THE WORLD OF WORK MATTERS!

"When it comes to recruiting young people, most employers, particularly smaller businesses, value experience above all other criteria. Too few young people are gaining experience of the world of work while still at school, college or university. This is contributing to fewer employers recruiting young people and finding that many of those are not adequately prepared for the world of work."  

WHAT REALLY MATTERS...

As The Sunday Times publishes the latest rubbish 

about the celebrities who are shaping our world 

remember why really matters...

REMEMBER THIS SATURDAY...

'MADE IN SHEFFIELD' WHERE SKILLS MATTER!

'Made in Sheffield' developed as a response to concerns expressed by employers about school leavers lack of employability skills and builds on evidence and research about what local employers need and the skills that young people need to succeed in work.

THE CUTLERS ENGINEERING SCHOOLS MEET AGAIN!

I was in Sheffield again yesterday with colleagues from the Cutlers' "Made in Sheffield" engineering schools who have worked with us, over the last three years, to develop this unique programme. A programme which helps young people develop skills, attributes and character and understand that anything can be achieved with persistence, determination and hard work.

THE CUTLERS ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MEETING!

I was in Sheffield this morning meeting with the Cutlers' Education Committee which is guiding the engineering strand of the Cutlers' Made in Sheffield scheme. 

Craig McKay, the current Master Cutler, Neil MacDonald, from the Cutlers' Executive committee, and George Kilburn, the Chief Executive of the Cutlers' Company are all passionate advocates for the scheme which now reaches around 500 young people from ten Sheffield secondary schools and Longley Park Sixth Form College and is working in ten key employment sectors.

GO AND SEE OPERA NORTH'S ANDREA CHENIER!

Last night, I was at the opening night of Opera North's production of the Giordano opera Andrea Chenier and it was simply wonderful... if you get the chance, go and see it!!

IT'S ALL ABOUT WHANAU AND WHAKAPAPA!

I have just finished reading 'Legacy 15 Lessons in Leadership' by James Kerr which explains what the All Blacks can teach us about the business of life. And it's great stuff...

WHAT DO YOU LOVE?

WE NEED DREAMERS, INVENTORS AND SCHOLARS!

EXPLORING OPEN BADGES!

I have been interested in Mozilla's Open Badges for a long time and want to find  a way to embed the digital, standards-based, open accreditation framework within the Cutlers' 'Made in Sheffield' scheme. I remember how my own children reacted on achieving their first 10m swimming badge, how students I have worked with talked about their scouts, cubs and brownies and guides activities and how young people feel about achieving badges, stamps, certificates and stickers. I worked with the Children's University and again saw how young children valued getting stamps and certificates and how it encouraged them to engage in activities and simply do things. And it isn't restricted to young people, my colleagues in York and Leeds all loved getting a certificate, sticker or letter recognising their achievements.

THE ARTS MATTER!

This week, I met with the colleagues from the partners and schools who are bringing the Arts, Culture and Sports sectors alive for some impressive young people at Firth Park Academy, Stocksbridge High School and Westfield School.

HOW TO CREATE HAPPY, ENGAGED PEOPLE!

TRY A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS TODAY!

MY NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS!

A new year and another opportunity to learn, help others, join something, go places, get organised, teach something to someone, read more, practice a new skill, create something wonderful, give something to someone special and inspire others to do the same!

A BETTER WAY!

Another year, another set of opportunities to make a difference and change the world. Wouldn't it be interesting if you could create great schools simply by changing the name, the governance and the leadership team, but it flies in the face of the evidence and the research.

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT ALL CLOUDS ARE NOT RAIN CLOUDS!

2015 has been a funny old year! My work in Sheffield has been a wonderful way to keep in touch with young people, colleagues and what really matters... what goes on in schools and classrooms!

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT... IT'S SKILLS THAT MATTER!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope that everyone who reads my blog has a happy, healthy, safe and successful 2016 and that it brings you and those you love and care about, peace, fulfillment and all the things you really, really want. Most importantly love what you are doing and simply be happy! And always remember that when it comes down to it the only things that really matter are faith, family and friends!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!