THE CULTURAL AMBASSADORS GET THEIR PASSPORTS NEXT WEEK!

Zeena Rashid and colleagues have been developing the Cultural Ambassador programme at Firth Park Academy over the last two years working with some brilliant partner organisations.

GET UP TO SPEED AGAIN!

The annual Get Up To Speed event was held at The Magna Science Adventure Centre on April 22nd. 

AT THE CUTLERS HALL AGAIN!

I was in Sheffield this morning meeting with the Cutlers' Engineering Committee which is guiding the Cutlers' Made in Sheffield scheme. It was wonderful to hear David Grey, the current Master Cutler, Doug Liversidge, who chairs the Cutlers' education committee, George Kilburn, the Chief Executive of the Cutlers' Company and three of the business champions for the engineering schools, all talking so positively and enthusiastically about what we have achieved. It is great that employers in Sheffield, led by the Cutlers' Company, have worked together with schools to develop a model that supports the delivery of the skills, behaviours and character traits that employers have told us are essential for the world of work.

THINK TEAM: THE STORY OF THE GEESE!

I have been thinking about the fragmented educational landscape and the important of teamwork and I love this story..."This Autumn, when you see the geese heading south for the winter, flying in a "V" formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way."

INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Bradfield School' team, working with PEGL, won the Innovation Challenge at this year's 'Get Up To Speed' event held yesterday at Magna.

CUTLERS' AMBASSADORS AT GET UP TO SPEED 2015!

The Year 10 Cutlers' Engineering Ambassadors were involved in planning and managing this year's 'Get Up To Speed' event at Magna.

GET UP TO SPEED WITH ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING 2015!

I was at Magna in Rotherham yesterday to attend 'Get Up To Speed 2015'. This brilliant event attracted record attendances and was was specifically designed for young people and their families and teachers to see some of the fastest vehicles, innovations and people on earth first hand, hear from and talk to those involved in their successes and learn about how their success has been achieved and the fundamental role design, engineering and manufacturing have played in that success.

ANYONE FOR COFFEE?

Where do the weeks go? I can't believe that it's Friday again...another week has flown by and I am constantly reminded that I don't do enough to stay in touch with friends and family and this great story reminds me about the things that really matter...

"A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was...

SCHOOL CHOICE AGAIN!

Another round of school allocations where parents and carers are unhappy with the school they have been given for their child, reminds us that we need develop a coherent systemic approach to help every school become a great school. And importantly, we need to develop learning leadership. beautiful systems and intelligent accountability!

AT WESTFIELD SCHOOL AGAIN!

I visited Westfield Sports College in Sheffield again yesterday morning to see Andy Ireland, the headteacher, and Gary Simmons, the deputy head teacher. Their vision, passion and commitment has helped us to drive the development of 'Made in Sheffield' over the last three years.

WHEN NOTHING IS SURE, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

It's sad that education hasn't really featured in the election to date and that people seem so much more interested in other things when education is the key to success in everything else.

THIS SATURDAY

THERE'S STILL NO MONEY!

With the election less than four weeks away, headteachers and governors understand that no-one will be offering increased public expenditure over the next Parliament and that the era of school budgets being protected is well and truly over.

A GREAT SCHOOL FOR EVERY CHILD AND YOUNG PERSON!

Why isn't it writ large in every party manifesto that we must work to create a great school for every child and young person, whatever it takes... because, if we can't, can someone tell me whose children should go to the schools that aren't great?

RELEASING THE MAGIC!

HAPPY EASTER!

"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."
Unknown

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY!

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts."

Bertrand Russell

"The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge."

Bertrand Russell

THIS GOOD FRIDAY REMEMBER THE THINGS THAT MATTER: FAITH, FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

We should all remember that when it comes down to what really matters... it's faith, family and friends that make life worth living!

BETTER LEARNERS, BETTER WORKERS!

Singapore (Teach Less, Learn More), Canada (Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec) and of course Finland are increasingly placing emphasis on teaching and developing the skills, attributes and character needed to succeed in school, the world of work and life in general.