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...

I know a lot of people tell me that it is impossible but I really believe that it is possible to create a GREAT SCHOOL FOR EVERYONE!

TEACHING MATTERS MORE THAN EVER!

I saw this and thought of all those colleagues I have known over the years who make teaching and learning such a passionate enterprise and constantly strive to release the magic!

LEADERSHIP MATTERS MORE THAN EVER!

I am always talking about great leadership and increasingly I worry that we are not building the leadership we need to create brilliant provision for all our children and young people. It is interesting therefore to read and reflect on Maurice Elias' take on the subject. Maurice Elias is Director of the Social-Emotional Learning Lab at Rutgers and this is a truncated version of his brilliant article…

"How can we determine not only who is a competent leader, but a good leader?

STILL STRUGGLING TO MAKE CONTACT!

I am sorry that the blog has gone quiet over the last few weeks but I am still struggling, having moved home. with access to the internet. I often wonder how I coped before the world went digital but being without constant connection and access doesn't make life any easier!

REMEMBER...

"At the heart of every child... is a unique genius and personality.

What we should be doing is to allow the spark of that genius

to catch fire, to burn brightly and shine."

Michael Morpurgo

THE SKILLS THAT REALLY MATTER!

We need to persuade the powers that be that the future is only going to be secured if we develop a 21st Century Learning Framework to drive our learning landscape. A framework built on 21st Century Skills as well as subjects.

BE HAPPY!

Action for Happiness recognise in their‘Ten Keys to Happier Living”’– synthesised from all the happiness research - that being happy requires action and acceptance.

HAPPY SUNNY SUNDAY AND BELATED VALENTINES DAY WISHES!

Happy Sunny Sunday and belated Valentines Day best wishes

ANOTHER GREAT WEEK!!

It has been another interesting, challenging and hugely rewarding week… largely in Sheffield working with some great colleagues organising, managing and developing the Made in Sheffield programme, which is developing at a pace. 

BRILLIANT: Firth Park Academy's Cultural Ambassador Programme!

I started the day, yesterday, at Hillsborough College in Sheffield working with a fantastic group of colleagues developing the Firth Park Academy Cultural Ambassador Programme.

HILLSBOROUGH COLLEGE!

I was at Hillsborough College yesterday working with colleagues to explore how we could develop a sport, health and well-being strand as part of the 'Made in Sheffield' scheme.

DEVELOPING 'MADE IN SHEFFIELD'!

I have had some great meetings over the past few days with schools and employers keen to be involved in the next phase of Made in Sheffield'.

FIRTH PARK AGAIN!!

It has been a privilige to work with Firth Park Academy over the last two years and reassuring to know that it is one of the most improved schools in Sheffield. The passion, enthusiasm and belief shown by the team is fantastic!

CUTLERS' EDUCATION COMMITTEE AT THE SHEFFIELD UTC

I was in Sheffield again this morning with the Cutlers' Education Committee to look at how we continue to develop the work we have been doing this year with the engineering and advanced manufacturing sector and the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. We've been working with some great schools and colleges: Bradfield School, Firth Park Community Arts College, Forge Valley Community College, Meadowhead School Academy Trust, Stocksbridge High School, Yewlands Technology College, Longley Park Sixth Form College and Sheffield College.

WE MUST ALL CAMPAIGN FOR WHAT WORKS!!!

I am struggling this week without broadband but I am over in Sheffield again looking at how we continue to support and develop the Cutlers" Made in Sheffield programme which has the potential to engage with ten employment sectors and sixteen secondary schools and colleges in the city. It's a brilliant scheme rooted in research, evidence and data about what works!

Importantly the programme is led and supported by a rapidly growing group of businesses who are passionate about what we are trying to do and the skills we are developing in our young people… the skills employers need. To find out more contact me!

WHAT A WEEK!

It has been an interesting, challenging and hugely rewarding week full of highs and lows… moving out of temporary rented accommodation, moving into our new home, attending the funeral of a close friend, talking to a wonderful group of NQTs, students and staff at York St John’s University, working with the new leadership team at the Westwood/Clapgate primary schools federation and working with colleagues from Capita and Entrust to develop a powerful and compelling approach to school improvement.

CAPITA AND ENTRUST!

I was with some great colleagues from Capita and Entrust this week talking about ‘the keys to success’ and how to build brilliant provision and why, if it isn’t rocket science, provision in schools is so patchy and inconsistent. Why 80% of the variation is within schools and only 20% across schools. Why it doesn’t really matter which school a child or young person goes to, but it does matter which classroom they are in!!

WESTWOOD AND CLAPGATE PRIMARY SCHOOLS

I spent some time this week with the leadership team from the Westwood/Clapgate primary schools talking about ‘the keys to success’. I particularly enjoyed being able to kick off their development session and spend some time with such a young, passionate and committed group of colleagues.