, tailored initiatives and a curriculum model that delivers academic rigour and produces rounded and grounded young people who have the skills and behaviours that are essential in the world of work.

This approach lies at the heart of the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" Programme where we are developing strategies and approaches focused on academic and technical excellence, developing higher level skills and abilities, shaping character, resilience and grit and nurturing innovation and creativity. If you want to find out more about the work we are doing in Sheffield please let me know.

Chris